City of Akron and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Dedicate Phase I of the Rubber City Heritage Trail

Akron, Ohio (July 26, 2024) - The City of Akron and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition held a dedication ceremony for Phase I of the Rubber City Heritage Trail on Friday, July 26 with residents, community members and city officials.

The Rubber City Heritage Trail is a 6-mile multi-use recreational trail connecting the neighborhoods of Goodyear Heights, Middlebury, University of Akron, Downtown Akron, Firestone Park, Summit Lake, and Kenmore. The trail will offer Akron residents a unique, new way to commute around the city, creating a safe, walkable, bike-able and accessible connection for residents to parks, grocery stores, libraries, churches, and other amenities. Phase 1 of the Rubber City Heritage Trail begins at 3rd Avenue and the Middlebury Run Park trail and ends at Exchange Street by Fire Station 2. It includes a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail pavement, wayfinding signage, two rail to pedestrian bridge conversions, interpretive signage, miniature neighborhood trail plazas, viewing benches, street crossings, and conduits for future fiber optic network expansion. The highlight of Phase 1 is the conversion of the 800-foot viaduct over the Little Cuyahoga River, active W&LE Railway tracks, River Street, and Factory Street from rail bridge to an accessible pedestrian trail bridge.

"The Rubber City Heritage Trail creates a physical connection amongst several of Akron's neighborhoods," said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. "Creating these physical connections throughout our city is so important as we strive to continue building community. I'm excited to see how our residents use this trail which intertwines the history and culture of Akron's rubber city development."

"We are proud to partner with the City of Akron and residents on this important regional connector trail linking neighborhoods with schools, libraries, and businesses along the Rubber City Heritage Trail," noted Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rice.

The City of Akron is currently working on developing plans for Phase II of the Rubber City Heritage Trail. For more information on the trail, including renderings and maps, visit www.ohioeriecanal.org/rubber-city-heritage-trail. Questions can be directed to David Clapp, Akron Engineering Bureau at [email protected] or Dan Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer at Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition at [email protected].

A special thanks to all of the partners involved in the project, which includes Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS), City of Akron, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, IRG Realty Advisors, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Clean Ohio, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Summit County Government, Summit County Health Department, and Summit Metro Parks.