City of Akron Celebrates Public Space with Inaugural Akron Parks Week, June 8-15

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt, Press Secretary
Published: 05-14-2019

AKRON, OH (May 14, 2019) – Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan recognizes that clean, safe, vibrant and accessible public spaces are essential building blocks to strong neighborhoods and healthy quality of life. That’s why the City, in partnership with the Akron Parks Collaborative, is launching the first ever Akron Parks Week to rally the community together around improving and utilizing Akron’s public spaces.  

The inaugural Akron Parks Week—beginning on Saturday, June 8, 2019 and running through Saturday, June 15—is a celebration of the playful, historic parks across Akron. The week will feature free events, celebrations, and volunteer opportunities at community park locations throughout the city—including Lock 3 and one park in each of the City’s ten wards.  

The goal of the new initiative is to encourage residents to visit and celebrate their local City parks. “During the first-ever Akron Parks Week, we’re inviting neighbors to explore their community assets, find opportunities to shape our shared public spaces, and rediscover the places that truly make Akron unique,” Mayor Horrigan explains. “Our parks belong to all of us, and we’re all responsible for shaping what they look like and how we utilize them.”

According to Akron Parks Collaborative Director Bridget Ambrisco, residents can find activities including family yoga, educational talks, concerts, theatrical performances, DJs, cornhole, and pickleball during the week. Akron Parks Week also includes public volunteer opportunities to help clean, paint, mulch, plant flowers, and beautify the parks.

“As a thank-you, our volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and discounted admission to a volunteer appreciation event at the Rubber Ducks game on Saturday, June 15, complete with a group photo on the outfield after the game,” Ambrisco shares.

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please visit 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, 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, Heintz Hillcrest 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 (6:30 p.m.): 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 8:30 p.m.); 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 enjoy complimentary snacks, play on the ninja course or inflatables, and participate in 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 discounted admission 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:
Ellen Lander Nischt
Press Secretary
E-mail: [email protected]