The City of Akron Announces Akron Parks Challenge Beginning April 1

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of City of Akron Press Office
Published: 03-30-2022

Akron, Ohio, March 30, 2022 — Beginning April 1, 2022, Akron Parks Collaborative is asking Akron residents, “What’s your idea for a dream park?” The team at Akron Parks is launching its fourth Akron Parks Challenge and looking for community members to submit ideas that will improve parks in their neighborhoods. Two winners will receive up to $100,000 to bring their visions to life.

Interested organizations, residents, or motivated citizens are encouraged to apply in groups by pitching their visions for their favorite park and how they plan to rally their communities to get behind the project at AkronParks.org.

The goal of the Challenge is to engage communities around neighborhood parks to create active and vibrant public spaces. Neighborhood residents and organizations are asked to give their ideas for improving their parks. The Challenge requires them to show how they will help engage their community around the process.

"This is every citizen’s opportunity to help the City co-create welcoming, accessible, and functional spaces for the community to enjoy," said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “To apply, all you need is a great idea for how to invest in an Akron park and a plan for engaging the community to help make it a reality. I look forward to seeing the great ideas our residents have for our parks.”

Last year, all ten wards were represented among 51 applications submitted. Two parks were selected, with Kerr Park in West Akron (Ward 4) and Jewett Park in Middlebury (Ward 10) receiving $100,000 grants for improvements.

“Since forming in 2018, we have managed 3 cycles of the Akron Parks Challenge, engaging neighborhoods around 7 parks for community-led decisions on park improvements,” states Bridget Ambrisco, Akron Parks Collaborative Executive Director. “We worked with each community to seek additional funds to realize their full vision. In total, $700,000 of City funds leveraged $410,000 in private funds for a total of $1,110,000. We are looking forward to working with two more communities to realize their vision for their neighborhood park.”

The Challenge application period will run from April 1 to April 22. Judging criteria will include measures of feasibility, sustainability, equity, and possible impact on the neighborhood. Finalists will be contacted in mid-May for interviews and the winners will be announced in June.

If you have any questions or are interested in submitting, please visit AkronParks.org.

For further information, contact:
City of Akron Press Office
Phone: 330-375-2754
E-mail: [email protected]