For those that are not in the know, we here at Mecca Media Entertainment have decided to take on the responsibility to bring to the community a weekly broadcast for The Reporter Newspaper. The program will be featured weekly here on this page and the home page of this site.

The Reporter Newspaper is an all black operated and black-owned weekly newspaper/publication that's been telling our stories for 50 years. In 2016 The Reporter Newspaper announced that they were available online @thereporternewspaperonline.com which is the online equivalent (website) of the tangible form. Now in-conjunction with Mecca Media Inc. you can hear/ see the news being read directly from the website via a weekly broadcast.

May 2022

Mayor Horrigan And Keep Akron Beautiful Announce Citywide Cleanup On Saturday, June 4

Today, Mayor Horrigan and Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB) have announced an Akron Community Cleanup happening on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 9am-12pm in several locations throughout Akron. Volunteers can sign up here for a scheduled cleanup, and KAB staff will be on hand with maps, grabbers, and gloves to assign volunteers to their specific areas. Each check-in location will also have a community champion for the area including councilmembers and ward residents who have volunteered to host the cleanup. Check-in begins at 8:30am.

“During Clean Up Akron Month in April, there were over 600+ volunteers who helped pick up over 10 tons of litter throughout Akron,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan.  “That kind of involvement proves Akron residents take pride in their community and they want to be part of the positive change. This Akron Community Cleanup will provide residents with another opportunity to get involved. I want to thank KAB for all their help and several of our Akron City councilmembers and residents for stepping up to host a cleanup in their ward.”

Akron Community Cleanup Check-in Locations:

• Ward 1 check-in: Balch Street Fitness Center
  220 S Balch St, Akron, OH 44302
  Community Champion: Councilwoman Nancy Holland

• Ward 2 check-in: Patterson Community Center
  800 Patterson Ave., Akron, OH 44310
  Community Champion: Councilman Phil Lombardo

• Ward 5 check-in: Mason Park Community Center
  700 E Exchange St., Akron, OH 44306
  Community Champion: Akron resident Johnnie Hannah

• Ward 8 check-in: Northwest Family Recreation Center
  1730 Shatto Ave., Akron, OH 44313
  Community Champion: Councilman Shammas Malik

• Ward 10 check-in: Reservoir Park Community Center
  1735 Hillside Terrace, Akron, OH 44305
  Community Champion: Councilwoman Sharon Connor

In addition to the citywide community cleanup scheduled for Sat. June 4, Ward 7 Councilman Donnie Kammer has teamed up with Keep Akron Beautiful to host a litter cleanup in the Firestone Park area from 9am-12pm on Sat. May 21. Check-in starts at 8:30 am at Firestone Community Center (1480 Girard St.). Register to attend at keepakronbeautiful.org.

“Keep Akron Beautiful’s goal is to make Akron a clean, green and beautiful place for everyone to live, work and play. We are so grateful to work with the City of Akron to make this cleanup possible. It is vital for all of us to work together, as a community to resolve Akron’s litter issue and we look forward to seeing you on June 4,” said Jacqui Ricchiuti, Keep Akron Beautiful CEO.

In addition to helping out their community, volunteers who sign in at one of the cleanup events on Sat. June 4, will also have a chance to win an afternoon in the City of Akron suite at the Akron RubberDucks game on Sunday, Aug. 14 at 2:05pm. The suite includes 20 tickets for the winner and their family/friends to enjoy. When volunteers sign in on Sat. June 4, KAB workers will give each volunteer a raffle ticket to fill out. The winner will be chosen at random from all the raffle tickets turned in the day of the event. The winner will be announced the week of June 6th on the Mayor’s Office social media pages. 

The City Of Akron And The Swirsky Family Announce Park Dedication In Honor Of Late Akron Councilman Richard Swirsky

Highland Triangle Park In Highland Square To Be Renamed Rich Swirsky Memorial Park

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From the desk of Stephanie Marsh, Chief Communications Officer
Published: 04-26-2022

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Akron Recreation & Parks Announces 2022 Summer Schedule

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Akron, Ohio, May 3, 2022 — The City of Akron’s Recreation & Parks division is excited to announce another summer of no-cost and low-cost programming. From live musical acts throughout neighborhood parks and summer camps for kids of all ages to pools and splash pads, the City of Akron offers opportunities for everyone to enjoy the summer season!

"The line-up of events and activities prepared for this summer offers something for all ages and interests," said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. "Whether you're looking to cool off in a city pool, enjoy some live music, or bring your kids to camp, Recreation and Parks has something for you. These no-cost and low-cost programming options are so important to our residents, and we want to spread the word so everyone is aware of these awesome opportunities close to home all summer long."

Akron Arts Expo will be returning for its 43rd year at Hardesty Park on July 23 and 24, featuring over 100 juried artists from around the country. Also returning to Hardesty Park on July 21 is the Taste of Akron, a culinary event where visitors can sample foods from a variety of local restaurants and food trucks.

The Recreation & Parks division offers youth summer camps at most of its community center locations. Providing both day-long care and hands-on content, camp offerings range from week-long themed camps for $40 to summer-long, eight-week programs for $250. Visit www.AkronRecreationandParks.com to see a complete list of summer camp offerings and to register. 

This summer, we are excited to bring no-cost health and wellness classes to our local parks. Fitness in the Parks will begin in June with free classes led by Recreation & Parks fitness instructors. These classes will include Tai Chi Easy, Pilates, and Yoga at various locations throughout the summer. In addition to Fitness in the Parks, Leisure Rider bike rides will take place on the first Friday of each month from July-October beginning at 6:30pm. These rides are for riders both new and experienced, with starting locations and routes announced on the City of Akron Recreation & Parks’ website.

