Summit Lake NorthShore Park Update: July 13, 2026

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, as the convener of the Akron Civic Commons initiative, has released periodic "hard hat" video updates on the development of the Summit Lake NorthShore Park. This final video in the series serves as a walk-through of the completed park and its amenities as of June 2026.

Summit Lake NorthShore Park is located near the center of the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, and was the highest point (summit) of the 308-mile canal. Summit Lake's north shore has been transformed from a desolate, overgrown area into a high-quality designed park and recreational asset for community members and visitors, with accessible amenities like accessible kayak launches, new boat ramp, lakeside seating and firepits, covered pavilions, fishing pier and more. Each element of the park was designed with community input - from the recreational opportunities, to ample lakeside seating, and the architecture of the buildings that are reminiscent of the community's old amusement park, Summit Beach Park.

For more information on the operations of Summit Lake NorthShore Park, visit ohioeriecanal.org/summit-lake-northshore-park.

Through the vision of our Summit Lake residents and the support of our generous funders like the City of Akron, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, GAR Foundation and individual donors, we are reconnecting residents and visitors to Summit Lake by creating an attractive civic commons space that is accessible, equitable and welcoming to all. A special thanks to the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau for their grant support for our hard hat update videos, City Architecture for their high-quality design, and Cavanaugh Building Corporation for assistance with video updates and their hard work bringing the vision to life.