Akron will receive nearly $400,000 in philanthropic support to continue its redevelopment efforts in three communities on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
The $390,000 investment from Reimagining the Civic Commons will go toward Ohio & Erie Canal Park, the Summit Lake neighborhood and downtown, said Kayla Metzger, communications coordinator for the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, via email.
The funding is provided by the JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. The funds will be spread out over three years.
This is the third grant Akron has received from Reimagining the Civic Commons, said Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. The previous two totaled $6,620,000.
“We awarded subgrants to our neighborhood and community partners to test ideas in parks, trails and public spaces and build trust,” Rice said via email, regarding the first round of funding.
Funds from the second round were used for redevelopment projects at Lock 3 and Summit Lake, he added.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a national network of organizations and local leaders working to rethink how public spaces are designed, managed and utilized. In Akron, projects include the redevelopment of downtown’s Lock 3 and the creation of a multi-use trail around Summit Lake that connects to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
Metzger said this round of funding will go toward the completion of Lock 3 and the first phase of construction on the north shore of Summit Lake. Lock 3 — which is on schedule to be completed this fall — will include a performance pavilion, shaded seating, gardens and artwork.
Site preparation work on the north shore of Summit Lake is also expected to be completed this fall. The second phase is expected to begin this year and will continue throughout 2025. A completion date for the north shore project has not been released, but when it’s finished, the area will include a public pavilion, a boat ramp, canoe rentals and a fishing pier.
The funding will also help with long-term operations and maintenance plans for all three sites. Regarding Ohio & Erie Canal Park, Metzger said Akron Civic Commons will “collaborate with residents and community organizations on plans for future programming and stewardship of the public parks and spaces along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.”
Reimagining the Civic Commons awarded nearly $10 million to 10 cities, including Akron. The organization also released a report that measured the social impact reinvesting in civic assets had on Akron. The report found that visits to all three sites have increased since 2018. It also found increased support for government spending on civic assets. Rice attributed that to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which provided funding to individuals, businesses and local and state governments to help stimulate the economy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Both projects (Lock 3 and Summit Lake) were a perfect fit for these funds to provide accessible, equitable and welcoming parks, trails and public spaces as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rice said.
A correction was made Oct. 15, 2024: An earlier version said Akron will receive federal funding from Reimagining the Civic Commons. The funding is philanthropic support from JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. Reimagining the Civic Commons will distribute the funds.
