Towner's Woods Park

Trails

Trail Icon	Trail Name	Miles	Surface Type	Rating	Description
	Lakeside Trail	.69	natural	3	Wide natural surface trail following Lake Pippen for gorgeous views from any point.
	Woodland Loop	.53	natural	2	Hilly loop through mature woods and wetlands. Includes one small picnic shelter along the trail.
	Ski Trail	1.45	natural	3	High and low undulating natural trail, most traveled and challenging path for cross country skiers. Winds through mature woods and the heart of the park making a large loop from the Woodland Loop trail all around the park.
	Meadow Link	.21	natural	2	A short, natural path linking the Ski Trail to Swann's Way through mature woods
	Swann's Way	.58	natural	3	Loop trail in the very center of the park, includes 4 connection points to other trails
	Ginseng Trail	.22	natural	2	A short, natural path linking the west side of the Ski Trail to the east side of the Ski Trail at the Ski Hut structure, a small shelter to take a rest under.
	Wetlands Trail	.61	natural	3	Natural and sometimes narrow path loops around a large wetland.
	Eagle Trail	.31	natural	3	A short loop at the northernmost point of the park. Beautiful overlook of Lake Pippen through the woods.
	Butterfly Trail	.57	natural	1	A natural, grassy trail through partial meadow and forest. Prime location to spot native plants, flowers, insects, butterflies and moths in warm months.

History & Resources

Towner’s Woods was acquired in phases by Portage County in the 1970s as a potential water supply, with a later addition by the Park District. It was developed as parkland and opened to the public in 1975. The property consists of 242 rolling acres of mixed forests, diverse wetlands, and meadows in Franklin and Ravenna Townships. The park is next to Lake Pippen, a pristine glacial kettle hole lake owned by the City of Akron. Foot trails throughout the park provide easy to strenuous hiking and renowned cross-country skiing through beautiful natural scenery and varied habitats.

Historically, 2,000 years ago the Hopewell Indians created a burial mound, located overlooking Lake Pippen which was excavated in the early 1900s. Towner’s Woods and The PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail are also located on the key Erie Railroad line. The 1913 Brady Interlocking Switch Tower was used to switch the lower set of train tracks (now Norfolk Southern). Now just used for storage, the building has great potential for other uses.

Hopewell Mound resources:

• Video tour: Walk to the Hopewell Mound
• Audio tour: Walk to the Hopewell Mound
• Hopewell Culture
• History of Towner's Woods by Allan Orashan
• Towner Mound: Creating content and sparking curiosity for the Portage Parks
• Ohio Archaeologist Spring 1982
• Dr. Greenman's Archaeological field notes

Towner’s Woods trailhead also provides access to the PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail between Kent and Ravenna.

Photo Gallery