The Rotary Club of Akron, during its Tuesday, October 18, 2022 weekly Club Meeting, enjoyed learning a little more about a treasure within our local community. Unfortunately, many residents of Northeast Ohio know little about the history of the Cascade Locks.
Scott T. Read is the Executive Director of the Cascade Locks Park Association (“CLPA”), part of the Summit Metro Parks stretching from Lock 10 to Lock 16. Since starting with the CLPA in October 2021, Scott has worked to activate the park space, bringing new thoughts, energy, and programming to one of Akron’s most historic districts. Click here to view the presentation.Cascade Locks Park, a Heritage Park for Akron's Future, offers a unique opportunity to celebrate our industrial, commercial, and cultural heritage and reclaim a bit of long abandoned and abused urban geography into an outdoor laboratory for environmental education, historic interpretation, and community recreation. The CLPA is a collaborative partner with the City of Akron, Metro Parks, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the University of Akron, and the National Park Service.
Spanning Locks 10 -16 of the Ohio & Erie Canal, this historic area is a must-see for trail users and history buffs alike. Here you can find evidence of much of Akron's canal and early industrial history, all within a short walk from downtown! Cascade Locks Park is part of the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway with access to the popular towpath trail and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Byway. The park boasts the Jewel of the Canal, the c.1850s Mustill Store, house, and yard. The Mustill Store houses one of the canalway's most important visitor centers, and contains many fascinating exhibits on the beginning, heyday, and demise of the canal.
The Cascade Locks Park is the southernmost segment of the Cascade Valley Metro Park in a once abandoned and abused urban landscape. The mission of the Cascade Locks Park Association (CLPA), incorporated in June 1989, is to preserve, protect and promote the industrial, commercial, and cultural heritage of the park along locks 10-16 of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
The Mustill Store Museum and House are the Park's showcase pieces. Located in their original site at Lock 15, these faithfully restored canal-era buildings are believed to have been built in the 1850s, although the exact date is unknown. The Mustill Store is free to the public, handicap accessible, and perfect for all ages. Cascade Locks Park Association is headquartered in the Mustill Store Museum in the Cascade Locks Park.
Scott began his presentation with the question, “What defines a Park?” His response – A park is a physical space. He also asked, “What does a Park do?” His response - It provides activities.
His goal for the Cascade Locks Park is to increase the activities provided within the park space. Some of activities held this year include “Lock of the Irish”, “Duck Derby”, “Locktoberfest”, and “Free Lunch Fridays”. He has invited artists to utilize the park space. This year the Rubber City Jazz and Blues Fest was held at the Cascade Park.
To make the park more inviting for those walking the trail, etc., Scott has overseen the picnic tables being moved closer to the trails to encourage trail users to sit and take in the scenery and when the Mustill Store is open, to stop in and browse.
Scott would like to see the Cascade Locks Park become an Art Centric Park in the future. He envisions artists painting murals on the Towpath. His hope is that by providing more activities along the park, visitors will slow down and enjoy the beauty and history of the area.
To learn more about the history and current activities of the park, I encourage you to visit the organization’s website at www.cascadelocks.org.
Terry Dalton
Akron Club Secretary & Scholarship Chair
