Metro Parks, Serving Summit County is celebrating the fifth year of its Spree for All spring hiking program.

Like the popular Fall Hiking Spree, the Spree for All encourages residents to get out and get active by hiking some of the trails throughout the county. But the Spree for All was started to give people of all abilities the chance to participate in a hiking program.

“For years we heard form seniors and folks with young families that some of the trails in the Fall Hiking Spree are too difficult,” said Nathan Eppink, chief of marketing and communications for Metro Parks. “So instead of changing the Fall Hiking Spree, we thought, ‘There’s an opportunity to create something new here.’”

Park district officials also thought it would be good to have a hiking program in the spring, when people are excited to get out and hit the trails.

All of the trails — 12 in Metro Parks, three in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and two at Summa Health System locations — have been tested by clients from United Disability Services.

“They are approved for wheelchairs, canes, walkers, strollers and people on foot,” Eppink said. “They have a minimal grade, easy surfaces and shorter distances.”

To participate in the Spree for All, which began May 1 and ends June 30, hikers must hike five times on any of the 17 trails marked for the hiking program. Participants can hike one trail five times or hike five different trails.

Like the Fall Hiking Spree, hikers record their hikes on a form. After the fifth hike, hikers receive an award for their success. First-time Spree for All participants receive a neck lanyard and commemorative pin. Veteran hikers receive a pin for their lanyard.

In the past four years, more than 11,000 awards were presented to participants, Eppink said. The program has not reached the popularity yet of the Fall Hiking Spree, which typically gives out 12,000 or more hiking awards each year, but Eppink said the park district hopes to see the program grow.

“Participation is nowhere near that of the Fall Hiking Spree, but there’s a good, solid base,” said Eppink, noting the fall event will celebrate its 45th year this year.

The park district would like to see more people take advantage of the spring program.

“We would like to encourage people of all abilities to get out in the spring and experience it, too,” Eppink said.

Each trail has markers noting the distance of 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and 1 mile. Hikers can choose which distance they want to hike.

Trails included in Spree for All in the West Side Leader coverage area are: The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath at the Ira Trailhead, Big Bend Area, Mustill Store and Memorial Parkway, all in Akron; the Overlook trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park, Akron; the Everett Road Covered Bridge trail and Horseshoe Pond trail, in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Peninsula; the Arboretum and Herb Garden trail at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, West Akron; the Old Portage Area jogging trail in Sand Run Metro Park, West Akron; the Brushwood Area trail in Furnace Run Metro Park, Richfield; and the Summa Center at White Pond, West Akron.