Okay, I'm pretty new to parkour. Can do some simple stuff but that's about it. And I've come to realize there are very few good places to practice in/near Akron. I am looking for a place that has good stuff for beginners, is realtively safe, and is not in a heavily populated area. (And somewhere the cops won't get mad at you for jumping off of things
). So I decided to make a list of places I know in the hope that other people would comment and add on to this list. So here's what I got so far
Parkour Training Spots
in/near Akron, OHFirestone Park – one picnic table, some very small walls, plenty of benches, monkey bars, two playgrounds, a raised area with rails behind the school (see note) and some small to medium walls. *Note* Area behind school has very loose cement and trash. Not necessarily completely safe.
Firestone Metro Park – lots of picnic tables (although not always in good spots) Trails are mostly flat, good for jogging but not really for parkour.
Gorge Metro Park – picnic tables, plenty of rocks to scramble up (do so at your own risk, it’s also against park regulations because it causes erosion), wooden rail/staircase area near dock (good for practicing basic turn vaults etc.), some good running trails with roots, rocks, etc., and some medium sized “rock walls/boulders.”
Cuyahoga Falls – The RiverFront – have not tried parkour there yet, but I have been there and saw someone doing parkour there (Although I didn’t know that’s what he was doing at the time – scared the crap out of me, it’s a long story). Plenty of rails, wooden railings, benches, some walls and stairwells/staircases. That’s really all I saw of it. I’d like to go explore soon. Don’t know how populated the area is.
University of Akron – benches, rails, some small walls, some larger walls, square/block fountain structure in the center of campus that they never turn on, and picnic tables (you have to watch out though. Test the table first. TONS of them are wobbly and probably about to break.). There are lots of places to practice there but the different areas with cool stuff are very spread out and, as you would expect, being a university it is very populated, especially during the semester, but even over summer. *Note* I’m not quite sure if it’s completely allowed. I’ve never been questioned (only stared at by curious people) and if you don’t attend the university it shouldn’t be a problem. The worst they could do is kick you off the campus. But if you attend there, consequences could be worse. I really have no idea of the legality of it. Just don’t so anything crazy (no rooftops) and I think you’d be fine.
Sand Run Metro Park – haven’t been there in years. Have no clue about parkour stuff there. Though I heard they have good, steep running trails.
Downtown Akron – yet again, no clue. Been there but never paid attention to what you could do there.
Rolling Acres – haven’t done parkour there but that area is not the most ideal place for anything. Just a bit scary. Ever wonder why rolling acres is now pretty much empty?
That's what I got now. I'll add to the list as I go exploring. Please if you know of any areas in/near Akron. List them here. Thank you.
