Akron seeking resident feedback on second phase of Rubber City Heritage Trail

Derek Kreider, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
This map prepared for the city of Akron by engineering consultant GPD Group shows the proposed Rubber City Heritage Trail, depicted by the green dashed line, and the west end of the Freedom Trail, not yet completed in University Park, which is depicted at the top of the map by the black dashed line. Both trails would connect with the Towpath Trail, shown by the green line on the left side of the map.

The Rubber City Heritage Trail is entering its second phase, and the city of Akron is seeking feedback on what it should look like.

A public meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday at The Well CDC, 647 E. Market St., where more detailed information about the project will be presented and public feedback collected.

Until May 30, questions and concerns can be sent to project manager David Clapp at DClapp@AkronOhio.Gov or mailed to Clapp at the Akron Engineering Bureau at 166 South High Street, Design Division Room 701, Akron, Ohio 44308.

The second phase of the Rubber City Heritage Trail will include 10-foot wide asphalt trail pavement, wayfinding signage, miniature neighborhood trail plazas, viewing benches, improved street crossings, and conduits for future fiber optic network expansion as well as additional sidewalks connecting the Middlebury Marketplace and Arlington Street. Construction is planned for summer of 2025.

According to a news release from the city, the project won't impact environmentally sensitive resources, and all construction will occur on city lands.

Phase 2 of the trail starts at Exchange Street next to Fire Station 2 and ends at Huntington Avenue across from the Dollar General.

The Rubber City Heritage Trail is a proposed multi-use trail linking the Akron neighborhoods of East Akron, Middlebury, University of Akron, South Akron, Firestone Park, and Kenmore via an abandoned rail line.

The trail alignment follows 6 miles of the former ABC rail line that provided service to tire and rubber companies of Akron, including Goodyear, General Tire, B.F. Goodrich and Firestone. The rail corridor is majority-owned by the city.

The Rubber City Heritage Trail is a major component of the Akron's growing bicycle network as it allows safe pedestrian travel for all abilities and destinations.

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

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Rubber City Heritage Trail entering second phase, city seeks input