Public Life Is an Essential City Service: Reimagining Recreation and Parks as Integral to the Development of Your City


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In the summer of 1968, American cities experienced riots and unrest sparked by centuries of racial discrimination. Akron, Ohio, was no different. In response, the city of Akron leaders convened a task force to recommend pathways toward a more equitable community. Investment in recreation and parks were top priorities and municipal leaders at the time responded. It had been 40 years since the city last reviewed that plan when Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan launched a plan to unify all municipal departments that impact development. Through that process, a reinvigorated Division of Recreation and Parks joined planning, engineering, development to form the Office of Integrated Development (OID). This session will guide participants through the community co-creation process used to create OID, and how the Division of Recreation and Parks leads to development within the city.


Learning Objectives
Following this session, learners will be able to:

  1. Compare their own organizational structure to OID and evaluate if a similar structure would benefit their organization.
  2. Develop an understanding of how strong recreation and parks align with city economic development goals.
  3. Demonstrate an appreciation for the power of co-creation and community engagement in strategic planning that participants can apply in their organization.

Brittany Schmoekel

Recreation and Parks Manager

City of Akron

Brittany Schmoekel has more than 17 years of experience with the city of Akron, Ohio, in the Recreation and Parks division. She speaks often to community groups and organizations about the revitalization and restructuring of the division and the focus they have on public space and public life that encourage deeper connections within the community.

James Hardy

Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development, Akron, Ohio

City of Akron

James Hardy is Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development for the City of Akron, Ohio.  In this role he manages planning and urban design functions, economic development, recreation and parks, downtown operations, and elements of engineering.  He previously served as Chief of Staff to Mayor Daniel Horrigan, and is a 2020-21 Fulcrum Fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy's Center for Community Investment.

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