City of Akron swimming pools will also be free and open to the public from June 6 through August 20. The city operates two outdoor swimming pools – at Perkins Park (899 Diagonal Rd. 44320) and Reservoir Park (1735 Hillside Terrace 44305). There is no cost for entry, but visitors must register for a free Open Swim membership by clicking here. Pools are open Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the pool.

Finally, Recreation & Parks’ Concerts in The Parks series is returning to neighborhood parks throughout the city! These free concerts are offered every night of the week in rotating city parks during the summer. Cancelations due to inclement weather will be posted on the Recreation and Parks Facebook and website. This year, concerts will take place on the following days and times:

June 6 – July 1 (from 7:00-9:00pm)

Mondays – Hardesty Park (1615 W Market St. 44313)

Tuesdays – Firestone Park Community Center (1480 Girard St. 44301)

Wednesdays – Shadyside Park (1240 Kenmore Blvd. 44314)

Thursdays – Patterson Park (800 Patterson Ave. 44310)

Fridays – Reservoir Park (1735 Hillside Terrace 44305)

July 5 – August 5 (from 7:00-9:00pm)

Mondays – Lawton Street Community Center (1225 Lawton St. 44320)

Tuesdays – Joy Park Community Center (825 Fuller St. 44306)

Wednesdays – Summit Lake Community Center (380 Crosier St, 44311)

Thursdays – Balch Street Fitness Center (220 S Balch St. 44302)

Fridays – Ellet Community Center (2449 Wedgewood Dr. 44312)

*Friday August 12 NEO Jazz Orchestra at Forest Lodge Park

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City Of Akron Announces Fourth Annual Akron Parks Week May 9-15

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Akron, Ohio, April 18, 2022 — The City of Akron, Akron Parks Collaborative, Keep Akron Beautiful, and presenting sponsor The Davey Tree Expert Company are thrilled to announce the fourth annual Akron Parks Week, May 9-15, 2022.

With the goal of rallying the community around improving and utilizing Akron’s public parks and green spaces, the annual Akron Parks Week is a celebration of the playful, historic parks across Akron. Throughout the week, corporate volunteer groups from FirstEnergy and Keller-Williams Realty will join City staff at Waters Park (169 East Glenwood Avenue) for various beautification projects.

On Saturday, May 14, the City will host a community event at Elizabeth Park (40 E Lods St.) from 12-4pm featuring live music, tree planting, craft and art projects, volunteer opportunities, and more. Food trucks from International Jerk and Jenuine Cuisines will be on site as well as 4 Bros and a Sis Lemonade Stand. Food and lemonade will be available for purchase. Live music from Red Rose Panic will be showcased on the Showmobile stage from 1-3pm. Admission is free. Bring a chair or a blanket, grab some food, plant a tree and enjoy some live music! The rain date is set for Sunday, May 15 from 12-4pm.

To register for tree planting, landscaping and mulching, general park clean-up, or garden/food forest clean-up, please click here. Volunteers are asked to register for a shift (12-2pm, 2-4pm, or 12-4pm) and select the number of people in the volunteer group. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gardening gloves for their shift. The City’s Parks Maintenance Superintendent as well as Recreation and Parks staff will be working with volunteers to plant roughly 100 trees in the park, including a fruit orchard and a mix of native species. To vote on which kind of fruit trees get planted click here. Shovels and tools will be available for use courtesy of Keep Akron Beautiful, the City of Akron and The Well CDC’s Community Tool Library.

“During Akron Parks Week, we’re inviting neighbors to explore their local parks, find opportunities to shape our shared public spaces, and rediscover the places that truly make Akron unique,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “The residents in the Cascade Valley Neighborhood have shown their commitment to Elizabeth Park and have put in the time and effort to make it a great park for their community. That type of engagement is what truly drives an enhanced and thriving public space that best fits the needs of the area it serves, and that's what Parks Week is all about.”

Sandra Reid, vice president of corporate communications and strategic planning at Davey Tree, said the company was excited to participate in the celebration. “Healthy trees generate so many benefits for the neighborhoods they serve,” she said. “Research has shown that people who spend time outside are healthier and happier, so we are delighted to encourage the Akron community to get outside and enjoy the area’s beautiful parks.”

This year’s event would not be possible without the support of a variety of community partners. The City of Akron would like to thank the following:

Sam’s Club of Cuyahoga Falls
House of LaRose
The Well CDC ‘Community Tool Library’
Living Water Association, UCC
Friends of Elizabeth Park
Wild Woman Designs and Consulting
The Big Love Network

“I want to thank all of our partners for adding their support to Akron Parks Week,” said Akron Parks Collaborative Executive Director Bridget Ambrisco. "From our presenting sponsor, The Davey Tree Expert Company, to our corporate volunteer groups, to each and every one of our community partners, we simply could not do it without you. Parks Week is all about engaging our communities to realize the beauty in their local parks, so having such active support from Akron residents, businesses, and organizations alike is really fantastic."

"Having been part of the winning team for the 2019 Akron Parks Challenge, we have seen increasing interest from across Northeast Ohio in supporting community engagement in Elizabeth Park and the Cascade Valley Neighborhood,” said co-founder of Friends of Elizabeth Park, Michael Anthony Howard. “When people hear that there are efforts to engage community residents in participatory projects that improve the community, the excitement is palpable. Increased community participation in City projects is exactly what Akron needs—and I think Akron Parks Week is a celebration of that! I want to especially thank Akron Parks Collaborative for their support of Akron Parks Week and Elizabeth Park."

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