NEWS
The City of Akron’s Northside Interceptor Tunnel Boring Machine, Elaine, Completes Her 1-mile Journey under Akron’s Riverside Drive
Tunnel Breakthrough Moves Akron Closer to a Renewed Cuyahoga River
Akron, Ohio, Nov. 13, 2025 — Yesterday, the City of Akron celebrated the arrival of Elaine, the tunnel boring machine, as she completed her over 6,600 foot journey more than 100 feet under the City’s North Hill neighborhood. Beginning tunneling on April 23, 2025, Elaine created the second largest storage tunnel in the City to hold and convey combined sewage during heavy rain events until it can be treated at the Water Reclamation Facility. The tunnel has a 16.5 foot inside diameter and can store 10.3 million gallons. The tunnel is expected to go into operation in December of 2026.
The Northside Interceptor Tunnel constitutes the next to last project required by the City’s federal consent decree with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. EPA. The final project remains subject to court proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, where the parties are currently referred to mediation.
“The city’s first tunnel, the OCIT, has had significant positive impacts to both our waterways and our residents,” said Mayor Malik. “During heavy rain events, we are able to keep 467 million gallons of combined sewer overflow out of our waterways. With the addition of the NSIT, we will be able to capture and treat 99.7% of combined sewer overflow events in a typical year. This is an outstanding achievement and one we are incredibly proud of. As we approach the end of our massive sewer system overhaul, I want to thank all of our employees, the Ohio EPA, the US EPA, and all the stakeholders from our community who have made this incredible transformation a reality here in Akron, especially our tunnel’s namesake Elaine Marsh.”
Originally planned to be a 20-foot tunnel spanning 10,000 feet long to hold 23 million gallons, the City sought the support of Ohio EPA and the United States EPA to “right-size” the tunnel in order to provide similar environmental impacts at a fraction of the cost to ratepayers. In April 2023, the Court issued an order amending the City’s Consent Decree to save ratepayers $40 million in costs.
The Northside Interceptor Tunnel’s boring machine was named “Elaine” in honor of the tireless advocacy of Elaine Marsh, who worked with communities, regulators, and local governments to do the complex, collaborative work of dam removal and waterway renewal all along the Cuyahoga River.
Crews will now work to complete the tunnel shafts and finalize connections to the tunnel before it goes into operation. The City expects the Northside Interceptor Tunnel to be in-service and fully operational by the end of December 2026. To learn more about the city’s work on the consent decree, visit www.akronwaterwaysrenewed.com.
Join Clean Fuels Ohio, Drive Electric Northeast Ohio, and the City of Akron for a hands-on EV Education Night at the Northwest Akron Branch Library (1720 Shatto Ave.) on Thursday, September 25 from 6-7:30pm!
Whether you're EV-curious, just starting your journey, or already driving electric, this free community event is packed with practical info and real stories from EV owners. Facilitated by Drive Electric Northeast Ohio, the evening includes a presentation, open discussion, and time for your questions. Plus, enjoy light refreshments courtesy of Clean Fuels Ohio!
KAB has launched an initiative to plant 100k trees in Akron by 2034. Why? The city's leadership measuring Akron's urban forest reveals we have lost a considerable amount of our ecosystem over the past decade. The city's commitment to do its part has been outstanding, however they do not have the resources by themselves to stop this trend. Private citizens and landowners will need to step up as well if we hope to turn the tide.
Planting Change is housed at Keep Akron Beautiful and is off to an amazing beginning. Despite the support, we are finding there just aren't many grant opportunities out there providing resources for KAB to buy actual trees. :)
So, we are throwing a trivia night fundraiser in March to raise some funds to fill this gap. A little goes a long way when it comes to trees, but we need your help.
Please consider building a team (minimum of 8ppl, max of 10ppl/per team)...sponsoring the event (still looking for trivia round sponsors @ $750/round, and a food sponsor @ $500)...or purchasing individual tickets HERE (we'll put you on a team).
