Eufrancia Lash has long heard that Akron families take their young children to parks in neighboring communities.
That’s why he wants Hardesty Park’s playground, part of an open, grass-covered 17-acre space in the Wallhaven neighborhood, to serve as a closer option. And not just for adults and children who live near the west side park.
“We want to change that narrative,” said Lash, who oversees the city’s parks, which encompass approximately 1,500 acres. “And we want to invest in our area and make that a destination for young families and families in general.”
Lash is one of several city leaders who are reimagining Hardesty Park as one of Akron’s destination parks — a gathering spot that encourages fitness, business development and connectivity.
But it’s just the beginning: Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and his administration are scheduled this week to discuss opportunities to revitalize other city-owned parks through grants that Emma Lieberth Osborn, the city’s policy and grants strategist, said would be “transformational.”
“We hear a lot from families that they’re going out to Stow and to the Falls and to Hudson now, and Fairlawn — Croghan Park — and the question is like, ‘Why not Akron? Why can’t we have one of these big marquee parks?’” Lieberth Osborn said.
Lash estimates that the cost of Hardesty Park’s yet-to-be-designed playground could range anywhere from $500,000 to $1.5 million, depending on its scope and the availability of funding.
During the project’s ongoing capital campaign, approximately $260,000 has been collected in funding and donations. The goal is to raise an additional $150,000 before breaking ground later this year on phase one of the two-phase project.
These funds include a $10,000 donation from 7 17 Credit Union, one of Wallhaven’s newest business neighbors.
“We donated funds to contribute to the park because we believe in investing in the communities we move to,” said 7 17 Credit Union CEO John Demmler, whose organization in recent months has opened two locations in Akron and a third nearby in Stow. “We’re here for the neighborhoods surrounding the Wallhaven area. We’re invested in Akron, and in building a stronger community.”
Also, the city and the Akron Parks Collaborative recently obtained $100,000 in state capital funding for Hardesty Park improvements.
Lash and Lieberth Osborn spoke at Wednesday’s Ward 8 meeting, sharing renderings that offered residents a glimpse of what a reimagined Hardesty Park could look like.
“I think they’ve done a fantastic job,” said Ward 8 City Council Member Bruce Bolden. “Just to see an idea of what we’re talking about, it’s just going to be fantastic.”
Why Hardesty Park — and why now?
- The park enjoys the city’s longest reservation list for its amenities — residents and visitors use it for everything from birthday parties to family reunions.
- An undisclosed local organization approached city leadership, stating its members wanted to invest in the park.
- The park is served by METRO RTA Route 26 (West Exchange/White Pond) and Route 1 (West Market).
- Lieberth Osborn said Wallhaven’s business district is the closest of its kind to sit adjacent to an Akron playground or park.
“We want young families to be able to take their kids to parks and also feel that they’re getting the best, right?” Lieberth Osborn said. “But you know, when you think about [the] whole person experience, it’s go get a cup of coffee at Nervous Dog, have lunch at Barrelhouse or Los Cabos, do your shopping at Acme Fresh Market, right?
“Like, when we think about that, we want walkability.”
These 5 cities invested in parks. Economic growth followed
Several small to mid-sized U.S. cities have leaned on outdoor spaces to rebrand or upgrade their identities, allowing them to attract and retain residents.
The parks, which range from Smale Riverfront Park (Cincinnati) and Gathering Place (Tulsa, Oklahoma) to Palls Park on the Reedy (Greenville, South Carolina), have become destinations, as well as economic-development assets.
A 2024 study by the Trust for Public Land found that U.S. cities experiencing economic growth — regardless of size or location — are investing more in parks and open spaces. The case study evaluated outdoor spaces in:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Plano, Texas
- Boise, Idaho
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
From 2011-2021: The job growth rate in each of the five case study cities was on par, or higher than, the national average.
More about Hardesty Park in Akron
Hardesty Park (1615 Wallhaven Dr.) is already one of the most utilized parks in Akron. City officials say the park attracts about 25,000 people annually.
Hardesty Park is also the longtime site of annual events such as Taste of Akron, the Akron Food Truck Festival, Akron Expo, Akron’s summer concert series, sporting events on its baseball and soccer fields and other events.
Its current features include:
- A covered shelter (61 feet by 21 feet), which includes 10 picnic tables and parking. Reservations are accepted from April through October.
- A baseball and soccer field.
- Three outdoor electric grills.
- Indoor restrooms.
- A walking path encompassing the park.
A city pilot, known as the Hardesty Park Meadow Project, debuted its first meadow planted in a city park. The project stretches across 8,000 square feet of the park’s northwest corner at the intersection of Wallhaven Drive, Sabetha Place and Alton Drive.
What features should officials add to a playground in 2026?
City officials will spend this fall envisioning Hardesty Park’s updated playground.
Merry-go-rounds, mazes and monkey bars? Seesaws, sandboxes, slides and swings?
Or climbing walls, splash pads and ADA-compliant zip lines?
All signs are pointing to new features.
Most of Hardesty Park’s current playground equipment was installed in 1994.
Lash said one of the first steps is understanding what kids want to play on — with assistance from the public. City officials are seeking community feedback during two upcoming engagement sessions that will be held at the park.
- Aug. 28 — 4 to 6 p.m.
- Sept. 12 — 10 a.m. to noon
Lash cited Stow’s Adell Durbin Park as an area park Akron city officials hope to learn from. The 34-acre park’s features include a large play area, hiking trails, a wildflower meadow and lit tennis courts.
“You can’t just throw up some swings and some monkey bars and think that’s enough,” Lash said. “That’s not enough now; it was at one point.
“We have evolved. We have to find the amenities that are going to be attractive to our families, to people who want to actually come and recreate in public spaces.”
