Beacon Journal: New playground at East Akron's Talbot/Whitney Park designed by kids

 
 

Originally published October 16, Akron Beacon Journal
by Anthony Thompson

The shoveling of snow, biting chill of winter and melodies of Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" wafting from homes and car stereos may be mere weeks away, but there is still ample opportunity for Akron's youth to enjoy the outdoors and tumble through the autumn leaves.

Children in East Akron will soon have another reason to play outside, thanks to help from organizations and individuals who have pledged to provide safe spaces for kids while investing in communities of color.

The city of Akron, Akron Parks Collaborative, Great Streets Akron, apparel retailer Sierra, Kaboom! and the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. (EANDC) will soon complete a months-long collaboration culminating in a new kid-designed playground at Talbot/Whitney Park.

"The East Akron neighborhood hasn't historically experienced the same amount of investment into the community as some other areas of Akron, and it was amazing to see the synergy between the city, elected officials, community members and these different non-profits to rebuild this neighborhood staple," said Mark Greer, small business program manager for the city's Office of Integrated Development.

 
 

Plans for the renovation of the playground area at Talbot/Whitney Park had been in motion for months, ever since Greer, who was taking a stroll through the East Akron neighborhood last winter, noticed the park and soon began advocating for its renovation.

"Kaboom! had recently begun plans for renovating the playground at Joy Park earlier this year, and we eventually were able to advocate for the renovation of Talbot/Whitney Park's playground area as well," Greer said. "It is wonderful for the community to have two parks in the same ward to receive help from such a nationally recognized company as Kaboom! and we were grateful to not only them but to Sierra as well, whose funding really helped get this project in motion."

The East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. hosted a design day for the surrounding community in July, where families and children could submit design ideas for the new play space at Talbot/Whitney Park.

Then, from Oct. 5-7, community members, including neighbors and volunteers from Oriana House, helped build the play space. They worked on projects like assembling and installing playground equipment, loading and unloading materials, and mixing and hauling concrete. Ward 5 Councilwoman Tara Mosley and Kaboom! representatives were also on hand helping.

"We have big plans for this park, which serves as a sort of neighborhood hub where the local community can gather and enjoy one another," said Cazzell Smith Jr., a community organizer at EANDC. "This park is more than just a place of recreation; the community members who came out to the design day expressed how important the park is to this neighborhood, and we are excited to be a part of this project," Smith Jr. said.

The old playground, which was originally built in the 1970s and had seen little renovation since then, was demolished the week before the community playground build. Read the full story here.

KABOOM! Help us Build a Playground

Who: A total of approximately 180 volunteers from the City of Akron, Akron Parks Collaborative, Sierra, and KABOOM!

Work is available for volunteers of all levels of skill and ability.

**Please note - All youth under the legal working age for this state will not be able to participate.**

When: Wednesday, 10/5 - Friday, 10/7, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm DAILY

Where: Talbot/Whitney Park

What's Provided: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and bottled water will be provided. Gloves and other safety materials will be provided for the projects that require them.

What to Wear: The project will happen rain or shine. Please come dressed for the weather. Closed-toe shoes are required; sneakers or work boots that you don't mind getting dirty are advisable. Please leave valuables at home as secure storage is not available on site.

Build Week Schedule

Build Week will run for 3 days from PREP DAY 1 on10/5 to BUILD DAY on 10/7. Each day will run on the following schedule:

Prep Day 1 & 2

• 8:00 AM - Volunteer shift begins

• 3:00 PM - Volunteer shift completed

Build Day

• 8:00 AM - Volunteer shift begins

• 3:00 PM - Volunteer shift completed

Build Site Rules:

All participants must comply with the following practices. These rules have been established and agreed upon to ensure the safety, comfort and respect for all involved. Failure to comply will result in immediate dismissal from the project.

• Work together, treat everyone with respect and use family-friendly, inclusive language

• Report any unsafe or inappropriate behavior to on-site staff

• Please comply with all requests from on-site staff

• Follow all safety guidelines

• Only pre-approved power tools are permitted

• Closed-toe shoes are required

• Youth may not participate in areas of active construction

• No smoking, alcohol or drugs

• The use or carry of firearms is prohibited

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:

Build Week will culminate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a job well done. This ceremony will be held on Friday, October 7, 2:30pm and last approximately 20 minutes. Ribbon cutting time may be subject to change based on project completion.

