Nature in Our Neighborhoods

Transforming City Parks with Meadows

What is a Meadow?

A meadow is a field of native grasses and wildflowers that provides food and shelter for birds and other local wildlife.

WHY MEADOWS IN AKRON’S PARKS?

The City of Akron maintains about 160 parks for public use and enjoyment. This includes over 500 acres of lawn space that require regular mowing.
Now, Akron is ready for a greener transformation. By replacing portions of traditional lawns with meadows filled with native wildflowers, we can create vibrant spaces that benefit both nature and people — and offer a more visually appealing alternative to standard lawns.

The Benefits of City Meadows!

Cleaner Air

Gas-powered mowers and leaf blowers release pollutants into the air, which lowers air quality. Converting lawns to meadows reduces emissions and improves the air we breathe.

Flood & Erosion Control

Many native plants have deep roots that absorb and retain water more effectively than turf grass. This reduces the risk of flooding and soil erosion.

Carbon Storage

Native plants act as natural carbon sinks, storing more carbon in their deep root systems than lawns ever can. In contrast, carbon emissions from mowing contribute to greenhouse gases that warm the atmosphere.

Healthier Water

Native plants improve water quality by filtering runoff before it reaches local waterways.

A Haven of Beauty

The beauty of native wildflowers and grasses fosters a distinct sense of place, deepening our connection to nature.

Biodiversity

Birds, Bees & Butterflies
Native plants are vital to local ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for songbirds, bees, and butterflies while also creating excellent spaces for observing larger wildlife.

Current Projects

Hardesty Park

The program is being tested on a small retention area in the northwest corner of the park that is unusable for events, sports or parking. We are starting small to test the program. There were neighborhood meetings in May and June, input on the location within the park and a presentation at the ward 8 meeting in July. This summer, signs went up and the grass and weeds were killed.

A group of volunteers joined us in October for the plug planting effort at Hardesty Park. This helped establish native plants that will complement the meadow and accelerate its ecological benefits. This collaborative effort is a vital part of creating a thriving, resilient landscape for the community.

What's Happening Next

The City of Akron parks maintenance has ordered seed from Ohio Prairie Nursery, including:
- Moist Meadow Native Seed Mix
- Slope Pollinator Native Seed Mix
These regionally appropriate mixes were selected to match site conditions and support pollinators, birds, and overall ecosystem health.

Seedling Timeline:

Seeding will take place once winter weather allows and there is a break in salting and snow removal operations.
After application, the seed will be lightly incorporated using mowing equipment to tamp down the seed and improve seed-to-soil contact while minimizing disturbance.
With favorable conditions, early growth is expected to emerge this spring.

Looking Ahead

The City of Akron and Akron Parks Collaborative are developing interpretive signage for the site to explain the purpose, seasonal changes, and ecological benefits of the meadow to park visitors.

We appreciate your patience as this landscape continues to transition. Meadows are a long-term investment, and each season contributes to the site’s overall success and resilience.

Updated Dec. 2025

Unused Area Behind the Dog Park on Memorial Parkway

A meadow is being added behind the dog park at the northern end of a large grassy area. This will eliminate a large mowing area and create a natural meadow. The dog park is managed by BARC, a nonprofit organization, who has been in conversation with the City and is supportive of this project. We also met with another dog group who walks daily in the area.

What To Expect

This project is being planned for 2026. For questions and more information, email [email protected]

"A meadow is what can happen when you give the Earth a chance to heal itself."

— OWEN WORMSER