CITY OF AKRON, OHIO & ERIE CANALWAY COALITION AND SUMMIT LAKE RESIDENTS BREAK GROUND ON THE SUMMIT LAKE NORTHSHORE PARK

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Akron, Ohio (April 7, 2025) – On Thursday, April 10, 2025 the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, in partnership with the City of Akron and residents of the Summit Lake neighborhood, will hold a groundbreaking celebration for the Summit Lake NorthShore Park at 11:00 a.m.

The redevelopment of Summit Lake’s North Shore includes the creation of picnic areas, fishing pier and boardwalk, a covered pavilion for gatherings, a boat launch, canoe/kayak launch, concession areas and more for the enjoyment of neighborhood residents and visitors along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. It is located along the 2.25-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail that was completed in September 2023. The Summit Lake Trail will be temporarily rerouted along South Street for the duration of the construction.

NorthShore Rendering

 

Public parking for the groundbreaking will be available at the Summit Lake Community Center (380 W. Crosier Street) or the REACH Opportunity Center (390 W. Crosier Street). Follow the signage along the sidewalks and Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail to the ceremony area across the NorthShore Bridge. Since this is an active construction site, please plan to wear closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dusty. In the case of inclement weather, the program will be relocated to the REACH Opportunity Center community room.

The Summit Lake NorthShore Park is the next phase of the Summit Lake Vision Plan, which has received over $12 million in funding from the City of Akron, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, County of Summit, Ohio & Erie Canalway, GAR Foundation, State of Ohio, and individual donors. The Summit Lake Vision Plan is a key component of the resident-led Akron Civic Commons 2.0 initiative to create an accessible, equitable and welcoming park for all residents and visitors.

“It is exciting to be a part of this resident-led process to develop this beautiful park and public space for neighborhood residents and visitors to our city,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “We are very proud to partner with the Summit Lake residents, Knight Foundation, Akron Civic Commons, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, and all our funders and partners on this transformational park project here in the heart of our community.”

“We are proud to partner with community residents and the City of Akron on the development of the Summit Lake NorthShore Park.  With this historic groundbreaking, Summit Lake residents are writing a new chapter for our community,” noted Dan Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.

Akron Civic Commons 2.0 is coordinated by Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, in partnership with the City of Akron, and they serve as the fiscal agent and project manager for the Summit Lake Vision Plan and Lock 3 Park.  For more information about donation opportunities and Akron Civic Commons 2.0, please contact Dan Rice, at drice@ohioeriecanal.org or (330) 374-5657.