Akron Reporter

Akron, Ohio — On Friday, June 2, 2023, the bridge for the Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail was set at Summit Lake Park.  Over 100 neighborhood residents, community organizations and representatives from the City of Akron and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition viewed the setting of the bridge across the Ohio & Erie Canal.  The bridge is a major milestone in the development of the 2.75 mile Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail, connecting the neighborhoods surrounding Summit Lake with the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.  

Upon completion in late summer 2023, the multi-use recreational Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail will be accessible for hikers, walkers, and bicyclists around Summit Lake. “We are very excited to celebrate this milestone of the Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail with our neighborhood residents and partners and we look forward to the ribbon-cutting and opening of the trail in late summer,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan. “The Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail bridge setting is another development in the resident-led Akron Civic Commons, Summit Lake Park Vision Plan, and honoring our commitment to Summit Lake residents,” Dan Rice, President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.

The bridge is not accessible to the public until the construction is completed in the late summer of 2023.

The Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail is part of the Summit Lake Vision Plan, which has received over $10 million in funding from the City of Akron, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, County of Summit, Ohio & Erie Canalway, State of Ohio, Akron Community Foundation, and individual donors. The Summit Lake Vision Plan is a key component of the resident-led Akron Civic Commons 2.0 project to create an accessible, equitable and welcoming park for all residents and visitors. In addition to the Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail, the resident-led Summit Lake Vision Plan includes a pavilion for family gatherings, shaded seating and swings, a canoe and kayak share, boat launch ramp and a concession stand to enjoy an ice cream cone, sandwich, or cup of coffee.

Akron Civic Commons 2.0 is coordinated by Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, in partnership with the City of Akron, and they serve as the fiscal agent and project manager for the Summit Lake Vision Plan and Lock 3 Park.  For more information about donation opportunities and Akron Civic Commons 2.0, please contact Dan Rice, at drice@ohioeriecanal.org or (330) 374-5657.

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition is a recognized leader across the region, developing the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and its connector trails in Summit, Stark, and Tuscarawas Counties, while leveraging resources and stimulating community and economic development.

Original source can be found here.