GREEN: Although it’s geographically the largest suburb in Summit County, Green doesn’t get enough credit for everything within its borders.
Its 34 square miles are served by six post offices, and addresses here typically end in “Akron,” “Clinton,” “North Canton” or “Uniontown” when their true physical location is Green.
So let’s set the record straight on some must-see attractions in the city.
To help our readers take better advantage of the amenities our region has to offer, the Beacon Journal is publishing a series of stories each spotlighting a different community. We’ve made some obvious picks, but also enlisted local officials, residents, Facebook fans and some of our own expert staff writers to round out our list.
This week: 10 things to do in Green.
• Mayor’s Choice, by Gerard Neugebauer: MAPS Air Museum is run by the Military Aircraft Preservation Society and located at the Akron-Canton Airport, with its entrance at 2260 International Parkway. “This is a great local museum with a large display of restored military aircraft and a very special Gallery of Heroes telling the stories of some of our local veterans of war. In addition to the nearly 35,000 visitors that come to the museum each year, the 700 MAPS members logged an incredible 55,000 volunteer hours last year restoring aircraft and making their visitors welcome.” The museum is open every day but Monday, although it closes by 4:30 p.m. most days. Adult admission is $8. Learn more at http://mapsairmuseum.org.
• Boettler Park. Located at 5300 Massillon Road, this 63-acre spread hosts two playgrounds, walking trails, protected wetlands, a stocked fishing pond, tennis, basketball and sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, soccer fields, two pavilions for rent, and the 1885 Lichtenwalter Schoolhouse. Picnicking is also a favorite activity at this family-friendly attraction. Not enough? Boettler is adjacent to Southgate Park, which has another five miles of natural trails, more stocked ponds and more historic buildings. Visit http://www.cityofgreen.org/boettler-park.
• Food Fix by our food columnist Katie Byard: The Twisted Olive “features Italian dishes with a healthy dash of American flair. Its owners are the same folks behind Gervasi Vineyard in Canton. Twisted Olive, like Gervasi, is a big place, but still cozy. In a former sprawling home, Twisted Olive overlooks two small lakes that previously were park property.” The entrance is at 5430 Massillon Road. If you’re on a budget, go for $5 appetizers from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays. On nice weather days, be sure to sit on the deck. http://www.thetwistedolive.com.
• YMCA Camp Y-Noah. This place is a destination for thousands of area kids who come here for summer camps and outdoor education activities. The camp also has an equestrian center that can be rented for birthday parties. Located at 815 Mount Pleasant Road, you can check out the opportunities at http://www.akronymca.org/campynoah.
• Date Night, by residents Tammy and Bob Daley: Giant Eagle Market District. Yes, that’s a supermarket. But it becomes much more on Friday nights when the store features wine and food tasting — six pairings for $6 — from 6 to 8 p.m. The Daleys settle their three youngsters in at the pizza bar, then make the rounds. “They have an in-house chef and he really puts time and effort into the menu,” Tammy Daley said. “There’s live music, and they do a different theme every Friday.” The store is at 1700 Corporate Woods Parkway.
• Nimisila Reservoir. The water attraction on South Main Street was taken over by Summit Metro Parks last year, which promised to spruce up facilities and add programs. The 811-acre attraction, which had been part of Portage Lakes State Park, is coveted for its fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, rowing and duck hunting opportunities. The park has an adjacent camping ground that was closed this year but is expected to reopen next summer.
• Social Media Shout-out, by Beacon Facebook fans: Shaffer’s Market, at 8 West Turkeyfoot Lake Road, is a destination for many families in the region, with its locally grown produce and homemade sweet treats. The local icon has been around since the 1970s. Hours and more detail at https://www.facebook.com/shaffersmarket.
• Turkeyfoot Lanes. Bowling anyone? The lanes, at 3911 S. Main St., has a pro shop and offers lessons and bowling clinics. Check http://turkeyfootlanes.com for the open bowling schedule.
• Shop Hop, by our home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge: Hoffman’s Water X Scapes Garden Center “is the place to shop in the Akron area for pond and water gardening supplies, and it also carries a good selection of nursery plants. I like strolling the grounds to see all the water features the staff has installed and imagine myself building one in my own yard. Yeah, right.” Located at 1021 E. Caston Road, its summer hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Visit http://waterxscapes.com.
• You would be hard-pressed to find a city with more golf courses per capita. Green boasts five. So grab your clubs and head to: Chenoweth Golf Course, 18 holes, 3087 Chenoweth Road, 330-644-0058. Mayfair Country Club, 18 holes, 2229 Raber Road, 330-699-2209. Prestwick Country Club, 18 holes, 2220 Raber Road, 330-699-3991. Raintree Country Club, 18 holes, 4330 Mayfair Road, 330-699-3232. Turkeyfoot Lake Golf Links, 27 holes, 294 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, 330-644-5971.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.