47th Annual Labor Day Parade

 
 

The 47th Annual East Akron Labor Day Parade will step off on Monday, September 5, 2022 at 10 a.m. Starting at 7th Ave. and S. Arlington St. the Parade will head south to Concord St. This year's theme is "Celebrate with the Neighborhood!" The Parade is an opportunity to commemorate the successes that our community has made over the past year and serve as a rallying point for future neighborhood efforts and improvements. It will feature 40-plus units, including marching bands, novelty, and musical units, clubs, community groups, schools, and elected officials.

The Parade Marshall is Quintella Walters and the Honorary Parade Marshall is Cheryl Stephens, President & CEO of the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, which acts as the Parade's fiduciary and primary sponsor. The event is being organized by a neighborhood Parade Planning Committee staffed by community volunteers.

Supporting organizations include the City of Akron, Arlington Church of God, South Arlington United Methodist Church, Robinson Florist, and other area business, religious and community organizations.

Line up on S. Arlington St. with your friends and families and enjoy the community spirit of East Akron and our Labor Day Parade. Organizations and individuals can still sign up to march! In addition to great fun, your presence in the Parade guarantees exposure to many hundreds of East Akron residents and businesses.

Contact: 330-773-6838
Cazzell Smith, csmith@eandc.org
Holly Calhoun, hcalhoun@eandc.org
Jennifer Walker, Planning Committee Secretary, jeniwalk@yahoo.com

How do you turn $25 into $165 million?

Over the past four decades, East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC) has managed to do just that with its investments in the people and neighborhoods of Summit and Stark counties. In celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary, staff members have compiled statistics indicating their tremendous accomplishments, including those highlighted below.

“We were always this little best-kept secret, but now the word is out. It’s incredible, and the future is unlimited,” says EANDC board chair David Buchanan, a district manager at the Ohio-based U.S. Bank.

In 1982, community organizers Grady Appleton and Cazzell Smith, Jr. filed for articles of incorporation based on a desire to see historically underinvested communities thrive. With their initial $25 investment, the newly formed nonprofit began living into the co-founders’ motto, claiming “we dare to be great” with a bold vision to strengthen communities by helping residents access the American dream of homeownership.

During the 80s and 90s, EANDC launched the first of many energy efficiency programs, low-income housing tax credit programs, property management, and lead abatement services. In the 2000s, they would expand to commercial property investments, senior and veteran housing, homeownership education and

More recently, EANDC’s pursuit of greatness has reached new heights under the strategic leadership of president and CEO Cheryl Stephens, hired in 2018 after Appleton’s retirement. “The spirit that started EANDC lives on, and it will continue working hard into the future,” Stephens says, expressing appreciation for all of the community partners and donors who make their work possible.

 

This includes community partners like the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF), who will provide social services for the families residing in EANDC’s IPromise Housing apartments that broke ground earlier this year.

According to LJFF executive director Michelle Campbell, “when we met [EANDC] and learned about what they're providing in Akron, as it relates to housing — affordable, safe housing — we knew right away they were a partner for us for life … We have 100% trust in how they manage their properties, how they build, and how they involve the families in the process.”

 

EANDC's staff, board of directors, volunteers, and community partners will come together on Thursday, August 18th, to celebrate the dreams they have turned into reality over the past 40 years.

Visit eandc.org to learn more about EANDC’s legacy of housing for all and the upcoming 40th Anniversary “Totally 80s House Party.” You can also use this event page link to donate or purchase tickets to the sustainability fundraiser.

 

 

5 Reasons Community Gardens are Good for Neighborhoods

Today, most people think of EANDC as an affordable housing provider, fair housing advocate and property developer, but the roots of our work began many years ago when founders Grady Appleton and Cazzell Smith saw the East Akron community being neglected and made a commitment to help Akron residents live better lives through safe, affordable housing. 


