AKRON, Ohio — The city wants to hear from residents about improvements coming soon to Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.
An open house is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 3 at the Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.
Akronites are encouraged to attend the event to share ideas that help shape the Lock 3 Vision Plan. Those who can’t attend the event can fill out an online survey.
With preliminary designs by OLIN Studio, the Lock 3 Vision Plan aims to lay the groundwork for a $10 million makeover of the park, which is situated on South Main Street next to the Akron Civic Theatre.
The Knight Foundation awarded $5 million toward the project, the City of Akron awarded $1.5 million and the remaining $3.5 million is from Akron’s American Rescue Act funds.
The vision plan is intended to encompass all aspects of the park’s design, from plants and seating to accessibility and amenities. The project is planned to break ground in the fall.
Lock 3 is currently a large field situated below street level. The space serves as the city’s central park, hosting concerts and events year-round. A temporary stage accommodates performances in warmer weather with a temporary ice-skating ring for cold months, but the park is empty without an event.
Despite the Ohio & Erie Canal running along the park’s border, the space doesn’t offer a traditional park setting and there is little in the way of shade or seating.
The Lock 3 project is led by the Ohio & Erie Canal Coalition as part of Akron Civic Commons. The Canalway Coalition oversaw revitalization of Lock 2 and Lock 4 adjacent to Lock 3, revitalizing and connecting public spaces along three miles of the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail.
For more information, call the Ohio & Erie Canalway at 330-374-5657.
