Akron's Jewett Park Undergoing Major Transformation in Middlebury Neighborhood
City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of City of Akron Press Office
Published: 09-06-2022
Akron, Ohio, Sept. 6, 2022 — Jewett Park, a recipient of the 2021 Akron Parks Challenge, will be transformed through the effort of community volunteers. A playground build will take place on September 8, 9 and 10 from 8am to 5pm with a community picnic on Saturday, September 10 from 1 to 3pm. Volunteers from the community will help with landscaping, planting, mulching, and more to improve the park. Learn more about the park here.
"I think Jewett Park is going to be one of the most visibly transformed parks that we've undertaken," said Bridget Ambrisco, Executive Director of Akron Parks Collaborative. "The residents in this neighborhood have really come together to transform what once was an underutilized space into a really engaging, beautiful public park. I want to thank all of the community partners and the volunteers for making this transformation possible along with Mayor Horrigan for prioritizing city parks for Akron's residents."
The Akron Parks Challenge is a City of Akron program managed in partnership with the Akron Parks Collaborative to revitalize parks through community-led design. Over the past year, Akron Parks Collaborative has been working with L.I.N.K.S. Community and Family Services who took the lead in engaging the Middlebury neighborhood to co-design Jewett Park. The resulting plan is taking shape through capital improvements at the park this month including the playground build this week.
Many partners have come together to make the residents’ full dream for the park come to life including Summit County Public Health’s Creating Healthy Communities Program, Neighborhood Network (a program of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County), Let’s Grow Akron, and The Well CDC.
The funding for this transformation came from a variety of partners. The City invested capital funds of $100,000. An additional $150,000 came from Summit County Public Health, Summa Health’s Community Reinvestment Board and neighbors themselves through a L.I.N.K.S. organized Walk-a-thon in the park. In-kind contributions are coming from Rock Candy Holds, Let’s Grow Akron, Keep Akron Beautiful, KGK Gardening and Design and The Well CDC.
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Akron Parks Collaborative
Akron Parks Collaborative is a nonprofit organization engaging Akron neighborhoods around the creation and sustainability of vibrant public spaces within City of Akron parks. We support communities in citizen-led design and decision making on neighborhood park improvements. We value equity, inclusion and diversity around public spaces. We also foster and support affiliated Friends Groups around single city parks and support programs that engage residents in city parks. Learn more at www.akronparks.org.
L.I.N.K.S. Community and Family Services
L.I.N.K.S. Community and Family Services seeks to vitalize the community and help improve individuals' and families' quality of life by providing services, promote self-empowerment and unity. L.I.N.K.S. Community and Family Services is based in one of oldest neighborhoods in Akron, Ohio (Middlebury).
Our mission is to vitalize the community and improve individuals' and families' quality of life by creating a sustainable environment by providing services and programs that promote self-empowerment and unity. Our organization offers many programs and services like Help Me Grow, Youth Ambassador Program, Senior Connection, Kid's Club, Community Beautification Projects, Community Garden, Upson/Jewett Street Neighborhood Watch, Financial Literacy, Support Groups, Neighborhood Outreach, Events, Collaborations with City Projects (Renovation Of Jewett Park), Monthly Food and Clothing Distribution, Holiday Support and Transportation. Learn more about us at our website or Facebook page.
Neighborhood Network
Neighborhood Network (NN) is a program of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County. We focus on revitalizing the Middlebury and University Park neighborhoods in Akron, Ohio by strengthening and connecting our assets, listening to our neighbors and advocating for equitable action that will improve the quality of life for all people that live, work or visit our communities. Learn more about Neighborhood Network on their website, and stay up to date by following their Facebook page.
Summit County Public Health
The mission of Summit County Public Health is to protect and promote the health of the entire community through programs and activities designed to address the safety, health, and well-being of the people who live in Summit County. The Creating Healthy Communities Program at Summit County Public Health is committed to preventing and reducing chronic disease by addressing the social determinants and implementing sustainable programs to transform neighborhoods where a person’s zip code is no longer an indicator of their health. Through cross-sector collaboration, they are activating communities to improve access to and affordability of healthy food and increase opportunities for physical activity. For more information on this program and others visit https://www.scph.org/chronic-disease/creating-healthy-communities.
For further information, contact:
Bridget Ambrisco
Executive Director Akron Parks Collaborative
Phone: 330-801-5255
E-mail: [email protected]
