Note to readers:

The following item is a written record of the Ward 1 meeting, compiled by Akron Documenter Rebecca Ritterspach Sept. 2, 2026. It is not a reported story.

Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

Summary

  • Leah Heiser, a landscape technician with the city, discussed the City of Akron’s meadows program, which aims to convert underutilized turf areas in Akron parks into wildlife gardens. This helps to reduce maintenance costs, fuel use, noise pollution and stormwater runoff while enhancing natural habitats and community spaces. The program is reviewing approximately 500 acres of sod with a goal of reducing mowable areas by 100 acres, building on the success of a 2025 pilot project at Hardesty Park.
  • Michael Wytrzyszczewski, construction division manager for Akron, provided updates on the Little Cuyahoga restoration project, highlighting efforts to improve water quality, fish passage and recreational access, including modifications to a low-head dam. He also discussed the future removal of the Gorge Dam on the Cuyahoga River, to be completed by 2030 through Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding. 
  • Representatives from the City of Akron Tree Commission said the city is nearing its goal of 40 percent tree canopy coverage by 2030, with current coverage at 37.8 percent. They discussed the federally funded Project ACORN tree-planting initiative and advised residents to contact 311 for tree maintenance concerns such as overgrowth affecting traffic visibility.

Documenter’s follow-up questions

  • How are areas eligible for sod-to-meadow replacements analyzed? Do community members have input on which areas will benefit the most?
  • Ward 1 Council Member Fran Wilson briefly mentioned the removal of an outdated and unenforced city ordinance requiring bicyclists to carry city licenses. What other outdated ordinances exist, and what is next to be recommended for amendment or removal?
  • Are the plans to install meadows at BARC Dog Park, Guinther, and Margaret parks visible for residents to view prior to project completion?

City Meadows program aims to replace turf with wildlife meadows in Arkon parks

Leah Heiser, landscape technician with the City of Akron, discussed the city’s meadows program through a partnership with the Akron Parks Collaborative, with its goal to replace underutilized turf with wildlife habitats and meadows.

  • Heiser said unnecessary mowing requires time, energy, fuel, manpower, herbicides and fertilizers to maintain spaces that are ultimately not being used. 
  • There are currently 500 sod acres, typically in unused spaces, that are under review, with the goal to reduce mowable sod areas by 100 acres.
  • Benefits for the city include reduced noise pollution, less fuel consumption and cost savings on equipment repair. These efforts also result in a reduction in storm water runoff, provide beautification and reconnect neighborhoods to natural environments and educational opportunities.
  • A successful pilot project was completed in 2025 at Hardesty Park.
  • BARC Dog Park site in the Merriman Valley is currently being prepped, with Guinther Park and Margaret Park in Kenmore slated for near-future projects.
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Green spaces benefit Akron and other cities

Community Engagement Director Dan Greco of the Akron Parks Collaborative discussed the nonprofit organization and its work revitalizing city parks “in a way that empowers communities.”

  • Discussing the benefits of city green spaces, Greco said time in nature reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels, improves mental health, encourages physical activity, promotes cleaner air, fosters improved immunity and focus, and improves sleep regulation.
  • Additionally, Greco said city green spaces improve safety, add beautification, and broaden activities and social opportunities for residents.
  • Bug Fest took place on July 12 at Firestone Park.
  • Akron Parks Challenge awards city capital improvement funds with community input and design ideas.
  • Nature in Our Neighborhoods program is bringing beneficial meadow spaces to city park spaces.

Residents will get to vote on housing fees and discrimination rules

City Council Member Fran Wilson began the meeting by announcing some general updates and new ballot initiatives.

  • Due to the city’s observation of Italian-American Heritage and Culture Day, there will be no council meeting on October 12.
  • Council has designated Highland Square as a Special Improvement District (SID), which will open up funding to support safety and beautification initiatives.
  • Wilson said a special council meeting was Sept. 31 to vote on putting three citizen-led petition ballot initiatives to amend the city charter on the November ballot.
  • These initiatives include:
    • A ban on housing application fees for renters.
    • The ability for the Auditor of the Police Oversight Board to issue subpoenas.
    • A ban on housing discrimination for those with a criminal history, with exceptions for offenders with arson or sexual offenses.
    • Wilson said Signal will be providing more coverage.

Ongoing outages an issue for residents

  • Wilson also noted the ongoing issues with FirstEnergy power outages in the Palisades area and said they have talked with FirstEnergy often, pushing for answers the company has yet to provide. Wilson is hoping to host a neighborhood-specific meeting about electricity within the next month or two.
  • If you are experiencing outages and are not receiving responses from the city, email Wilson at ward1@akronohio.gov.

Code changes announced

  • Changes have been made to the city code to make beekeeping more accessible for residents.
  • Council voted to eliminate what Wilson described as “outdated ‘70s code,” which required every single bike rider in the city of Akron to have a license.
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Water quality improvements, plus a viral kitten, discussed at restoration project

Guest speaker Michael Wytrzyszczewski, construction division manager for the City of Akron, discussed updates regarding the Little Cuyahoga restoration project.

  • Water quality and fish passage are major goals of the recent changes.
  • Highlighted a low-head dam where effort is being made to make the area passable for fish. The changes will bring recreation to the area and is making those who enjoy fishing “very happy.”
  • A kitten found within a Barberton company’s construction equipment went viral. She has been named Sue.
  • Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fund – the Gorge Dam removal is one of two projects in the Great Lakes region that survived cuts after the presidential administration change two years ago. The dam will be gone by 2030 and will open more opportunities for recreation.
  • There is now online access to view the Cuyahoga River Water Trail for safety advice on where to go and where not to go.

City nears its tree canopy goal

Representatives from the City of Akron Tree Commission discussed its mission to maintain knowledge of, and provide advice on, the city’s tree canopy and its direction.

Current focus of the commission includes:

  • Conducting a tree inventory throughout the city, noting a 37.8 percent canopy coverage, nearly at the set goal of 40 percent coverage by 2030.
  • It was noted that Akron is among the first cities in the U.S. to have a virtual tree inventory — it rates very well next to comparable cities.
  • Risk assessment is currently being conducted on about 4,000 trees that failed a scanning test and are showing some sort of defect, requiring further review and/or removal. 
  • Higher canopy rates lead to increased property values and lower surface temperatures throughout neighborhoods.
  • Project ACORN is a federally funded program with the goal of planting more trees in cities. The program has allowed Akron to plant 400 trees for people who want them. Trees must be on private property and recipients are selected by random drawing.
  • An attendee asked about trimming and expressed concerns about traffic lights not being visible from a safe distance. The person was advised to contact 311 for service requests.

The Keep Akron Beautiful project is accepting volunteers

Executive Director Jacqui Ricchuiti and Director of Development and Community Outreach Emma Segedy discussed the organization’s mission and outlined community resources and volunteer opportunities.

  • Two full-time staff members take out community service workers daily to collect trash throughout public spaces in Akron. Volunteers are welcome.
  • Loan-A-Receptacle program allows churches and community groups to borrow trash and recycling receptacles to ensure there is no improperly discarded waste at events held in public spaces.
  • KAB can help residents identify areas that need pick-up and can provide grabbers, hand sanitizer and safety vests.
  • Graffiti removal at no cost in public spaces.
    •  Contact 311 to submit a request. 
    • Private property removals are available for a donation fee.
  • Flowerscape program
    • A designated flower-scape crew, led by Dave Thomas and two employees, completes functional flowerbed installations focused on pollinators across 25 sites.

Akron Documenters trains and pays residents to document local government meetings with notes and live-tweet threads. We then make those meeting summaries available as a new public record.