The Summit Lake NorthShore Park is now open!
On May 16, 2026, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition cut the ribbon for the Summit Lake NorthShore Park with residents, the City of Akron, state and local representatives, donors and community partners. Summit Lake NorthShore Park represents the culmination of 11 years of relationship-building with neighborhood residents, close collaboration with community partners, and dedicated fundraising efforts led by the Akron Civic Commons donor committee. Once desolate and overgrown, this reimagined space has been transformed into a vibrant resource and welcoming refuge—designed by and for Summit Lake residents and the surrounding community
The Summit Lake NorthShore Park is co-managed by the City of Akron and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
Park Address and Hours
The park is located at 540 W. South Street in Akron, and open from dawn to dusk. Operational Hours (for onsite parking, staff, restrooms and rental amenities) are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the off-season.
For questions about Summit Lake NorthShore Park operations, please contact our office at (330) 374-5657.
Park Rules
Please be respectful of this new space and the communities who use it as a resource! For a full list of regulations, please see the button below.
Meet your Park Hosts
Park Hosts are onsite during Operational Hours to welcome you, answer any questions and ensure park regulations are respected.
Marcus Saulsberry is the Lead Park Host at Summit Lake NorthShore Park. A Summit Lake resident, he became involved with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition by attending community meetings as part of the Akron Civic Commons initiative back in 2016-2017. He became employed with the organization in June 2020 helping with the Summit Lake Youth Ambassadors, and later transitioned to a full-time Placemaker to engage with the community and steward the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
Maundrio Roper is a lifelong Summit Lake resident employed as a full-time Park Host at Summit Lake NorthShore Park, who also owns his own web and brand development business. A graduate of Kenmore High School, Maundrio spent many years playing recreational basketball at the Summit Lake Community Center. He enjoys giving back to his community and stewarding public parks and spaces.
Chase Walton is a downtown Akron resident employed as a full-time Park Host at Summit Lake NorthShore Park. Originating from Washington, D.C., Chase has lived in several cities in his young life before recently settling in Akron. Inspired by his mother, a fashion designer, Chase is also involved in runway modeling. He enjoys spending time outdoors, connecting with new people, and serving his community.
Sa'Viona Finney is a part-time Park Host at Summit Lake NorthShore Park and a graduate of Akron Early College, where she earned both her high school diploma and associate degree. Prior to becoming a Park Host, she served as a Summit Lake Youth Ambassador for three years (2022-2024) and stepped into a Team Lead role for the program in 2025.
Ja'Vion Finney is a part-time Park Host at Summit Lake NorthShore Park. Ja'Vion was previously employed as a Summit Lake Youth Ambassador each summer between 2021 and 2024 before graduating from STEM High School in Akron.
To read their full bios, visit ohioeriecanal.org/staff.
Park Rentals
The John S. and James L. Knight Pavilion at the Summit Lake NorthShore Park will be available to reserve at a to-be-determined date. Rent the East Wing or West Wing for your special gatherings! The link to reserve the Knight Pavilion will be available through Akron Rec Desk soon.
The Hudson Family Picnic Shelter and Saulsberry Family Picnic Shelter are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not available to reserve. Please be respectful of these spaces and leave them in the condition that they were in when you arrived!
Canoe Share
We are excited to soon offer a free canoe share program from the boathouse for visitors. Please check back for hours of operation for the canoe share.
Request for Vendor Proposals
May 22, 2026: The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition is seeking a vendor to provide healthy refreshments for the Summit Lake NorthShore Park for the 2026 season. Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition will provide a refrigerator and access to the Summit Lake NorthShore Park during the park hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the remainder of the year. We are seeking a vendor for the flat fee of $1,500, and all sales proceeds remain with the vendor. We request that the vendor provide a final report of total sales revenue.
For the full RFP, click the button below. Interested parties contact Meri Skiera, Operations Manager, at (330) 374-5657 or mskiera@ohioeriecanal.org.
For more information on the Akron Civic Commons, visit the link below.