| Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB) and
the City of Akron are completing the historic restoration of a triangular parcel bounded
by West Market, North and Valley streets. This once celebrated site has more recently
enjoyed public favor as KAB’s English Border Garden. Polly Simmons of KAB had a
vision of helping the small park reach its potential as a landmark site in Akron. The
construction division of the city engineering bureau assisted researching the history of
the site, and the final plan began to take shape. It was formerly known as Neptune Park,
and unofficially as Fountain Park, due to the large fountain donated by Akron’s J.
Park Alexander. |
Crews will install the fountain the morning of July 25, 2002. Alexander had perfected a
fire-resistant brick, became a successful businessman, and then served on Akron City
Council and later in the Ohio legislature. Shortly after his death, the park was renamed
in his honor. Akron’s |
|
| acquisition of this site, for
$1,200 in the early 1880s, represents the first parcel purchased by the City exclusively
for use as a park. |
Keep Akron Beautiful has selected a portion of this site as
Akron’s Liberty Garden, in commemoration of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. The
Liberty Garden features a red, white and blue theme, and is located along the north side
of the park. This will be KAB’s signature garden spot. They will maintain all aspects
of this site, including the fountain, turf, snow removal and beds.
Proposed improvements include:
- Historically correct, custom built, cast aluminum fountain,
topping 16’ in height, with night lighting and antique finish
- Brick walks to match brick on Market Street
- An irrigation system for both the beds and turf areas
- Restored stone retaining walls
- Reset sandstone steps
- Period benches and trash receptacles
- Trees, shrubs and perennials
- Greatly expanded annual flower beds (with all plant
varieties labeled)
- Historical plaques
The City received many calls when the trees on North and
Valley Streets blossomed in May. They are Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac and were
substituted in from non-performed trees on the recent Market Street reconstruction
project. The fountain was funded by the Akron Garden Club, while the balance of the
improvements were largely funded by donations from area businesses and other private
donors. A rededication, dubbed "Party in the Park", is scheduled August 9th
from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Those who would like to assist with further funding of this
historical site can purchase tickets from Keep Akron Beautiful.
The stone receiving the plaque for the Liberty Garden held
the original plaque for this park. It was unearthed at the west end of the site during
construction. A separate plaque commemorating the site will be placed at the main
entrance, by the fountain, and will be built of sandstone from the original fountain
foundation.
Contractors and agencies responsible for the work are:
Northern Valley – concrete
Vismeg Landscaping – brick, stonework,
irrigation, fountain base and landscaping
Smokey Mountain Rose Antique Street Lamps
– fountain, benches and receptacles
Keep Akron Beautiful – annuals
R.G. Thomas Landscaping – design
consultation
Pam’s Perennials – perennial
supplier
END
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