Thirty-five years ago I was driving through downtown Akron on I-77 to visit the University of Akron for the first time. I was shocked to see a lake in the middle of the city. A lake practically in my backyard? How cool was that, I thought. But when I started asking about Summit Lake, locals described it in three words: disgusting, dirty and dangerous. That was the … [Read more...]
Beginner beekeeping course starts Feb. 28
Laura Urban, of Urban Honey Bee, and Emily Mueller, from Mueller Honey Bee Removal, will lead a professional Beginner Beekeeping course, starting Feb. 28, at Prime Bricco, 4315 Manchester Road, in Akron. Courses will take place 7 to 9 p.m. for five consecutive Wednesday nights, starting Wednesday, Feb. 28, and continuing through March 28. The courses include a hands-on day … [Read more...]
Summit Lake Community Center hosts Toys for Tots donations, distribution
Each year, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys to give to children in need during the holiday season. This year, Summit Lake Community Center will be the drop-off site for donations. Those interested in giving newly-packaged, unwrapped toys (or receiving Toys for Tots gifts) should visit the Summit Lake Community Center (located at 380 W. Crosier St.) from Nov. 1 … [Read more...]
Urban agriculture tour showcases gardens, hives, market in Summit Lake neighborhood Aug. 8
Summit Food Coalition is coordinating an Urban Agriculture tour in the Summit Lake Neighborhood Tuesday, Aug. 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. In partnership with Let’s Grow Akron, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, and Urban Honey Bee, the tour will showcase the vibrant urban agriculture community in the neighborhood. Tour participants will meet at the Summit Lake Community Center and will hop a … [Read more...]
Open Streets will connect Summit Lake, Firestone Park, Kenmore
Cars yield route to pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers, skaters June 25 -- The streets connecting Kenmore, Summit Lake and Firestone Park will yield to walkers, bicyclists, joggers and skaters June 25 for Open Streets. The event takes place from noon to 5 p.m. throughout the three neighborhoods for a day of outdoor recreation and community building. The city of Akron … [Read more...]
More than 3,000 volunteers clean up 20 tons of litter during Clean Up Akron Month
Despite the many rainstorms during Clean Up Akron Month in April, more than 3,000 volunteers removed more than 38,000 pounds of litter (19.27 tons) from Akron’s neighborhoods, according to Keep Akron Beautiful, who added that volunteers cleaned up 112 sites and 1,370 students cleaned their campuses. Also collected were 287 pounds of recyclables and 91 tires. A diverse group … [Read more...]
Love On Akron brings together village for art, discussions, healing
Four-day event takes place Sept. 16 through 19 at Well CDC The neighbors gathered at the residential Summit Lake intersection to paint a street mural, but this sweltering August day brought with it torrential rain instead. While the painting was waylaid, the event moved ahead, as people played basketball in front of a nearby church while others decided to dance in the rain … [Read more...]
South Street summer bike shop offers hands-on experience for area children
The children involved in South Street Ministries’ summer bike shop are taught to fix their own bikes and are required to work a few shifts before they can take their bicycles home, which helps teach the South Akron and Summit Lake neighborhood children what it means to give back. The program has grown considerably over 10 years, to the point where South Street has hired … [Read more...]
Explore Summit Lake neighborhood’s ‘forgotten history’ with Akron2Akron walk Aug. 30
Walks kick off at 5 p.m. at Summit Lake Community Center -- The Summit Lake neighborhood is one of those areas in Akron with a forgotten history and preconceived notions from outsiders that aren't always accurate. About 100 years ago the lake was graced by an amusement park, Summit Beach Park, that would draw crowds by the thousands. The park closed in 1958, and while the … [Read more...]
AMHA early childhood program named among best in nation
The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) has long prioritized the need to prepare our community’s children for kindergarten. AMHA’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, which helps establish parents as the child’s first and most important teacher, has been named one of the top PAT programs in the nation, and the agency celebrated by inviting PAT CEO Scott Hippert and Daryl … [Read more...]