INSIDE AKRON: Akron Documenters are fanning out across the city’s 24 neighborhoods to elevate places, faces, voices and vibes — as shared by the people who live there. Expect a new profile every day through October.
Correction: Archwood Avenue runs along the northern boundary of the Firestone Park neighborhood. A previous version of this story listed a different road.
Nestled just south of downtown Akron and east of Kenmore is a gem of a neighborhood known for its close-knit community, unique small businesses and, like many other places in our city, friendly people.
Firestone Park, framed on its north side by Archwood Avenue and on the south by Waterloo Road, bears the name of one of Akron’s founding rubber companies and, like the company it’s named after, was instrumental in Akron’s early history. Harvey S. Firestone, in competition with his counterpart at Goodyear, Frank A. Seiberling, helped design the neighborhood’s walkability and intentionally mixed housing styles for a variety of income levels.
That intention is apparent today. Whether you’re walking in the neighborhood’s namesake park or browsing one of its small businesses, it’s easy to feel at home in Firestone Park — even if you’re just stopping by.
Akron Documenter Bishop Cameron Nelson is the primary contributor for this story. He is from East Akron and lives in Cuyahoga Falls. He has been a Documenter since December of 2023. Learn more about Documenters, including how to join.
Documenters Bishop Cameron Nelson and London Green spoke with residents to learn their thoughts about the community where they live and work.
Small Business Perspective & Voice of the People
Blessed by the Barber Barbershop, 1769 S. Main St.
Pastor Anthony Mason has lived and worked in the neighborhood for 15 years.
Tell me about the purpose of your business?
Besides providing haircuts and other such services, Pastor Mason states on his website that his barbershop eliminates gaps in the community. His business focuses on safety, spiritual encouragement and awareness while demonstrating professionalism, skill and quality work performance.
A favorite verse of his from the King James version of the Bible (Jude 1:22) explores having compassion for others making a difference in people’s lives.
How does your organization fit into or support Firestone Park?
Pastor Mason said the motivation behind the barbershop is for it to be an umbrella for his ministry. This includes networking, charity and community outreach. He offers free haircuts and does other volunteer work in the neighborhood.
In the barbershop he encourages talks about healthy living — an issue that can impact the lives of clients and other visitors.
What is the most interesting thing about the neighborhood?
Pastor Mason said it is the diversity of people, many of whom have different backgrounds and nationalities.
What is missing from Firestone Park, or what’s the biggest challenge?
More grant funding for business owners would be good, Mason said. He also suggested that Firestone Park churches encourage their members to be more involved with others in the community.
He also believes his neighbors are committed to self-improvement and want to help others. Still, he stressed that love for each other is the biggest neighborhood need.
Pastor Mason said people need to be paid more at their jobs. Also, more programs that explain financial literacy and how to access funding for first-time home buyers would be helpful. For children, he said free access to the nearby Firestone Park YMCA ( with parental approval) would be great.
Where is the Firestone Park neighborhood in Akron?
Firestone Park is located in south Akron and was originally built as housing for factory workers. The neighborhood boasts a variety of housing options, some eclectic retail areas and a strong sense of community.
How has the neighborhood changed over the time you’ve lived here?
He’s noticed that more families and businesses are moving out of Firestone Park. Pastor Mason would also like to see more Black-owned restaurants.
What else do you want people to know about Firestone Park?
Firestone Park is the best neighborhood in the City of Akron, he said.
Pastor Mason said the way the neighborhood exists today is linked to when Harvey Firestone started building homes for Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. employees in 1915.
Pastor Mason said this created close-knit interactions for families who lived and worked in the same neighborhood. The early neighborhood provided a blueprint of how a community could thrive, and he believes that synergy continues today in Firestone Park.
VOICE OF PEOPLE: Virginia “Ginnie” Abell
Ginnie has lived in Firestone Park, in two different locations, for nearly 40 years.
What is the most interesting thing about your neighborhood?
“It just kept expanding,” she said. Ginnie has always been interested in the historical development of her neighborhood. She said when Harvey Firestone, one of the first global makers of automobile tires, built Firestone Park and surrounding amenities such as churches and schools, he envisioned a community specifically for his workers.
What is missing from your Firestone Park?
Ginnie feels that what’s missing is appropriate assisted living. There’s assisted living for adjusted incomes, “but if you want to, you have a middle income or a little better, you have nothing if you want to stay in Firestone Park,” she said.
Ginnie’s also concerned about the evolution of Aster Avenue’s business district. There used to be a theater, bakery and pharmacy within the district. The area doesn’t reflect the space that used to be filled with small businesses.
How has the neighborhood changed over the time you’ve lived here?
The neighborhood has changed pretty radically over the years, she said. This includes changes related to hospital mergers and consolidation of small businesses. Ginnie said even the boundaries of what’s considered the Firestone Park neighborhood change every few years as city planners redraw maps and ward boundaries.
What’s the biggest challenge facing your neighborhood, and how do you think it can be solved?
For Ginnie, the challenge is the misconception that people who don’t live within the neighborhood have.
“There are two sets of people: Either they’ve never been in Akron or they moved out to the suburbs and are the worst supporters of Firestone Park,” Ginnie said.
The remedy? Ginnie suggests that community members attend ward meetings to gain a better understanding of the area.
What else do you want people to know about your neighborhood?
“There are many nostalgic places, like the life of a small town,” Ginnie said. She also added that people should know about the schools and businesses, and, most importantly, be able to socialize with neighbors.
What made her return to the neighborhood after living on the north side of Akron?
“I’m definitely interested in history and very interested in carrying on what your family has done,” said Ginnie, a fourth-generation Akronite.
Public space profile:
Firestone Park and Firestone Stadium
Firestone Park was developed in 1915 with a purchase of 1,000 acres. It was developed with houses, churches and businesses, according to Summit Memory, a project of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. The logistics of building 600 homes in one year was applauded at the time. The Firestone Park neighborhood offered affordable housing and amenities for Firestone employees. Community services were also taken into consideration with the development and design.
Nearby Firestone Stadium was developed in 1925, according to a City of Akron press release about the 100th anniversary of the stadium. At first, Firestone Stadium was for Firestone employees. Eventually, it was donated to the City of Akron.
Babe Ruth once played a game at the stadium (1921).
In the early 2000s, Firestone Park included basketball courts and the Firestone Park Community Center. The courts were removed in recent years.
The facility now offers a book club as well as fitness, knitting and sewing classes. Community meetings are held at the community center.
