Developing strategies. Designing experiences.
Founded in 1921, Summit Metro Parks is the second oldest park district in Ohio. They manage 14,000 acres, including 16 parks, several conservation areas, and more than 150 miles of trails, including 22 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Annual attendance in 2020 was six million visits.
The overarching goal of this project was to make information easier to find, whether it was information on parks, trails, alerts, activities, or other important content. To accomplish this, the site required a strong information architecture. Through bold, straightforward navigation, we made it easy for users to find what they need using large dropdown menus. The homepage features a prominent, custom-built photo rotator that showcases upcoming events, which we know are very popular with visitors.
One of the most unique elements of the site is a custom-developed Park & Trail Finder that allows users to further explore everything Summit Metro Parks has to offer. Users can search by current location powered by GPS technology, or search by zip code, and then filter their search by trail type, trail difficulty, activities, and amenities. The goal of this custom-built tool was not only to help users find the exact information they need, but also to remind them of the variety of parks and activities available.
This mobile-friendly website also caters to users who are on the go by putting information such as park alerts, parks and trails, and things to do at the forefront. Overall, the redesign of the Summit Metro Parks website has been a huge success, as it caters to repeat visitors, newcomers, and everyone in between.
