"Mr. Seiberling was an early member of the Board of Park Commissioners and in 1929 he gave the first of many gifts, eventually totaling more than 400 acres, to help establish Sand Run Metro Park of which the Naturealm is a part. Mr. Seiberling also owned this very property from 1920 until 1948." (Taken from the Summit County Metroparks website at F.A. Seiberling Naturealm)
Naturealm has been developed as a unique place for nature study and relaxation. It is filled with unique gardens, ponds, trails and an underground nature center that is a delight for the child in everyone. We invite you to stroll this unique park and discover it's wonders. To help you do so, we have developed a tour of sorts that will take you to its most beautiful areas.
The grounds are open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
The underground nature center is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Sorry but no dogs or bicycles allowed.
The coordinates listed above are for parking. From there you will begin your adventure. You might want to pick up a map at the entrance to the park, or download it before you leave home by clicking here.
- The first stop on your tour is a the peaceful and fragrant Rock and Herb Garden. Here you will find a collection of 85 glacial erratics and more than 75 species of herbs. The rocks were found nearby when the settlers cleared away the forest for farming. The herbs are grouped into Medicinal, Aromatic, Arts and Crafts, and Culinary sections. In the midst of these you will find an old timepiece. Who was it placed in honor of?
- Move on now to the Butterfly Garden on the Seneca Trail. Which species of butterfly came from Europe and was accidentally introduced in Quebec in 1869? Feel free to explore the other fine features of this trail and the remarkable plantings that attract many other species of butterflies. Watch out for the rabbits! They're everywhere! * The answer to this question is Cabbage White. The butterfly garden has been removed and the sign with the answer is gone.
- The Naturealm Visitor's Center is a unique, environmentally sound underground structure which blends unobtrusively into the Naturealm landscape. There is a plaque embedded in a rock just outside the front doors of this building. In whose memory was it placed? Be sure to stop in and tour the building. It is filled with wonderful exhibits to delight everyone from child to adult!
- Look for the bench at Seneca Pond near the boardwalk. "Here we mingle in the mist that drifts then falls down in the rain..." What are the words on the sign directly behind the bench? Pause awhile and watch the birds that flit in and out of this area! You may even be treated to a visit by a curious squirrel or two. They are surprisingly tame, but refrain from feeding them!
- The arboretum features a collection of more than 300 varieties of trees and shrubs. Continue your tour through the weeping collection which is adorned by beautiful wire gazebos and then past the pyramidal and columnar collections. Winter and summer this area is magnificent. It is often used for wedding photos, creating a feeling of enchantment. A little further down the trail, you will find a few benches and plaques at Echo Pond. Have a seat on one of the benches and enjoy the wonders of nature on the lake in front of you. To whose memory is the overlook at Echo Pond dedicated?
To get credit for your visit as a find, please e-mail or message us the answers to the above five questions.
Still want more? There are 4 trails in the park which vary in length from 0.5 to 1.3 miles in length. One of them even has a suspension bridge!
We hope you enjoyed your tour and that you will return here often to discover the magic that each season holds as it transforms the land.