Akron Parks Week, Beginning this Saturday, Attracts Neighborhood Support, Corporate Engagement and National Attention

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt, Press Secretary
Published: 06-05-2019

AKRON, OH (June 5, 2019) – The first annual Akron Parks Week, presented by the Akron Rubber Ducks, is set to begin this Sat., June 8, 2019, with plans to celebrate the playful, historic parks across Akron.

Volunteer opportunities—with several spots still available for residents who want to get involved—offer activities like general park clean-up and beautification of city parks in each ward, including Lisa Ann Park, Goodyear Hts. Public Square, Waters Park, Slosson Park, Hereford Park, Joy Park, and Heintz-Hillcrest Park on Sat., June 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and at Davenport Park, Hardesty Park, and Stoner Hawkins Park on Sun., June 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.

“We encourage all of our residents and neighborhood champions and sign up to volunteer during Parks Week,” Mayor Horrigan said. “This week is all about coming together to celebrate and dream about how to use and improve our shared public spaces.”

Volunteers receive refreshments, a free Akron Parks t-shirt, and discounted tickets to the Sat., June 15 Akron Rubber Ducks game, including a photo opportunity on the outfield after the game.

"The RubberDucks are thrilled to partner with the City of Akron to bring the inaugural Akron Parks Week to life. As the steward of one of Akron's most well-known (ball)parks, we know firsthand the importance of having a first-class venue where the community can gather and enjoy spending time together. We encourage everyone to visit their neighborhood park over the next week and help us continue to make Akron a beautiful place to live, work, and play," said Jim Pfander, GM/COO, Akron RubberDucks.

Other sponsors and corporate volunteers—including Dominion Energy, Keep Akron Beautiful, Lowes, Suncrest Gardens, and Akron Community Foundation—have signed on to help, too.

For instance, a crew of 25 Dominion Energy volunteers will converge on Hardesty Park during the week to make improvements to various areas, including the installation of a new section of walking path near the playground.

“We are excited to offer our employees an opportunity to give back to the Akron community during this event,” said Terry Glidden, Manager Gas Operations of Dominion Energy. “It is important for us to work together with organizations such as Keep Akron Beautiful to make a difference in the lives of our customers by improving and beautifying our local parks.” The employees will represent Dominion’s Construction & Maintenance, Field Metering Service, Design, and Pipeline Safety departments.

Mustard Seed Market & Café, Acme Fresh Club, Sam’s Club in Cuyahoga Falls, The Summit 91.3, and the Devil Strip have also offered in-kind support for Akron Parks Week and its volunteers.

The planned week-long celebration has even attracted national attention. The National Recreation and Parks Association, with headquarters in Virginia, is featuring the Akron Parks Week and a two-minute video invitation to participate from actor Jim O’Heir who starred in the hit TV show Parks and Recreation.

A few volunteer spots remain and the other celebratory events do not require an RSVP. For a full list of events or to sign up, please visit www.AkronParks.org.

Akron Parks Week Events

• Sat., June 8
  Volunteer opportunities from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to beautify Goodyear Heights Public Square, Heintz-Hillcrest Park, Hereford Park, Joy Park, Lisa Ann Park, Slosson Park, and Waters Park
   

• Sun., June 9

  Volunteer opportunities from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to beautify Davenport Park, Hardesty Park, and Stoner Hawkins Park

• Mon., June 10

  • Hardesty Park: Yoga in the park (6:00 p.m.) and Murfies Law (old school rock n’ roll band) concert in the park (7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.)

  • Waters Park: Shuffle board instruction, pickleball instruction at the tennis courts, and meditation at the amphitheater (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
     

• Tue., June 11

  • Stoner Hawkins Park (6:30pm): Nutritional and personal training demo, and game night (corn hole, three-legged race, egg toss, hula hoops, etc.)

• Wed., June 12

  • Goodyear Heights Public Square (4:30 p.m.): Educational talk in the Gazebo, family yoga in the green space

  • Heintz Hillcrest Park (6:30 p.m.): Creative planting (please sign up) and pickleball instruction at the tennis courts

• Thu., June 13

  • Joy Park (7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.): Games and movie in the park (Hotel Transylvania 3 starts at 8:30pm); Concessions will be available by Joy Park Federation

  • Lisa Ann Park (6:00 p.m.): Theater activity with Kenmore Kreative (near the playground) and yoga in the park

• Fri., June 14

  • Davenport Park (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.): Music (DJ), corn hole and chalk art

• Sat., June 15

  • Slosson Park (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.): Chess instruction and games, plus bubble making

  • Lock 3 (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.): Kids Fest! All Akron Parks Week volunteers are invited to “after hours” at Kids Fest (just for park volunteers and Kids Fest volunteers!). Come for complimentary snacks, play on the ninja course or inflatables, exchange your t-shirt for a different size and be part of a video to air during Akron Parks Week 2020. Kids Fest runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the general public.

  • Canal Park (6:00 p.m.): Doors open at Canal Park! Your FREE volunteer t-shirt gets you a discounted ticket for just $5 at the Rubber Ducks game on Saturday, June 15, complete with a group photo on the outfield after the game. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. and ends with fireworks.

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For further information, contact:
Bridget Ambrisco
Director Akron Parks Collaborative
E-mail: [email protected]