AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron and residents of the Summit Lake neighborhood held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail on Tuesday.
The Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail will feature a 2.75-mile multi-purpose trail accessible for hikers, walkers and bicyclists. The trail will link the eastern and western neighborhoods surrounding Summit Lake and connects to the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
The trail is part of the Summit Lake Vision Plan and has received $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.
"Today marks another milestone in our Akron Civic Commons 2.0 work with this groundbreaking for the Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail," said President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Dan Rice. "With these shovels of dirt, we are moving from dreams to reality as we develop the Ohio & Erie Canal Summit Lake Trail and reconnecting our communities both physically and emotionally. This multi-use recreational trail is more than a physical connection, since it will provide a beautifully designed healing space and refuge for neighborhood residents to enjoy nature, exercise and spend time with their families."
"This public space investment represents a priority for my administration regarding the importance of equity in our community parks, trails, and open spaces," said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. "We are very proud to partner with the Summit Lake residents, Knight Foundation, Akron Civic Commons, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, and all of our funders and partners on this transformational trail project here in the heart of our community.”
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