The land is set to become the district’s 17th Metro Park and will be located on Boughton Road in Copley.
Summit Metro Parks has recently received a generous donation of 87 acres of land from the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. This new area is set to become the 17th Metro Park in Copley, Ohio, located on Boughton Road.
The land, previously known as the historic Boughton Farm, was acquired by the Land Conservancy in late 2024. The Boughton family, who had owned the property for over a century, decided to sell it to ensure that it would be preserved as a green space for the local community to enjoy.
Lisa King, the Executive Director of Summit Metro Parks, expressed gratitude for this significant donation. She emphasized the importance of making parks accessible to everyone and mentioned plans to restore the land for the community’s benefit. The goal is to create a welcoming space where residents of Copley and all of Summit County can engage with nature in a clean and safe environment.
The newly donated property consists of fields, wetlands, forests and streams and is expected to be restored before it opens as a Metro Park. The restoration process, funded by H2Ohio, will be led by the Land Conservancy in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, as well as Summit Metro Parks conservation staff.
Summit Metro Parks will begin master planning the site in the coming years. While the final layout is still in development, officials have indicated the future park could feature amenities like a public parking lot and hiking trails.
“The Land Conservancy is thrilled to be partnering with Summit Metro Parks for the long-term ownership and management of the property,” said Andy McDowell, Vice President of Western Field Operations. “This project would not have been possible without committed landowners, great conservation partners and dedicated funders, including Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and H2Ohio.”
