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Freedom Trail Faces Crossings in Downtown Akron

Freedom Trail begins in Kent and follows a path into downtown Akron.
SUMMIT METRO PARKS
Freedom Trail begins in Kent and follows a path into downtown Akron.

A property dispute is forcing Summit Metroparks to rethink the path of the Freedom Trail through downtown Akron. The park system had planned to locate a portion of the trail near CSX railroad tracks at East Market Street and College Avenue. It thought the land was owned by a public transit agency. Before the final construction began, CSX claimed the land was owned by them and for safety reasons, it will not allow a trail near the tracks.

Stephanie Walton, a spokesperson for the Summit Metroparks, said they've considered an alternative route for the path which could include a tunnel underneath East Market Street.

“Completion of the Freedom Trail remains one of the park district’s top priorities and it’s one that we are actively working on. Unfortunately, we have run into an unforeseen property dispute with CSX that has stalled the completion of the final leg of phase three, but we are working really hard to find a solution.”

The Freedom Trail is a 7.6 mile hike and bike trail that starts in Kent. The path has just a mile left to be built.

Copyright 2021 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.

Nathan joined WKSU as an intern in May 2019. Nathan is a broadcast journalism student at Kent State. He’s previously been a correspondent for TV2 as well as a crew member of Teleproductions. His interests include entertainment and culture.
Ella Abbott is studying journalism and forensic anthropology at Kent State. Abbott has previously held the positions of senior reporter for the Kent Stater, the university’s student run newspaper, and editor-in-chief of Fusion magazine, Kent State’s LGBTQ magazine. Her interests are in public policy and crime.