Find Your Smile at Toledo Metroparks this Summer

There are always plenty of fun events and activities in and around the Toledo area year round. But if you want to stay in shape while enjoying the great outdoors, grab your walking shoes, a bottle of water, and your best summer smile and head over to one of our great Toledo Metroparks!

The Toledo Metropark system includes 14 unique parks that connect area residents and visitors alike with the all the sights, sounds, and beauty of nature. They are:

Bend View
Blue Creek
Fallen Timbers Battlefield
Farnsworth
Howard Marsh (New)
Middlegrounds (New)
Oak Openings
Pearson
Providence
Secor
Side Cut
Swan Creek
Westwinds
Wildwood
Wiregrass Lake
Toledo Botanical Garden (Affiliate)

At each one, you can enjoy a quiet walk, an exhilarating run, biking, birding, or photographing nature. Several metroparks even offer special activities such as canoeing, archery, horseback riding, and camping. (If you don’t mind a little chill in the air, you can enjoy the parks long after summer has ended – ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing add to the fun once the temperature drops.)

Find Friends and Get Fit

If you want to get fit with a few friends this summer and even into fall, Toledo Metroparks have some great group-fitness programs.

River Walks

Saturdays @ 9:00AM @ Farnsworth

Saturday morning River walks are a great way to build exercise into your day! Enjoy the scenic Maumee River, the comradery of a walking group, and learn about what’s going on that week in your metroparks.

Good Health is Just a Walk in the Park

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays @ 11:00am @ Wildwood Preserve

Everyone, it seems, is counting their steps. Toledo Metroparks are, too. Join us for a brisk walk on park trails and watch those steps add up. The pace gets your heart pumping and blood flowing on this 50- to 60-minute walk.

5K Walk/Run Events

Looking for a fitness challenge? Oak Openings, Side Cut, Pearson, and Secor metroparks sponsor special 5k walk/run events throughout the summer and fall. Note that registration for these events is required.

Into the Woods 5k Walk/Run Series

Box Turtle Boogie, Saturday, July 9 – 8 a.m. start, Oak Openings Preserve

Walleye Run, Sunday, August 14 – 8 a.m. start, Side Cut Metropark

Fox Trot, Saturday, September 10 – 8 a.m. start, Pearson Metropark

Coyote Crawl, Saturday, October 1 – 8 a.m. start, Secor Metropark

Under the Moon 5k Walk/Run Series

Tuesday, July 19 – 9:30 p.m., Oak Openings Preserve

Thursday, August 18 – 9:30 p.m., Side Cut Metropark

Friday, September 16 – 7:30 p.m., Pearson Metropark

Sunday, October 16 – 7 p.m., Secor Metropark

Healthy Body, Healthy Teeth

While you’re getting your body fit this summer, don’t forget about your teeth. Good dental health is key to your overall health. Researchers are finding links between periodontal disease and heart disease and strokes. In addition, instances of oral cancer are on the rise. So just like you set aside time to get your body into shape, set aside some time every day to keep your teeth and gums in shape with regular brushing and flossing.

At least twice a year, stop in and see your dentist for some one-on-one dental fitness coaching. Your dental professional will help keep your smile in great shape with routine cleanings and other important dental services.