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Hope your week is off to a strong start. Here’s what’s happening around Akron–Canton today, plus a few things worth putting on your calendar and one local spot worth checking out.
~Here soon we will Be running a promotion on a gift basket full of tons of gifts, would love to hear ideas and ways to continue to grow our community!
• Lake Township and Canton Townships News!
• Akron Teaching Jobs
• Tons of Events for the Family!
-Local Farmers Market!
-MLK Events
-JJ
Lake Township to See Trails, Pickleball Courts, and Facility Upgrades in 2026
Residents of Lake Township can expect several major improvements this year, including new recreational amenities, infrastructure projects, and leadership changes.
New bike and pedestrian trail: Construction on the Quail Hollow Connector Trail is expected to begin this summer. The 1.5-mile trail will connect Lake Middle/High School to Hartville Memorial Park, pass Stark Parks wetlands and the GentleBrook senior living center, and may later link to Quail Hollow Park. The project is largely funded by $473,000 in Clean Ohio Trail Funds awarded to Stark Parks.
Pickleball courts: After regulatory delays, construction of six pickleball courts at Lake Township Community Park (behind Lake High School) is now approved and expected to be completed this spring. Township officials say the courts have been highly anticipated by residents.
Road garage expansion: An $800,000 expansion of the Lake Township road garage on Midway Street is underway and expected to wrap up this spring. The project adds a new steel storage building and supports planned road paving projects this year.
New trustee: Sue Grabowski, elected in November, has begun her term and plans to use her marketing background to improve township communication, including updating the township website with FAQs for residents.
Overall, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for Lake Township, with a focus on recreation, infrastructure, and better communication with residents.
Residents of Canton Township can expect leadership changes, park planning, and expanded community events in 2026.
New township leadership: John Ring, formerly fiscal officer, began serving as trustee on Jan. 1. Former trustee Chris Nichols was appointed as the new fiscal officer, bringing decades of township experience.
Park system master plan: The township plans to develop a master plan for its parks, including turning the former North Industry Elementary School site on Wiseland Avenue SE into a new community park with pickleball and basketball courts. Officials aim to finalize the plan by the end of 2026.
Community Day + America’s 250th: Canton Township’s annual Community Day will be held June 20 at Faircrest Park and will incorporate celebrations for America’s 250th birthday, with expanded entertainment and a larger fireworks show supported by increased sponsorships.
Returning events: Popular programs like Food Truck Thursdays, the Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, and Safety Day are expected to return, alongside continued use of the newly remodeled Community Center rental space.
Akron Public Schools Making Progress on Teacher Shortage, Challenges Remain
Akron Public Schools has reduced its teacher shortage but continues to face staffing challenges, particularly in special education. Last summer, the district reported 94 teaching vacancies. Five months later, officials say 34 teachers have been hired, with six more in the pipeline, bringing vacancies down to 54.
Superintendent Mary Outley previously said classrooms without permanent teachers are staffed by substitutes, but the district’s goal remains placing certified teachers in every classroom.
District HR head Chase Canfield said mid-year hiring is difficult, especially as special education faces shortages at the district, state, and national levels. Hiring efforts continue despite an $11 million budget deficit, with cost-cutting recommendations expected next month.
One bright spot is new hire Brooke Bennett, a first-year kindergarten teacher at Mason Elementary and the district’s “Rookie Teacher of the Year.” District leaders say prioritizing classroom teachers remains essential as recruitment continues.
Your annual review, created with Shane Parrish
Behind every successful year is a moment of honest reflection. This workbook, written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, will guide you through that process, helping you pause, reflect, and pick out patterns.
Most annual reviews look at adding more. More goals, more tasks, more pressure. This one does the opposite. It helps you strip everything back to see what worked, what didn’t, and what to change in the year ahead.
Ready to identify what matters?
Several local libraries and parks are offering hands-on, kid-friendly programs later this month:
Snack-tastic Creations – Children in grades 2–5 can learn to make creative snacks from 4:30–5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the North Canton Public Library. Registration opens Jan. 12.
Symphonyland Strings – A free Canton Symphony Orchestra program introducing ages 3–6 to orchestra instruments through storybooks will be held at 10 and 11 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Stark Library Plain Community Branch.
The Wilderness Center programs – The The Wilderness Center is hosting a New Moon Night Hike (Jan. 16, $10), plus a free Guided Hike and Creature Feature on Jan. 17.
Stark Parks activities – Stark Parks will offer Beginner Bee School (Jan. 24) at Sippo Lake Park and Youth Archery for ages 10–17 on Jan. 22 at the park’s Exploration Gateway.
These events offer a mix of creativity, music, outdoor exploration, and hands-on learning for kids and families across the area.
-An indoor farmers market will run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Canton Museum of Art (1001 Market Ave. N.). The free event features local food vendors, health and wellness products, free soup and bread samples, recycled arts and crafts demos, free seeds, balloon art, and kids’ activities.
The market will continue on the third Saturday of each month: Feb. 21, March 21, April 18, and May 16.
Greater Akron organizations are hosting a full weekend of events to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., with programming running from Jan. 17-19, leading up to Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 19.
Key events include the annual Power, Love Justice Weekend, featuring:
An MLK Female Youth Symposium (Jan. 17) at Buchtel Community Learning Center, focused on empowering young women ages 12-24.
An MLK Male Summit (Jan. 17) for young men ages 11-17 at the Akron Urban League.
A Gospel Concert (Jan. 17) at The Faith Place, featuring the Chicago Mass Choir.
On Jan. 18, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Day Coalition will host its long-running annual program at First Congregational Church of Akron UCC, with a keynote from Vincent Peterson, remarks from Shammas Malik, and community performances. That same day, Akron-Summit County Public Library will host a free lecture by Jelani Cobb.
On MLK Day (Jan. 19), events include a community breakfast hosted by the Akron Urban League, a Day of Doing volunteer effort, and free or special programming at venues such as the Akron Zoo, Akron Art Museum, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Cleveland Botanical Garden.
Together, the events focus on reflection, education, service, and community engagement in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.
Hope everyone had an amazing holidays, as you all know, we are building out our local area guides. Would love any recommendations on events, food, or any of your other favorite places!