Northeast Ohio residents are not new to the beautiful parks in Summit County. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a favorite of many because of its many trails and unique aspects, including Brandywine Falls and the Towpath Trail. There are over 125 miles of trails. 

Chagrin Falls junior Kate McLain enjoys the outside and had a lot to say about the survey results. 

“I like to hike and go on walks, but I wish I did it more often. Sometimes I feel like I take advantage of where I live and how easy it is for me to access really pretty parks and go on hikes. If I had time I would definitely hike more and spend more time in nature,” she said.

Travel Lens is a popular website focused on helping its viewers make the most of their time. It offers unique studies on restaurants, hotels, activities, and parks. In a recent study by Travel Lens, The Cuyahoga Valley National Park was ranked second out of ten unique parks. 

The study took many factors into consideration, including the number of recreational visitors, entrance fee, distance to the closest city and percentage of park reviews that describe the specific park as “beautiful”. It shocked some Chagrin Falls High School students that a park so close to them could be ranked just below the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and above the Olympic National Park. 

Senior Riley Myers said, “I knew that the parks close to us were really pretty, but I did not expect it to rank so high.” 

She goes on to explain that she used to be a frequent hiker, especially during the beginning of Covid, when people were encouraged to partake in outdoor activities to stay healthy both physically and mentally. 

“Hearing about the survey results is motivating. It makes me want to go outside and hike, but I might wait until the weather warms up,” said Myers. 

On the other hand, senior Ellie Johnson frequently visits the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 

“I spend a lot of my time outside at different parks because of my horse. Her name is Melody, and one of my favorite things to do with her is explore new parks. I think my favorite trail that’s part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Boston Trailhead because it’s made safe for horses and that way I don’t need to worry about running into any problems,” said senior Ellie Johnson. 

“I go to the park no matter the weather, but I definitely visit more during the summer. It’s easier because it’s warmer and I have a lot more free time,” Johnson said. 

In addition to being popular amongst Chagrin Falls High School students, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park sees 2.76 recreational visitors. According to the survey it is also only three miles away from the village of Peninsula. There are plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy, including fishing events and a ride along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. 

Senior Ellie Johnson said, “I think more people should take advantage of the parks.”