 (03/05/07) - A landmark in West Akron is another step closer to
taking on new life. The tri-cornered city park at White Pond Drive and West Market Street
is home to the historic Fairlawn Garden Center. Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB) is producing a
remembrance on this spot for the woman who was its first executive director. This
highly-visible spot is the future home of Judith Bear Isroff Park.Twenty-six years ago,
the late Judith Isroff and Keep Akron Beautiful began making our city more attractive and
more livable with plantings of flowers, flowerscapes and trees throughout the community.
Her work has not only transformed Akron, but has left a legacy that has been worthy of the
recognition and national attention it has received. http://www.keepakronbeautiful.org/
A task force comprised of Judy Isroff’s friends and
colleagues has finished reviewing five professional landscape plans for the park submitted
by registered landscape architects; the winning design is described as modern yet
timeless, elegant yet simple, with year-round interest for all seasons.
Keep Akron Beautiful Executive Director Paula Davis says the design vision was based on
the sense of style that Judy Isroff brought to her service not only with KAB, but as
chairman of Leadership Akron, president of the Jewish Community Board and president of the
Akron Roundtable. Davis said, "As the first executive director of Keep Akron
Beautiful, she would appreciate the physical change this small plot of public land will
undergo for everyone’s enjoyment for years to come."
Those submitting designs:
- Kathy M. Lander & Wilson Lewis, Lewis Landscaping & Nursery, Inc.
- Heidi O’Neill, O’Neill Landscape Design & Installation
- Nicholas A. Panagopoulos, Inc., Landscape Architect
- Richard G. Thomas, R. G. Thomas Landscape & Design, Inc.
- John S. Vittum, Landscape Architect
The task force members favored the landscape plan submitted
by John S. Vittum. In its recommendation, the members sited Vittum’s creative
use of native plant materials, stone and earth forms and a stark absence of flowers.
Instead, Vittum’s modern design features gentle, elevated mounding connected by
stacked stone walls, paths and groves of trees known to be some of Judy’s personal
favorites. His design also provides for 20-plus parking spaces and accent lighting.
As the winner of the project, John Vittum receives a $2,000
honorarium that he has chosen to apply to project expenses as he works with the City of
Akron and a project team chosen to implement his design.
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CONTACT:
Paula Davis, executive director Keep Akron Beautiful
330-375-2116, or davispa@ci.akron.oh.us |
