BATH TWP.: Don’t drive to Bath Township to see LeBron James’ house. Fans may have gotten a rare opportunity to see the king returning home from last month’s NBA championship, but it is highly unlikely you’ll see anything more than his gated driveway.
However, do drive to Bath to take advantage of some great restaurants, unique retailers, scenic parks and attractions.
To help our readers take better advantage of the amenities in our region, the Beacon Journal is spotlighting a different community each week. We’ve made some obvious picks, but also enlisted local officials, residents, Facebook fans and our own expert staff writers to round out our list.
This week: 10 things to do in Bath Township.
• Trustee’s Choice, by Elaina Goodrich: The Bath Nature Preserve can be accessed from either 4160 Ira Road or from the tunnel across from Chief Logan at Bath Community Park, 1650 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road. “It’s a treasure trove of things to do,” Goodrich said. The 411-acre preserve offers hiking, biking, nature, equestrian and cross country ski trails. “Specific places in the preserve are Sled Ride Hill, the Observation and Fishing Deck on Bath Pond, the University of Akron Field Station presenting various walks and talks, Bath Community Garden and the Regal Beagle shelter with its wood-fired brick oven.” Watch for seasonal events at www.bathtownship.org under “Parks.”
• If you stop in at the Smith Brothers Garden Center, don’t be startled by the tubby mascot waddling through the aisles. Petunia, a “micro mini pig” that looks neither micro nor mini, is the one in the pink collar. The 3-year-old store at 1285 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road is open year round and features gifts and outdoor decor items in addition to its flowery offerings. Sign up at the store to get on their email list and you’ll learn about gardening classes. The center will even host a fairy garden birthday party for your youngster. Then drive down the street to 2368 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road to check out The Gardener of Bath, another popular destination for outdoor lovers. Visit www.thegardenerofbath.com to learn more.
• Shop Hop by our home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge: Lovely Somethings “calls itself a ‘modern paper boutique’ because the term ‘stationery shop’ doesn’t quite do justice to its selection of paper goods. You’ll find journals, wrapping paper, gifts, coloring books and more, plus note cards and greeting cards – some of them laugh-out-loud funny.” Located in Ghent Square at 843 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, it’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
• Food Fix by our food columnist Katie Byard: The Bake Shop in Ghent at 800 Wye Road “is a 30-year-old gem in a roughly 170-year-old home. Enjoy homespun goodies, including sticky buns and various breads, and ice cream cakes from Velvet, a Utica, Ohio, company.” There is no public restroom at the shop but the ladies have set up four tables for those who’d like to hang out while they eat their tart and drink some coffee, or take advantage of daily-made soups and sandwiches during the lunch hour. Note: The shop will be closed July 28-Aug. 16. Otherwise, the regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, and closed Mondays. Learn more at www.bakeshopinghent.com.
• Hale Farm and Village is a regional attraction owned by the Western Reserve Historical Society and features a collection of historic structures that help visitors experience what life was like in Northeast Ohio 200 years ago. Hale Farm is open Wednesdays through Sundays during the summer, weekends in the fall, and for special winter holiday events. Located at 2686 Oak Hill Road, you can find ticket information, an events schedule and other details at https://www.wrhs.org/plan-your-visit/hale-farm.
• Social Media Shout-out: Facebook fans love to stop in for reuben pizzas and bacon fat boy burgers at Gasoline Alley. They also highly recommend the Bloody Mary — “virgin or regular, mind you, it is quite spectacular” one patron said. Find it at 870 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road.
• O’Neil Woods Metro Park, 2550 Martin Road, is a 300-acre former farm that offers pet-friendly picnicking and hiking. For the hearty, the challenging Deer Run Trail follows a path worn by white-tailed deer and provides scenic views of the Cuyahoga River Valley. See a map at www.summitmetroparks.org/oneil-woods-metro-park.aspx.
• For history lovers, Bath Township Historical Museum is one of those rare community historic structures with regular public hours. Located at 1241 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, admission is free and hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon on the last Saturday of each month. The current exhibit is called Downton Bath, 1900-1950; learn more at www.bathhistoricalsociety.org. Park across the street and you’ll find the Bath Township Veterans Memorial honoring vets from the American Revolution through Desert Storm.
• It’s the 60th year for Western Reserve Playhouse, a community theater that offers three productions each year from June through September. Visit www.westernreserveplayhouse.org to learn about the latest offering (Love Letters will be performed in July and August) or even how to audition yourself. The playhouse is in a barn with seating for 100, located just inside the township’s northern limits at 3326 Everett Road.
• Date Night, by residents Charlie and Carolyn Balogh: A special evening may find this couple at Lanning’s, where “the food is outstanding and the window view of the Yellow Creek is simply romantic.” Then stop for a nightcap at Ken Stewart’s Tre Belle, where you can play some bocce ball outside if you’re feeling particularly energetic. See the menu for Lanning’s, 826 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, at www.lannings-restaurant.com. For Ken Stewart’s, at 1911 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, visit http://kenstewarts.com/tre-belle.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.