F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm

The 104-acre Nature Realm includes a 10,000-square-foot visitors center with exhibits, kids’ areas, live animals and a gift shop featuring educational and locally-made items. The grounds showcase a suspension bridge over a 45-foot-deep ravine, several gardens, plant identification, observation decks, two ponds, wetlands, hiking trails and a tall-grass prairie. Dogs are not permitted, since the park is a special-use area that has been set aside for the study and enjoyment of nature, including the hand-feeding of chickadees. Many parks exist due to the foresight of a few visionary individuals, including F.A. Seiberling. He donated more than 400 acres to expand Sand Run Metro Park. Land that he owned from 1920 to 1948 was purchased by Metro Parks in 1964 to become the Nature Realm. Native son Seiberling founded Goodyear Tire & Rubber in 1898. The company produced bicycle and carriage tires and went on to capture the automobile tire business. Seiberling's interests went well beyond tires. He helped form the original Akron Metropolitan Park District and was a member of the Board of Park Commissioners from 1924 to 1935.