One of the ways this work has evolved is through the beautification efforts in nearby areas. This was especially crucial after the foreclosure crisis wreaked havoc on East Akron and surrounding neighborhoods. 


Some of these projects, like our community gardens, have been on pause since the pandemic. But with the first signs of spring breaking through, we are pleased to announce that efforts to revitalize our community gardens are underway! 


Below are a few of the reasons we believe community gardens help build stronger communities. 

  1. RECLAIMING VACANT LOTS

    In the years following the national foreclosure crisis, Northeast Ohio was one of the areas most affected by neighborhoods full of abandoned homes and vacant lots. Since 2013, EANDC has invested in community gardens as one way to creatively repurpose vacant lots in East Akron.

    By replacing empty lots and littered yards with community gardens, EANDC also helps make the neighborhood look more welcoming while improving property values.

  2. ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD

    Community gardens provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables.  Families who assist with growing food are more likely to try new foods and cook with them, leading to healthier eating habits that could last a lifetime.

    In our fast food culture, everyone can benefit from more nutrient-dense, vitamin-rich, low cholesterol foods in our diet — gardening is one of the best ways to get more healthy, nutritious foods for your family. 

  3. COMMUNITY BUILDING

    Community gardens make a wonderful place for neighbors to get to know one another and build relationships. They are also a natural setting for intergenerational connections as experienced gardeners pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Seed swaps, volunteer events, and harvest celebrations are just a few of the ways gardeners can build community.

    According to research, community gardens also appear to have “a positive influence on neighborhoods, with residents reporting neighborhood revitalization, perceived immunity from crime, and neighbors emulating gardening practices they saw at the community gardens.”

  4. PHYSICAL FITNESS

    Taking care of a garden is good for your health! From the heavy lift of a spring clean up to planting season, weeding, watering and harvest — gardening is a very physically active hobby. In addition to the healthy food you’ll be eating, communities can also benefit from the cardiovascular benefits of increased exercise.

  5. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

    Green spaces and urban gardens can help improve air quality and soil health. They can also decrease the carbon footprint of a neighborhood. By growing food near your home, you don’t have to drive to a store and food doesn’t have to be shipped or transported, reducing vehicle transmissions.

    If your community garden supports composting (turning food scraps into plant food) you can also decrease food waste by teaching about sustainable gardening and encouraging neighbors to deposit their food scraps in the compost bin. 


For more information about EANDC’s community garden at Chittenden and McKinley in East Akron or to reserve a garden space, contact Vince Adamus at 234-208-8056 or vadamus@eandc.org.

5 Tips for Spring to Help Homeowners Save Money

 
 

At first glance, this image of plants growing in a gutter seems like a funny way to celebrate spring. But for experienced homeowners, this looks like a big risk of high repair costs — and it’s a reminder to make time for a few important spring cleaning activities that will save you money. 

 

Cleaning out your gutters after a long Northeast Ohio winter is just one of the ways that EANDC recommends homeowners care for their property and reduce long term home ownership costs. Without proper care and cleaning, overflowing gutters can drip water and cause ($$$) damage to the exterior of your home or leak into your foundation or even your basement. 

 

Other important spring clean up tasks that will help you save money as a homeowner include:

 

  1. Inspect your roof — Our roofs take a beating over the winter, especially with the build up of ice and the extreme changes in temperature that we experience in fall and winter. Finding a small problem now, such as missing shingles, etc. can prevent larger costly future repairs and also helps ensure it doesn’t reach the point of interior damage to your home. 

  2. Clean or replace HVAC filters — When your heating/cooling system is kept clean it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool or warm your home, which means the system is less likely to experience mechanical problems or break downs. This means your system will last longer and you can avoid costly replacements and/or repairs. 

  3. Clean your dryer vent — Cleaning your dryer vent once a year can reduce the cost of running your dryer by $200+ a year. The National Fire Protection Association also recommends annual cleaning to prevent housefires. Overheated dryers are one of the primary causes of housefires. 

  4. Check the washing machine fill hose — Did you know that burst washing machine hoses are one of the most common causes of water damage in a home? These hoses, which undergo a lot of pressure during the machine cycles, should be checked often and changed every 3-5 years. Thankfully, there are plenty of YouTube videos to show you how to change the hoses yourself. 

