AKRON, Ohio — A northeast Ohio community put down some roots of remembrance by renaming a city park in honor of a local leader who lost his battle with leukemia. 

The Highland Triangle Park in Akron is now the Rich Swirsky Memorial Park. 

Swirsky’s son, David, and other branches of his family tree sprinkled some soil around a new white oak Saturday morning during the dedication ceremony. 

“It’s really heartwarming to see all the lives that he touched and the real genuine relationships he formed throughout his life,” David said. 

The family is giving the patch of land in the heart of Ward 1 a new purpose. 

“It is a city park and it never really had a name,” David said. “People just called it the Highland Triangle Park and our family thought this would be kind of fitting to dedicate this to him.”

Besides the newly planted oak tree, they unveiled a sculpture during the dedication that will be permanently installed at the site and benches bearing some information about Swirsky’s name and legacy are now available for use. 

“He would like that we’re improving it,” David said. “That’s in his values and his spirit that he would like for this to be of public use.” 

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan joined dozens of people to celebrate Swirsky’s life during the dedication ceremony. 

“I don’t know anybody that I think pushed us to be better more than Rich,” Horrigan said. 

Swirsky represented Ward 1 in Akron’s city council from 2013 until his death last May. Nancy Holland filled the position. 

“He believed in fairness,” she said. “He believed in community. He believed in communication. And he believed in protecting this planet.”

People who served alongside him said it’s those firm beliefs that helped make him a respected member of the community.

“I was surprised actually more so when he passed away, to learn of his passing, than to hear that they’re doing this in honor of him,” said Louis Veal Jr., 1st vice caommander of American Legion Post 19. “I thought it was a great thing.”

Many felt the natural setting was a fitting tribute for Swirsky’s passion for the environment. 

“He cared so much about growing things, being part of this earth,” said Eileen Schonfeld, a family friend. “It’s going to be wonderful when things are blooming.”