First phase of Rubber City Heritage Trail construction is complete

Derek Kreider, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
President and CEO of Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition Dan Rice speaks Friday at the dedication of Phase I of the Rubber City Heritage Trail in Akron. Joining him from left are State Rep. Veronica Sims, D-AKron, Ward 10 Councilwoman Sharon Connor and Summit County Clerk of Courts Tavia Galonski.
President and CEO of Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition Dan Rice speaks Friday at the dedication of Phase I of the Rubber City Heritage Trail in Akron. Joining him from left are State Rep. Veronica Sims, D-AKron, Ward 10 Councilwoman Sharon Connor and Summit County Clerk of Courts Tavia Galonski.

The new Rubber City Heritage Trail reached a milestone Friday as community members and city officials gathered to mark completion of the first stage of construction.

The Rubber City Heritage trail is a six-mile recreational trail connecting the neighborhoods of Goodyear Heights, Middlebury, the University of Akron, Downtown Akron, Firestone Park, Summit Lake and Kenmore.

The trail is designed to give Akron residents new ways to commute around the city. A news release said the trail will create "a safe, walkable, bike-able and accessible connection for residents to parks, grocery stores, libraries, churches, and other amenities."

“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,” said Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rice.

“Creating these connections throughout our city is so important as we strive to continue building community," said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. "I’m excited to see how our residents use this trail which intertwines the history and culture of Akron’s rubber city development.”

Phase I of the trail begins at 3rd Avenue and the Middlebury Run Park trail and ends at East Exchange Street by Fire Station No. 2.

It features 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.

Phase I includes the conversion from rail bridge to an accessible pedestrian trail bridge of the 800-foot viaduct spanning the Little Cuyahoga River, active W&LE Railway tracks, River Street and Factory Street.

The city of Akron is currently developing plans for Phase II of the 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 dclapp@akronohio.gov; or Rice at drice@ohioeriecanal.org.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: First section of 6-mile Rubber City Heritage Trail dedicated