AKRON, Ohio - While it's been eight years since Summit Metro Parks launched its mobile app, it remains a popular choice for park visitors, who have downloaded the app some 30,000 times.

"The people who use the app are very loyal to it," said Summit Metro Parks Marketing Coordinator Lindsay Smith.

Initially, the app was created as a way to offer mobile device users park information, as the park's website wasn't mobile-friendly at the time. Today, the app offers park visitors easy-to-access information about the Metro Parks' 16 different parks, including GPS-enabled directions for 125 miles of trails, downloadable maps, restroom locations and information about upcoming programs and events.

"We include our programs and events on the app and people have the ability to add an event directly to their calendar that is synched up to their phone," said Smith. "People really enjoy being able to browse through programs, and if they see something they really like, adding it right to their calendar."

The app also allows users to locate bird watching hotspots, which is information that is not available on the park's website.

"It's nice to know exactly where in the park district you can find them," Smith said.

Additional app features include:

Descriptions for the park system's 40 trails, with filters based on difficulty and distance

"Click-to-call" phone numbers for park rangers, administrative offices and the visitors center at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm

Locations of landmarks, fishing areas and sled hills

Information about lodges and shelters, which can be reserved

Park alerts, news, rules and regulations

Feedback for the app remains positive (4.5/5 star rating on Google Play based on feedback from 99 users), which is quite a feat considering the app was built on the budget-friendly platform Shoutem, which only costs the park $360 a year.

While the park doesn't have specific plans for updating the app, they are always evaluating how to make it better for park users.

The Summit Metro Parks app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store.

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