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.
Cul-de-sacs and wooded lots mark one of Akron’s northernmost neighborhoods, regarded as a highly prized yet private community. For Stacey King, who bought the second lot in High Hampton in 1994, it’s also full of residents who have grown close over the years, raising families and enjoying quiet spaces close to amenities in and near Cuyahoga Falls, its neighbor to the east. Stacey and her husband, John, work nearby, enjoy concerts at Blossom Music Center and can get most of their needs met not too far from their brick home.
This bedroom community was carved out of Northampton Township, one of 16 original townships in Summit County. Through annexation, purchases and mergers, the township faded away, but the community persisted. The township merged with Cuyahoga Falls in 1986, according to the Northampton Historical Society, marking the first time such a merger happened in Ohio.
Akron Documenter Melanie Mohler is the primary contributor for this story. She is a West Hill resident and has been a Documenter since November 2023.
And in 2023, as Akron redrew its neighborhood maps, officials added High Hampton as one of 24 Akron neighborhoods, naming it after an existing housing development.
Akron Documenter Melanie Mohler talked with High Hampton residents about their lives, loves and what they want from and experience in their neighborhood. Here’s what she found.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: JOHN & STACEY KING
Stacey has lived in the neighborhood since 1994. John has lived here since 2007.
What is the most interesting thing about High Hampton?
John: “When you buy into a development, you want to look at a lot of different things;, one of them being underground utilities, which is nice, nice lighting,” he said. John also said with one way in and one way out of the neighborhood, “it’s very secure. You don’t get a lot of crime when you have that kind of a situation.”
Stacey: “I would just say the neighbors, and how close you can become,” she said, adding that several families on the cul-de-sac where she lives have been there for 25 years. “We’ve all raised our kids together. We have birthdays now. We’re into, like, weddings with each other’s kids.” Stacey also enjoys the proximity to everything (grocery stores, their places of employment, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Blossom Music Center and numerous restaurants).
What is missing from your neighborhood?
John: He is working with the HOA to update rules and restrictions. “And one of the things is we have these cul-de-sac wells, which are super old oil wells. They’re hidden really well, but they’re kind of dinosaurs. They don’t really have leases anymore. So we’re talking to them (the HOA) about creating little parks.
Stacey: “It is hard to find something that we don’t like. It really is.”
How has High Hampton changed over the time you’ve lived here?
John: He said new residents do not receive HOA rules when they move in, so they often break rules without knowing. He said there is a push to have a “stricter informational process” for new homeowners. John noted that the volunteer group worked hard, and dues for the neighborhood are low.
Stacey: She said there were a lot of families with children when she moved here; they have grown up. Today, newer families with young children are beginning to move in, as some longtime residents are getting older and moving because they want to downsize.
What’s the biggest challenge facing your neighborhood and how do you think it can be solved?
John: He said street paving was an issue that has been resolved. Homeowners had to pay a percentage of the paving because the city of Akron could not fully fund it.
Stacey: She said a dangerous curve out of the cul-de-sac causes some people to turn too quickly. The neighborhood entrance experiences a lot of traffic at times and Ascot Industrial Park, has also increased traffic.
What else do you want people to know about your High Hampton?
John: “The people are really good in the neighborhood,” he said. “And you get to know everyone, even just the walkers, because everybody tries to walk as much as they can. And you see them in the mornings, evenings, afternoons.”
Stacey: “It’s a great place to live,” she said. “Houses don’t turn over all that much. Right now, I think there’s three houses for sale in this neighborhood, which is rare.” She also said the neighborhood developer used to live across the street.
Would you consider yourself a resident of Akron or Cuyahoga Falls?
Both said Cuyahoga Falls because their mailing address is Cuyahoga Falls, and they’ve owned a business there for a number of years.
SMALL BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Vinifera Wine-to-Whiskey Restaurant and Bar, 3236 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, John Bisson, owner
What is the purpose of your business or nonprofit?
Vinifera is a bar and restaurant that specializes in bourbon and wine. It’s expanded to cocktail offerings. John describes the space as high-end, but not pretentious. “So we wanted a really cool, casual, but upscale place,” he said. “I think we’ve been able to do that.” The restaurant and bar hosts live music on Wednesdays. Just don’t show up expecting to stare at mounted TVs — there are none — except one utilized for team meetings.
How does your organization fit into or support the High Hampton neighborhood?
Vinifera is not in High Hampton, but it is so close that John said residents can walk to and from his bar. No wonder Vinifera caters to High Hampton residents. “They have the money,” John said, “they want to spend it, but they want to make sure they’re getting good quality.”
What’s the most important or interesting thing about your neighborhood?
He said that Cuyahoga Falls has come a long way in terms of development, but it’s still affordable. He said High Hampton has interesting boundaries — most of its homes and businesses have Cuyahoga Falls mailing addresses.
What’s missing from the neighborhood or what’s the biggest need in the neighborhood?
He said that High Hampton is very self-sufficient and doesn’t see anything missing from the neighborhood. “I don’t see a big deficiency,” Bisson said. “The traffic on State Road is not good. I mean, that’s, it’s so busy, it’s almost hard to get everybody in.”
What else do you want to say about your organization or High Hampton
While reiterating that High Hampton and Vinifera go really well together, Bisson said it’s a beautiful neighborhood. “I think it’s going to stay that way for a long time. It’s just weird that it’s in Akron, but it’s right next to Cuyahoga Falls.”
A PLACE FOR EVERYBODY
Hampton Hills Metro Park is not technically in the High Hampton neighborhood, but it’s close. The 665-acre park is “a great example of the topography left behind from the last ice age,” according to the Summit Metro Parks website. Once occupied by Indigenous peoples, it is now home to two main hiking trails, a mountain bike trail and an archery range.
