City of Akron Breaks Ground on Perkins Woods Pool Renovation

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of City of Akron Press Office
Published: 11-01-2022

Akron, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2022 — Today, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, City Council President Margo Sommerville, and other City officials joined with local students to break ground on the renovation of Perkins Woods Pool located at 899 Diagonal Rd. Perkins Woods Pool upgrades will include a replacement of the pool including the addition of a 15-foot slide, climbing wall, a shallow water play space, 25-meter lap lanes, and shaded seating area. The existing bathhouse will also be renovated. Construction of the pool is expected to be complete in summer of 2023 with a pool reopening planned for July 2023.

View the Perkins Woods Pool site plan here. View renderings at www.akronohiorescue.gov.  

“The renovation of Perkins Pool has been community driven from the start," said Mayor Horrigan. "It is our residents’ thoughts and ideas we’ll see in the final product when we cut the ribbon on this amazing community asset next summer. I can’t wait to see the end result of the work which begins today.”    

“The upgrades at Perkins Pool will revitalize this beloved community space for our residents to enjoy for years to come,” said City Council President Margo Sommerville. “By taking the community’s feedback into account through the planning process, we’ve been able to ensure that their desires and needs will be reflected both with the renovation of Perkins Pool and Ed Davis Community Center. This is just one more step in ensuring that Akron has fun, safe, and accessible public spaces for all to enjoy.”

In 2019, the City of Akron Recreation and Parks Bureau presented the results of a community needs survey as well as a Strategic Plan to Akron City Council. The survey had over 1,500 responses from community members. That plan prioritized upgrading community centers, playgrounds, and both outdoor pools. 

Community outreach was performed for the pool in 2020 with a survey which had over 500 total responses emphasizing play features and better seating. Initial cost estimates for the Perkins Pool upgrade are $5.5M. The majority of the cost will be covered utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars with the rest coming from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and general operating funds.

For further information, contact:
Stephanie Marsh
Chief Communications Officer
Phone: 330-375-2754
E-mail: [email protected]