A great civic asset - like the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail - has the ability to make visitors feel welcome, connect neighbors, and allow people to own their public spaces.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a national initiative focused on the idea that a connected set of civic assets - a commons - can generate more equitably shared prosperity across cities and neighborhoods. Akron is currently on a multi-year journey to apply this theory to public spaces along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, impacting our communities for generations to come. The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and a diverse team of partners like the City of Akron, Knight Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Summit Metro Parks and more are working in downtown Akron, Ohio & Erie Canal Park (formerly Park East/Channelwood), and Summit Lake to reimagine public space investments. Learn more about our project areas by reading further or clicking the button below.
Support the future of public space
Akron Civic Commons is on a journey to create beautiful and equitable public spaces throughout Akron, through the redevelopment of Summit Lake's north shore and Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.
But we need your help. Become a Civic Champion today by supporting our $22 million fundraising campaign in support of these projects.
Naming Rights Opportunities
Naming rights opportunities are available at Summit Lake. Learn more about naming rights opportunities by clicking the buttons below. For questions and more information, contact Dan Rice by email or call 330-374-5657.
Summit Lake Naming Rights Opportunities
Lock 3 Vision Plan
The Lock 3 Vision Plan is a key component of the resident-led Akron Civic Commons 2.0 project that plans to build on the success of Lock 3 Park as a successful event, concert and festival public space and develop a year-round park that is a destination for residents, guests, hikers, and bicyclists along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
The $17 million redevelopment of Lock 3 Park was unveiled in November 2024, featuring resident-led design elements such as shaded seating, landscaped gardens, artwork, skating areas and a world-class performance pavilion named the Maynard Performance Pavilion. Following its grand re-opening, Lock 3 has seen its most successful season yet in its 22 years - bringing in an estimated 100,000+ visitors from concerts, festivals and leisurely visits, and generating about $250,000 in ticket sales from local, regional and national acts with assistance from the Akron Civic Theatre.
Summit Lake Vision Plan
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. The resident-led Summit Lake Vision Plan includes a bicycling and walking trail around Summit Lake, a pavilion for family gatherings, shaded seating and swing, a canoe and kayak share, boat launch ramp and a concession stand to enjoy an ice cream cone, sandwich, or cup of coffee.
Construction on the Summit Lake NorthShore Park began in spring 2025, and will be completed in spring 2026.
Ohio & Erie Canal Park
Located between downtown Akron and Summit Lake neighborhoods, Ohio & Erie Canal Park is the connective tissue between Akron’s Civic Commons. Historically, the neighborhood (known as Channelwood) has been anything but for the diverse residents within the neighborhood, housing for which includes condos for homeowners, subsidized housing, and senior living.
With the help of neighborhood residents and partners, Civic Commons is seeking to break down barriers to create shared spaces within the park for gathering and greater understanding of one another.