 |
    |
    |
 |
Preservation Project Helps Create Bright Future for Akron Neighborhood May 23, 2003 @ 8:30 PM on WVIZ Quality of life issues are becoming more and more important as we work to attract and retain the kind of highly educated talent we need to help jumpstart Northeast Ohio's economy. So getting involved in projects that help create vibrant, attractive neighborhoods is one way we can all begin Making Change to reinvent our regional economy. Some Summit County residents are working together to create a brighter future for an Akron neighborhood by helping to preserve its past. The members of the Cascade Locks Park Association recently finished renovating a 19th century store along the old Ohio & Erie Canal. Now they're turning their attention to establishing an educational heritage park. They're combining history, culture, and recreation in what they hope will be a winning formula for neighborhood revitalization. Ideastream's Cynthia Barnes has the story.  “We get as many as the other day, we counted 40 to 50 boats. Oh my goodness, it was continuous, that came through.” Cynthia Barnes Meet Fred and Emma Mustill, owners of Akron’s historic Mustill Store, set in the mid- 1800’s. They’re really volunteers from the Cascade Locks Park Association, setting the stage for students on a field trip from Portage Path Elementary, about how life was during that time. Volunteer talking to children “Fred and I came from England and we were quite young. His family is from the south, my family was from the north.” CB Students get a lesson on how the canal once was the highway for business and trade. The Mustill Store and House serviced canal users until the late 1880s. The Cascade Locks Park Association formed nearly 15 years ago when a group of concerned citizens came together to restore the Mustill Store and House to its original canal-era form. Bridget Garvin, Executive Director, Cascade Locks Park Association “Our first project was the rehabilitation of the Mustill House and Store and ah it coincided with the towpath going through this area and it’s amazing almost to see the renaissance that has happened.” CB The towpath trail was the spark that set other projects like the restoration of the Mustill Store and House into motion. Volunteers with CLPA partnered with the city of Akron, Metro Parks and the National Park Service to rehab. the store. Tom Long, Design Administrator, Dept. of Planning & Urban Development, City of Akron “The city of Akron has invested 20 million dollars in planning design and development of the National Ohio and Erie Canal Corridor, towpath trail. Some of that money was spent in the Cascade Locks area.” CB Another attraction along the canal is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, a partnership with Cascade Locks Park Association. Teacher and child on train “All the way to the back honey.” “Whoa!” (Excitement) Loudspeaker on train as children listen “The canal boats brought in raw materials, and carried away the finished projects, iron, furniture, pottery, fabric, whiskey and flour.” CB The Ohio and Erie Canal Corridor was established in 1989 to create a 110-mile trail from Cleveland through Akron to Zoar, Ohio, south of Canton. 65 miles are completed. 15 miles run through Akron, with 10 miles already completed. Jack Gieck, one of the founding members of the Cascade Locks Park Association has written a book about the Ohio and Erie Canal. He appreciates the camaraderie with other volunteers working toward the same goal. Jack Gieck, Cascade Locks Park Association Member “A guy has to have a project and ah more than that, ah if he’s going to live with his neighbors ah it’s kinda neat to have a common activity that we’re all interested in.” CB The city has invested millions into revitalization efforts to interest people into moving in the surrounding Cascade Locks Park neighborhood. Canal Builders will start construction this fall on 70 homes along Hickory Street. Todd Ederer, Developer, Canal Builders “The plan is, I use the word neighborhood, a traditional neighborhood development as opposed to a conventional subdivision and the reason for it is that is there will be a variety of home styles.” CB The choices will include attached town homes starting at $130,000 and single-family detached and bungalows starting at $160,000 to $180,000. CB Another piece to the Cascade Locks Park Association is Howard Street, once a thriving area for African-American businesses. This house on Howard Street will serve as a museum to showcase that rich history. Some of these artifacts, soon to be on display at the Shirla R. McClain Gallery on the campus of the University of Akron, could end up in the Howard Street home. Carolyn S. Reed, President, Steering Committee Shirla R. McClain Gallery of Akron’s Black History and Culture “I think the more ah avenues, the more venues we can put together, the better it will be for the history, teaching history to the young people especially and for those who have come to Akron who may not have any idea of what Howard Street really meant to the black community.” CB Volunteers with the Howard Street program and Cascade Locks Park Association are working together to achieve a common goal, preserving all of Akron’s history to help build a stronger community for the future. Bruce Smith, President, Cascade Locks Park Association “I think that the vision is that this becomes a stronger part of the Akron area Community, the idea of this park association becoming a gathering place for people that it’s top of the mind and people will come meet here.” CB For Making Change, I’m Cynthia Barnes Resources:
|
