Akron Solar Eclipse
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced the city’s plans for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. The city will have a mix of community centers, parks, and one downtown location available as viewing sites to help folks enjoy the eclipse no matter where they are in the city. MAP
“No matter where you are in the City of Akron, you’ll have a great view for the total Solar Eclipse,” said Mayor Malik. “With safety as our top priority, it’s important to offer options for our residents close to home to experience this rare event. Akron Police and Akron Fire will be helping to keep traffic moving throughout the day as best as possible but residents and guests to our city are reminded not to park on the sides of highways or expressways. Instead, come to one of our many viewing options in the city and enjoy this amazing phenomenon that you can witness in the path of totality right here in Akron.”
The eclipse event begins at 1:59pm on Monday, April 8 in Akron/Summit County, as a partial eclipse, and will last through 4:29pm. The total solar eclipse (totality) will be visible everywhere in Summit County from 3:13 pm-3:17 pm.
COMMUNITY CENTERS
There will be nine community centers open for the day from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Each center will have a limited number of official eclipse viewing glasses to distribute to folks who visit (approximately 200 pairs per center.) The centers will be open to the public to use the restroom or warm up but will not have programming for the day. Families are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs and spread out on the grounds of each center to view the eclipse.
List of 9 Open Centers:
Ellet - 2449 Wedgewood Dr.
Firestone Park - 1480 Girard St.
Joy Park - 825 Fuller Street
Kenmore - 880 Kenmore Boulevard
Lawton Street - 1225 Lawton Street
Mason Park - 700 E. Exchange St.
Northwest - 1730 Shatto Avenue
Reservoir Park - 1735 Hillside Terrace
Summit Lake - 380 W. Crosier Street
PARKS
In addition to the centers, the city is encouraging residents to view the eclipse from one of four large parks in the area. These parks are the Patterson Park ballfields, the Akron Fulton Airport ballfields, the Copley Road Soccer Complex, and Prentiss Park. City staff will be on hand to assist with parking, check tickets, and prioritize safety. Registration is free but will be limited to 300 guests at each site. You must be registered to attend one of these park locations and be guaranteed a pair of glasses. Guests should bring their own chairs and/or blankets.
Register for the Parks:
Patterson Park Ballfields - 955 Patterson Ave. Register HereAkron Fulton Airport Ballfields - 2125 Triplett Blvd. Register Here
Copley Road Soccer Complex - 1806 Copley Rd. Register HerePrentiss Park - 1097 Battles Ave. Register Here