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CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio- Cuyahoga Falls police are investigating after the discovery of an improvised explosive device left along a hiking trail at the Gorge Metropark.

Police were called by metroparks rangers after a hiker found the device on Sunday.

The Summit County Bomb Squad responded and safely destroyed the device.

"The hiker found a small item that was cylindrical in shape, wrapped in duct tape with about eight inches of hobby fuse coming out of it," said Inspector Bill Holland of the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

Holland explained that the device was lying out in the open.

The park is in the midst of a fall hiking spree. Late Tuesday afternoon, park rangers were seen taking a group of young hikers along the same trail where the device was found.

Visitors at the park say it is a popular, busy place.

"It's pretty busy, especially in the summer. A lot of the day cares bring kids here and they play games there; they eat lunch here," said Cathy Blakely.

"It's a frequently used trail," said Holland, adding, "I use that trail, runners, hikers, people with their families. You could fish right by that trail. If it detonated near someone in close proximity it could cause serious bodily harm or even death, depending on where it was when it detonated."

While many of the calls about suspicious devices involve things that turn out to be harmless, what was found on Sunday was an actual explosive.

After learning about the discovery, many of the park visitors say regardless of whoever left the device in the park, you simply cannot assume anything about what their intentions might have been.

"It's just scary. You just never know; you just deal with life every day and stuff like that. Hopefully you are not at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Terry Pickenpaugh, who was hiking the park Tuesday with his wife.

Cuyahoga Falls police told FOX 8 they have not had calls from the area about people hearing explosions or setting off fireworks.

Authorities are encouraging people to call any time they feel something seems out of place.

"It's hard to determine what to tell people so they call you at the appropriate time. We just basically tell them to err on the side of caution. If it seems like it's out of place, it's been left somewhere, contact us. We will determine whether or not it's a dangerous device," Holland said.