December 13, 2023: The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, in partnership with the City of Akron, announced the donation of $1 million from an Anonymous Donor for the redevelopment of Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. With this generous contribution, Lock 3 Park has received over $3.5 million in individual donors, in addition to funding from the City of Akron, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Akron Children's Hospital, Summit County Government, GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. As Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition President as CEO, Dan Rice noted, "We are extremely grateful to our generous Anonymous Donor to Lock 3 Park as it brings us one step closer to our fundraising goal for this transformational resident-led project."
City of Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan expressed his appreciation and added, "On behalf of the City of Akron, I want to thank the Anonymous Donor for their generous gift to the Akron Civic Commons 2.0, Lock 3 Park Project. Through their tremendous support, we are fulfilling the vision of Lock 3 Park as a high-quality, welcoming public space in the heart of our community."
The redevelopment of Lock 3 Park will include shaded seating, landscaped gardens, artwork, skating areas, and a world-class performance pavilion. Located in the center of Akron, and along the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Lock 3 Park will be transformed into a premier park that is accessible, equitable, and welcoming for residents and visitors.
The Akron Civic Commons 2.0 Donor Committee is co-chaired by Bill and Becky Considine and to date, the committee has raised over $29 million for the Lock 3 and Summit Lake Park projects. Co-chair Bill Considine shared his gratitude to the Anonymous Donor and stated, "We are very excited to share the announcement of the $1 million gift to Lock 3 Park. Through the incredible generosity of our individual donors, City of Akron, Knight Foundation, Maynard Family Foundation, and Summit County Government, we are developing a once-in-a-generation park for all residents and visitors." This gift brings the total commitments to the Lock 3 Park Project to over $17.5 million, and fundraising continues for the park's development and endowment.
The Lock 3 Vision Plan is a key component of the resident-led Akron Civic Commons 2.0 initiative that plans to build on the success of Lock 3 Park as a successful event, concert and festival space and develop a year-round park that is a destination for residents, guests, hikers, and bicyclists along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
Akron Civic Commons 2.0 is coordinated by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition in partnership with the City of Akron, who serves as the fiscal agent and project manager for the Summit Lake and Lock 3 Park Vision Plans. For more information about donation opportunities and Akron Civic Commons 2.0, please contact Dan Rice at drice@ohioeriecanal.org or (330) 374-5657.