Flowerscape program
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Add a new Flowerscape
Do you know an area around Akron that could use a beautiful garden? If you are interested in sponsoring a new Flowerscape site, contact our Interim Flowerscape Director, Dave Thomas, at 330.375.2116, option 7.
2024 Flowerscape Insights
2024 was a good year, and a uniquely challenging one, for several of the 20 gardens in our Flowerscape program. The season started at a busy pace installing our annual plantings — but then the “fun” began!
“Fun Project” #1: In mid-June, Children’s Hospital asked if we could come right away and remove their flowerscape because gas-line installers were coming. We hurried over, removed the plants, and found spaces to re-plant them in other flowerscape beds. Result: By mid-July, with the gas-line install done, we needed to replanted the Childrens’ flowerscape. Ever try to find annuals in mid-July? We got creative; and, seeded the bed with an annual mix that promised blooms in 21 days. By the end of August, we had a fabulous display of mixed zinnia, alyssum, marigolds, and bachelor buttons that lasted well into November.
“Fun Project” #2: At Cascade Plaza, with help from First Energy volunteers, we removed tired spireas in beds now-shaded under trees which have grown over time. We installed shade-loving plants including 72 dwarf oak leaf hydrangea, perennial columbine and anemone. Result: Before we had a chance to admire our work at Cascade Plaza, the irrigation system was shutoff due to leakage in the parking deck. We faithfully hand-watered all the plants until repairs were completed in late August – and we were also in the middle of a drought and the hottest year on record.
Other highlights:
Alexander Park: One of our larger sites, we continued to renew and reshape the plantings in this historic space, with funds from the Akron Park Collaborative.
Thorton & Dart/Canal Trail: This native pollinator garden, a 2023 installation funded by the Canal Coalition, looked spectacular after just its first year of growth. We received more “drive by” compliments at this site than at any other site this year; and, often followed by the comment “can you come and work in my yard when you’re done”.
Summit County Courthouse: After a summer-long reconstruction of the “Lions bed” retaining wall on High Street, we planted a burst of 120 yellow, orange, and red mums, in early September, for fall color. In November, we installed a winterscape of evergreens and winterberry holly with bright red berries.
New “Daffodil Tour” Bicentennial Sites: We planted 15,000 daffodils at 18 locations, in partnership with the Akron Bicentennial Committee, including Improved King Alfreds and trumpet mixes. The new locations, which will be added to our Daffodil Tour in 2025, are city-wide and include some smaller, and less-well-known, neighborhood parks. Enjoy the tour when spring arrives this year.
History of Flowerscape
Flowerscape began in 1982, when Judy Isroff, KAB’s Executive Coordinator, believed Akron could follow in the footsteps of its neighbor to the north, Cuyahoga Falls, by creating a vibrant public beautification program. With her vision and leadership, she convinced the KAB Board of Trustees that such an initiative was both possible and worthwhile.
KAB hired its first part-time Flowerscape Director and partnered with the Portage Path Mental Health Center to provide a labor force. That first year, the program planted approximately 17,250 flowers at a total cost of $2,020.12. With support from the City Planning Department, Flowerscape launched with seven initial planting locations:
- Main Street Planters
- South Main Street Median at Goodrich
- West Market Street & Rand at the Innerbelt corner
- Derby Downs
- Broadway & South triangle near the expressway
- Voris & Broadway expressway exits (two sites)
- Grant Street beds at Exchange, Wheeler (six beds), and Triplett Blvd
Over time, Flowerscape expanded from these seven sites into one of Akron’s most cherished visual assets.
The annual flower budget has grown from $2,000 to over $18,000, and since 1982, more than one million flowers have been planted to brighten the city.
By 2012, Flowerscape featured displays on every traffic island, downtown corner, and expressway ramp. Additional installations enhanced Alexander Park, Cotter Park, Lock 3 Park, and the Judith Bear Isroff Park. That year alone, 39 beautification sites showcased more than 36,000 plants, all maintained through advanced computerized irrigation systems. In 2013, the Flowerscape budget reached $140,000, and through continued efficiency and professionalization, the program has been able to maintain stable costs in the years since.
The impact of these colorful oases extends far beyond their visual appeal—they inspire pride, strengthen neighborhoods, and showcase Akron’s commitment to beauty and community. Because Flowerscape is a public program, ongoing private-sector support is essential, and supplemental funding must be raised annually to keep these gardens thriving.
Today, the Flowerscape program is led by a full-time Flowerscape Director who spends months designing landscape plans and coordinating plant orders. As Clean Up Akron Month (April) approaches—our largest volunteer effort of the year—our two-person crew works alongside the director to prepare beds for another season of stunning blooms.
Thank you to our Flowerscape Sponsors
The Orr Family Foundation sponsors the Howard & Ridge Street corner (Cuyahoga Valley Railway Station).
Akron Children’s Hospital sponsors the Flowerscape at E. Exchange and Dart.
The Orr Family Foundation sponsors the Glendale Cemetery site.
Akron Community Foundation sponsors the Flowerscape at Alexander Park.
Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the Lion Bed on High St.
We are currently looking for someone to sponsor the Flowerscape site located at Civic Mall – Charles Goodyear Park (across from City Hall).
The Ohio Erie & Canalway Coalition sponsors the bed at Thorton and Dart
The Lehner Family Foundation sponsors the Flowerscape on Main Street from West Market to Exchange.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition sponsors the planter boxes on Pedestrian Bridge.
The Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the Flowerscape at Hotel Matthews.
The Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the Flowerscape at the greenspace between Main St. and Cascade Plaza, left of the Huntington building.
The Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the south side of Church Street, off of High Street near the Municipal Building.
Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the Flowerscape on top of Cascade Plaza.
The Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the Flowerscape at High Street, next to the Akron Art Museum and John S. Knight Center.
The Downtown Akron Partnership sponsors the Flowerscape at MLK and Main Street.
Sponsors give $5,500 of support to Keep Akron Beautiful, in order to maintain the Flowerscapes listed. All of the donors are recognized throughout the year on the Flowerscape signs in the respective beds. See more about donors on our Giving Page. Become a Keep Akron Beautiful sponsor today.
