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.
Tucked away at Akron’s southernmost point is Coventry Crossing, a neighborhood that residents say is known for its beauty and easy access to the chain of reservoirs and glacial kettle lakes in the Portage Lakes.
The natural beauty within and surrounding the neighborhood lends a sense of pride to residents — some are the third or fourth generation of their families to live there. Of course, living near the internationally recognized Firestone Country Club doesn’t hurt. Though the club is open only to members, it provides the area with a lot of green space, along with Firestone Metro Park and the nearby Raymond C. Firestone Golf Course, which is open to the public.
Akron Documenter Gigi Fuhry is the primary contributor for this story. She lives in Medina and works in Akron. She’s been a Documenter since February of 2025. Learn more about Documenters, including how to join.
Like many other neighborhoods in Akron, residents say there could be more small businesses in Coventry Crossing — especially sit-down restaurants. But generally, it’s a peaceful and idyllic place for residents to raise their families.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Dick Robbins
Dick moved to Akron when he was three years old. He has lived in the Coventry Crossing neighborhood for more than three decades and is the member services manager at the nearby Firestone Country Club.
What is the most interesting thing about Coventry Crossing?
His answer is simple: the Firestone Country Club. The course has three 18-hole golf courses covering more than 880 acres.
“The reason we live where we live is not because I work here. It’s gorgeous. It’s because my wife loved driving through here,” he said.
He also likes living near the Portage Lakes area, which is to the south.
What is missing from your neighborhood?
“I think we need a couple more better dining options on this end of town,” he said, referring to sit-down restaurants. He said that Firestone Country Club’s restaurant is not open to the public.
How has Coventry Crossing changed over the time you’ve lived here?
He moved into the area before the Coventry Crossing development (which later became the name of the neighborhood) was built. He said that the area has stayed mostly the same since he moved in, but more commercial development has been added. And I-277 was built.
“The other thing we really loved about it from day one is it’s convenient. You can go north, south, east or west really quickly,” he said.
Where is the Coventry Crossing neighborhood in Akron?
Coventry Crossing, which shares the same name as its housing development, is the southernmost point of Akron. This neighborhood is known for its charming country club, golf courses and metro parks.
What’s the biggest challenge facing your neighborhood, and how do you think it can be solved?
Dick said that area schools are a concern for him and his wife. This includes Akron Public Schools as well as the Coventry and Springfield local school districts
“You read the report cards in the paper, and you know what’s doing good and what’s not,” he said “It’s a certain concern.”
“My wife, two of her best, best friends, their whole career, were teachers in Akron Public Schools, and there’s no way they could do it today, because of all the issues with the kids, the violence, the [lack of] respect,” he said.
He said that even St. Francis de Sales Church, where they belong to the parish, has a security officer, and he finds that to be sad.
What else do you want people to know about Coventry Crossing?
“It’s still really a family community,” he said. “It’s still safe. I think we have a lot to offer.”
He said there are three or four families living in his neighborhood who are second or third generation residents in the community.
“People take care of their property. You know, there’s a lot of pride out here.”
What do you hope will happen in the future?
“I hope it stays the same,” he said. ”I hope there’s not a lot of big changes. It’s pretty well situated.” When asked, he said he thinks there’s little chance that Firestone Country Club will go away.
Small business perspective
Creative Concrete, 2170 Stahl Road
Jeremy Candelaria, owner
Tell me about the purpose of your business? What do you do every day?
Jeremy said Creative Concrete is a residential concrete company — 95% of their clients are homeowners and live within 25 miles of their location on Stahl Road, east of the Firestone Country Club. He pointed to the company’s mission statement, which says that they “create modern concrete designs that become the foundation of family memories for years to come, while providing growth opportunities for our team members who pour their hearts into every project.”
How does your organization fit into or support the Coventry Crossing neighborhood?
Jeremy and his family live in Coventry Crossing and his children attend Coventry Local Schools. He donates to and supports programs in the district.
“We donate money every year to different sporting things, or boosters,” he said. “This year, at the beginning of the school year, we purchased sweatshirts for all the teachers coming back.” They also bought items for the basketball team, even though his kids don’t play basketball.
What’s the most important or interesting thing about your neighborhood?
The most important thing about the neighborhood, Jeremy said, is that its residents and businesses reinvest in their community. He mentioned that he mentors other teenagers, as his father-in-law mentored him, and other business owners. He wrote a book called “Blue Collar Millionaire: 6 Simple Steps to Building a Million Dollar Blue Collar Business,” (available on Amazon) to share his insights and experience.
What’s missing from Coventry Crossing, or what’s the biggest need in the neighborhood?
Jeremy said he didn’t have an answer because it’s a “pretty good community” as it is.
What else do you want to say about your organization or the neighborhood?
Jeremy started working in concrete at age 15 after trying to impress his girlfriend’s (now his wife) father, who was a concrete worker.
“The very first thing he said to me is, ‘Can you work, boy?’” he recalled. “I had never had a job, I was 15, but I liked her a lot. So I was like, ‘Sure, yeah’ and that’s where it started.”
Creative Concrete came in 2018. Jeremy credits its success with running it as a service or relationship business rather than a transactional business. He said the $2.5 million company is doing well and he hopes to pass the company to his son someday.
“He needs to understand every aspect of our business. But he can do it, and he probably can make it a $50 million [business].”
Public space shoutout:
Firestone Metro Park
Firestone Metro Park started in 1941 as an 89-acre gift from the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. It’s now home to multiple trails, a sledding hill, wetlands, marshy meadows and more than 175 bird species, according to Summit Metro Parks.