  5. Clean decks, driveways, fences and other outside surfaces — Regular (at least annual) cleaning of wooden and cement services prevents the buildup of moisture, residue, mold, etc. that can cause damage to materials and extend the life of your home’s assets. Adding a coat of finish or paint also adds another layer of protection, which helps you avoid costly replacement expenses in the future. 

EANDC: A Year in Review

With nearly 350 participants in our virtual HomeToday workshop series and an exciting I PROMISE Housing groundbreaking — the impact of COVID-19 has not stopped the East Akron Development Corporation (EANDC) from advancing our mission to decrease the housing gap and strengthen communities in Summit and Stark counties. 

As we reflect on the past year, we are deeply grateful for the commitment of our staff members and board of directors who were resilient and creative in response to the challenges of an ongoing pandemic and its resulting financial and health crises. 

The commitment of our team and extended community has been a source of hope over the past year, and below are a few highlights worth celebrating: 

  1. Ongoing partnership and support from NeighborWorks America — Throughout 2021, NeighborWorks America organized a national educational campaign to provide their partner agencies and homeowners with education to recognize and avoid foreclosure scams. With the pandemic-related unemployment and housing crisis still unfolding, homeowners who struggle to make payments are also more likely to be victimized. Being a charter member of the NeighborWorks America network allows us to extend their resources to the communities we serve. 

  2. Holiday Gift Giving Continued, Thank You — Every year, our social services staff coordinates gifts for local families. This year, we were able to provide gifts to 3 EANDC families with a wonderful Christmas. From Lori Haren, social services coordinator, “Thank you to everyone who donated, helped wrap, helped organize and helped deliver these gifts! We provided 13 kids with presents to open and huge smiles on their faces Christmas morning! I look forward to this every year and enjoy every minute of it.” 

  3. EANDC Breaks Ground on I PROMISE Housing Development — On September 29, 2021, EANDC hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking to highlight their key partners in the funding and vision for a long term housing development that will serve students and families of the LeBron James Family Foundation I Promise schools. James’ mother, Gloria James and Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan both spoke at the event. In his speech Horrigan said, “If a student doesn’t need to worry about where their next meal is coming from, or where they lay their head at night, if they don’t have to worry about basic survival, then they do have a real opportunity to thrive in an educational setting.”
     
    EANDC, as the owner and developer, worked with seven different entities to pull together $15,500,000 of financing for the development of this project.  LJFF’s role involves extending its provision of wraparound support to the I PROMISE Housing development, including access to a state-of-the-art Family Resource Center and dedicated staff to administer a wealth of community resources including job and family services, medical and mental healthcare, educational and career advancement training, and financial literacy programming.

  4. We became stronger, again. The annual report can create a sense of “delayed gratification” for nonprofit professionals who don’t often get to summarize and reflect on their progress until a year later, when all the reports have been finalized and outcomes measured. It’s worth celebrating; however, that the recent release of our 2020 annual report showed EANDC’s organizational strength and stability during a year when many nonprofits and businesses struggled to survive. We are deeply grateful for the efforts of our staff , board members, and the outpouring of community support that helped EANDC face the unknown and prepare for the unthinkable — which continues to disproportionately impact marginalized communities like those we serve.

    Click here to view an online summary of the 2020 EANDC Annual Report, released prior to our annual meeting October 27, 2021.

As President/CEO, Cheryl Stephens, and Board President, David Buchanan, shared in their letter to the community, “the dedicated EANDC staff is what makes our work possible, so our most important goal for 2020 was to ensure their safety and security in spite of the challenges the pandemic has caused. In return, our employees worked tirelessly and creatively to support each other and our tenants.” 

We are proud to report that EANDC continues to survive the unthinkable and our staff team looks forward to a bright future, strengthened by the challenges we have faced and overcome together. 

Thanks, also, to these funding partners that serve as a foundation for our work: Akron Community Foundation, Capital One, CF Bank, Collaborative of Ohio, Fifth Third Bank, Key Bank, NeighborWorks America, Ohio CDC, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo