AKRON, Ohio — Akron’s new, live 22-foot Christmas tree is a kind of bellwether of things to come for Lock 3 Park in downtown.
The city opted this year to plant a permanent tree rather than light a cut tree in Lock 3 Park ahead of the city’s WinterBlast festival. WinterBlast kicks off with the Downtown Akron Partnership tree lighting celebration at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26. Downtown Akron Partnership oversees downtown life and supports its businesses.
The city’s 22-foot Norway spruce sits high atop a hill overlooking Lock 3, just behind the Akron Civic Theatre, and is visible from Main Street.
The tree could grow more than 80-feet tall, said Jon Malish, who has served as the city’s arborist for 20 years and more recently, as Lock 3 Park maintenance manager. Malish chose the tree from Rusty Oak Nursery in Valley City, Ohio, north of Medina.
The city planted a live tree this year, in part, because the cost of planting was equal to selecting a cut tree and moving it to the park, he said.
The new tree will be joined by other trees and flower beds around the park beginning in late 2022 as part of Reimagining the Civic Commons, a multi-city initiative started about six years ago by the Knight, JPB, Kreske and William Penn foundations, all working to counteract economic segregation by revitalizing and activating civic spaces.
Akron Civic Commons is led by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Collation, in partnership with the city. It is focused on three communities connected by the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail — Summit Lake, Ohio & Erie Canal Park and the Civic Gateway in downtown, which comprises the Akron Civic Theatre, Locks 2, 3, and 4 parks, and Cascade Plaza.
The work in all three areas is led by resident input, said Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Executive Director Dan Rice. Since the civic commons project began, the canalway coalition has tested numerous pop-up initiatives, to engage people of all ages and backgrounds, and find out what should become permanent.
Phase 1 of the Lock 3 Park civic commons transformation, estimated at $10 million, will render the park more accessible and inviting, and feature walkways, shaded areas and seating, in addition to a permanent pavilion for performances, Rice said.
Phase 2 of the project, also estimated at $10 million, will raise the profiles of Lock 2 and Lock 4. The smaller parks are directly adjacent to Lock 3, but most people don’t realize they exist, or that they are connected by the Ohio & Erie Canal, Rice said.
“When we ask people about Lock 3, they think of this amazing concert and events and festival site, but they don't really know about the canal,” he said.
Akron is unique in that the Ohio & Erie Canal runs through downtown, connecting the parks and surfacing in Lock 2 and Lock 4, where a waterfall is lit 24/7 with multicolored lights.
“I think we're really so blessed because we have all these amazing spaces that are just absolutely magical,” Rice said. “And we're so fortunate to have them.”
Construction at Lock 3 Park is expected to be completed within 18 months of beginning, although the work will be scheduled to not disrupt planned activities at Lock 3, Rice said.
Lock 3 serves as the city’s central park, hosting concerts and events such as WinterBlast throughout the year.
To hear from Akron residents on the various projects, the next Akron Civic Commons community meeting will take place in early 2022, Rice said.