lock 3 park

Centrally located in the core of downtown, Lock 3 Park is the primary gathering space for Akron and its environs. Prior to the re-imagining of Lock 3 Park, this ad-hoc space served as the City of Akron’s main public venue and functioned entirely as an event space whose primary mission is to bring people to the downtown. While the events have been somewhat successful, it is during the non-event times that the park is vacant. The locks, which are part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway system, were the lifeblood of the region that brought people, commerce and industry to Akron in the 19th century. Over time, the canal lost its significance with the emergence of the railroad and fell into disrepair. It was during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s that the Canal was deemed a National Historic Landmark and was transformed into a recreation trail along the towpath. However, locks, 2,3, and 4 remained largely disconnected from the city and the pathway to the north that leads to the Cuyahoga River Valley.

The lock system, within downtown Akron, exists in parallel with Main Street but sits nearly 16 feet below street level. OLIN’s task was to work with the City, representatives from the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, and key stakeholders to reimagine Lock 3 Park and develop a master plan that incorporated Locks 2 and 4. This forgotten gem within the urban fabric was reconceived as a public garden and event space that brings universal access to the steep slope adjacent to Main Street. The programming was reconsidered to allow events to still function and maintain flexibility as a comfortable, everyday place for Akronites to gather and be outside. The signature elements of the park are the Lawn Bowl Amphitheater and Balcony, which takes advantage of the site’s topography, and The Play Loop that connects Locks 2 and 3. The Play Loop is a series of play spaces that are characterized by different ecotypes of NE Ohio; they are the Grass Moraine, Forest, Sand Bog, River Valley, and Misty Plains. The Misty Plains also transforms into an ice-skating loop during the winter months, hence making the park a place to inhabit year-round. OLIN is excited to be a part of this revitalizing effort in creating a welcoming and vibrant downtown park in the City of Akron.

Location
Akron, OH

Owner
City of Akron

Status
In Construction

Key Team Members
Lucinda Sanders, Partner-in-Charge
Demetrios Staurinos, Associate
Jamee Kominsky-Bellin, Project Manager
Evan McNaught, Landscape Designer
Lucy Whitacre, Landscape Designer