Release Date: March 18,2024
City of Akron Announces Plans for Solar Eclipse
Akron, Ohio, March 18, 2024 — Today, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik is announcing the city’s plans for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. The city will have a mix of community centers, parks, and one downtown location available as viewing sites to help folks enjoy the eclipse no matter where they are in the city. Downtown city services will be limited in person after noon on April 8. View all of the City of Akron’s Eclipse Viewing Sites here.
“No matter where you are in the City of Akron, you’ll have a great view for the total Solar Eclipse,” said Mayor Malik. “With safety as our top priority, it’s important to offer options for our residents close to home to experience this rare event. Akron Police and Akron Fire will be helping to keep traffic moving throughout the day as best as possible but residents and guests to our city are reminded not to park on the sides of highways or expressways. Instead, come to one of our many viewing options in the city and enjoy this amazing phenomenon that you can witness in the path of totality right here in Akron.”
The eclipse event begins at 1:59pm on Monday, April 8 in Akron/Summit County, as a partial eclipse, and will last through 4:29pm. The total solar eclipse (totality) will be visible everywhere in Summit County from 3:13 pm-3:17 pm.
Community Centers
There will be nine community centers open for the day from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Each center will have a limited number of official eclipse viewing glasses to distribute to folks who visit (approximately 200 pairs per center.) The centers will be open to the public to use the restroom or warm up but will not have programming for the day. Families are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs and spread out on the grounds of each center to view the eclipse.
List of 9 open centers:
Ellet - 2449 Wedgewood Dr.
Firestone Park - 1480 Girard St.
Joy Park - 825 Fuller Street
Kenmore - 880 Kenmore Boulevard
Lawton Street - 1225 Lawton Street
Mason Park - 700 E. Exchange St.
Northwest - 1730 Shatto Avenue
Reservoir Park - 1735 Hillside Terrace
Summit Lake - 380 W. Crosier Street
Parks
In addition to the centers, the city is encouraging residents to view the eclipse from one of four large parks in the area. These parks are the Patterson Park ballfields, the Akron Fulton Airport ballfields, the Copley Road Soccer Complex, and Prentiss Park. City staff will be on hand to assist with parking, check tickets, and prioritize safety. Registration is free but will be limited to 300 guests at each site. You must be registered to attend one of these park locations and be guaranteed a pair of glasses. Guests should bring their own chairs and/or blankets.
Register for the Parks:
Patterson Park Ballfields - 955 Patterson Ave.
Akron Fulton Airport Ballfields - 2125 Triplett Blvd.
Copley Road Soccer Complex - 1806 Copley Rd.
Prentiss Park - 1097 Battles Ave.
Downtown
Lastly, the city will host an eclipse event in downtown Akron outside at 510 S. Main St. (the parking lot behind Spaghetti Warehouse). The event will include entertainment options such as a balloon artist and juggler, musicians, reptile show, DJ Jul, face painting, and more. There will be food and beverages available for purchase including alcoholic beverages. Capacity is limited to 2,500 so register today to reserve your eclipse bag with glasses and other items courtesy of downtown Akron businesses. Registration is free but you will have the option of buying reserved parking for $10. Bring your friends and family, some chairs and blankets, and enjoy a day of fun and excitement.
Certain downtown city services will be limited for in person assistance on the day of the eclipse after noon ET in order to help with traffic congestion. Please plan your visit accordingly. See the State of Ohio’s eclipse site for safety and preparedness tips and resources for the day.
Visit the Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau site for a list of other eclipse events happening around the Akron area.