June 3 Ward 9 meeting
Covered by Documenter Melanie Mohler (see her notes here)
Beautified properties in the City of Akron and, specifically, the Kenmore neighborhood can be nominated for awards from Keep Akron Beautiful and the Kenmore Community Development Corp.
Keep Akron Beautiful’s Beautification Watch Program
The Keep Akron Beautiful Beautification Watch Program has been giving awards to property owners since 1981.
Recipients are nominated by volunteers who drive a designated route that takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours to complete. There are 45 routes total — volunteers will be provided with a booklet where they will record addresses and take notes about standout homes and businesses along their routes.
In order to be nominated for an award, judges are looking for areas that are litter free and well-maintained with flowers, shrubs and trees. The property should stand out from its surroundings and be free of weeds.
“We appreciate people taking pride in their property and that space [where] we live. That’s our whole mission,” said Emma Segedy, director of development and community outreach at KAB.
“It’s really good to focus on the beautiful things in the world,” she said, in the midst of all of the crazy things that happen.
In 2024, KAB handed out a total of 4,276 awards — 4,111 were residential awards and 165 were business awards. Some 2024 recipients included Akron Children’s hospital, the Carovillese Lodge & Club, the Dairy Queen in North Hill. Many of the City of Akron’s fire stations also made the list.
Canvassing began on July 1 and will end on July 31. Volunteers will have about a month to complete their assigned routes and turn in their nominations. Awards will be issued starting in September.
More information can be found at KAB’s website if you want to nominate a home or business or volunteer.
Kenmore Community Development Corp.’s Keep Kenmore Beautiful Award
As part of the City of Akron’s Neighborhood Partnership Program, Kenmore Community Development Corp. has created the “Keep Kenmore Beautiful” Award. The program seeks to keep Kenmore residents engaged with their community.
Kenmore CDC volunteers will canvas the neighborhood with a focus on landscaping — the routes take around 2 hours to complete.
Kenmore CDC volunteers aren’t just focusing on homes that look nice – they are looking for homes with spectacular landscaping. Businesses can also be nominated. KAB will provide training materials to help guide volunteers with the canvassing process. The Kenmore program is derived from KAB’s program, and works with its support.
“There’s a perception out there of what Kenmore is or isn’t. We want to instill some pride, not only locally, but to showcase that there are residents who take care of their property,” said Eleni Manousogiannakis, the executive director of the Kenmore CDC.
Nominations are due in mid-July. Officials will give several finalists a large yard sign indicating they have been selected. A September reception will honor one winner who will also receive an award and certificate.
To volunteer, visit Kenmore CDC’s website.
