the development of the towpath landing

Innerbelt Park Concept (2019-12-05) clean.jpg

a new design: notes from Environmental Design group

Inspired by a Knight Cities Challenge grant, what was once known as Innerbelt National Forest has now become the newest park in the City of Akron. Although the original concept was developed by the League of Creative Interventionists (LoCI) as a temporary community space, it was soon realized that the park provides a unique rest stop and interpretive opportunity along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (Towpath Trail). Hoping to enhance this wonderful existing asset, the City agreed that a permanent park was needed. Environmental Design Group was hired by the LoCI to provide concepts that would transform the park into a more resilient and enduring public space, Towpath Landing.

The goal was to design a park that was inviting and flexible while creating connections between the history of the community and people who live there. Uniquely positioned, Towpath Landing helps to interpret the history of the Towpath Trail and decommissioned Innerbelt (SR-59) in the heart of Akron. The new design focuses on connecting the space to the trail and creating a flexible-use inner courtyard space flanked with reordered existing trees. The trees frame an overlook onto the decommissioned Innerbelt below while providing separation from the surrounding roadways.  Although the future of the Innerbelt is undetermined, this park captures the energy of the space and creates a place for people to make memories for generations to come.

 
2nd View Innerbelt.jpg
 

where we began

In 2015, The League of  Creative Interventionists (LoCI) hosted a 500 person community meal on the Innerbelt Freeway and asked residents from all over the City of Akron what they wanted to see in the future of the space once it closed to automobile traffic. 87% of the participants wanted a space for connection and nature. In 2018, we created a temporary green public space on an adjacent section of the decommissioned freeway to test this idea and gain valuable insight for a potential permanent green public space on the freeway.

In 2019 LoCI, the City of Akron, and the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition began working together to assess the Innerbelt Forest and imagine how it could continue to serve as a community gathering place, green space, and connector between Downtown and the Towpath. Over the course of the year we have received feedback from various community members and stakeholders and worked with Akron-based Environmental Design Group to re-design the forest. Re-named Towpath Landing, the park will be a green space - designed to attract local pollinators and support indigenous plant life; create a space for leisurely lunches and conversations; and to act as a space of transition for everyone using the Towpath.

Towpath Landing is made possible with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Lowe’s.

 

LOCATION

Towpath Landing is located in Downtown Akron at Ash St & Quaker St adjacent to the Innerbelt Freeway and next to the Towpath Trail bridge.

 

Partners

 

FUNDERS

TEAM

Jonell Logan
Executive Director,
League of Creative Interventionists

SeKoria Finney
Project Lead, Akron Chapter
League of Creative Interventionists

Landscape Design
Environmental Design Group, Akron

PRESS

Pop Up City
Citylab
Next City
Cleveland.com

Impact Report