IRA Grants - USDA Forest Service
We're excited to announce the second round of IRA grants. Funds supplied by the USDA Forest Service are intended to substantially invest in the long-term growth and development of local urban and community forestry programs. This Request for Proposal (RFP) is a follow-up grant to supplement the original grant program in 2024.
Grant Guidelines & Applications
-
Funding from $15,000 to $100,000
-
Include supporting documents with the application form
-
Applicants will be notified of funding status by June 15, 2025.
-
Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027
Download Guidelines and Application for Urban Forestry Programs [pdf
ODNR Grant Website for more information about this grant
Submit applications to
urban.forestry@dnr.ohio.gov
no later than April 1, 2025
Monarch Butterfly Roundtables
The Monarch Meeting series is an effort to stimulate public comment and information sharing in response to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's proposed rule to list monarch butterflies as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Energy & Transportation Industries
Wednesday, January 29th 6:30p
Northside Marketplace
General Information & Non-Profits
Wednesday, February 12th 6:30p
Northside Marketplace
Agriculture & Landscaping Industries
Wednesday, February 19th 6:30p
Northside Marketplace
Technology & Land Development
Wednesday, March 15th 6:30p
Northside Marketplace
Save the date! Summit MetroParks Foundation hosts 2nd Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The 120-minute compilation will feature family-friendly, inspiring stories from around the US and the world. All of the films are about the beauty of nature, how important conservation is, sustainability, and how we can all make a difference.
There are multiple showings, including a virtual option. All showings will have the same collection of films and are expected to sell out. So, make sure you grab your tickets when they go on sale December 2nd.
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 2pm or 6pm
Where: Nightlight Theater, 30 N High Street in Akron
Ticket sales open Monday, December 2nd
Find tickets and more info here:
https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/2025WildScenicFilmFestival
Zach Insight
Zach Freidhof
2024 NEWS
NORTHEAST OHIO NATIVE
Plant Swap and Resource Fair
The Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio is accepting applications for our 2024 Grant(s). We will consider projects that demonstrate excellence in research, conservation, or education that clearly support the mission and goals of the Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio (NPSNEO).
2024 Grant
Applications
My Backyard (My Home Park)
June 2024
Prairie Clover Path
MY HOME PARK
Native Plant Gardens for Ohio
Welcome to Ohio! This is your directory to over 40 native plant gardens that are all ecologically appropriate for Ohio and other states in the Great Lakes Region of North America. If you live in Ohio, these gardens will thrive with little maintenance while directly supporting the butterflies, bees, and other beneficial wildlife that share your yard.
Click Here for more information
Use this code and 20% will be donated to CLC's Native plant and Canopy Program
CLCMHP2023
What's Happening at Summit Metro Parks Cascade Valley and Akron's North Hill Neighborhood?
Gorge Dam Removal Process
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its partners announced a project agreement totaling more than $100 million to clean up nearly 875,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments from behind the Cuyahoga River Gorge Dam
For more information, check out the :
SMP Website
Akron's Northside Interceptor Tunnel Project
The City of Akron is advancing the tunnel project with construction of a 16.5 foot diameter tunnel beginning at the Cascade Valley Park Chuckery area, generally following Riverside Drive and terminating near the Front Street Bridge. The project also includes the Riverside Seer Separation Project, the Lower Northside Intercetor Lining Project,
For more information, check out the
AWR Website
Mayor Shammas Malik
Announces Akron's First
Director of Sustainability and Resiliency Director
Casey Shevlin
As the city's first Director of Sustainability and Resiliency, Casey Shevlin will be responsible for helping coordinate and grow the city's focus on environmental issues. Shevlin most recently served as the senior sustainability analyst in the Corporate Responsibility department at FirstEnergy, where she was responsible for improving the company’s performance on a range of sustainability topics, including climate change. Shevlin has previously worked in a variety of communications, research, and academic positions.
Shevlin serves on the Women’s Network Leadership Institute’s Advisory Council and on the Board of the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
She is originally from New York and received her B.A. in English from Emmanuel College and her M.A. in English from the University of Akron.
Casey Shevlin
Director of Sustainability
and Resiliency
City of Akron to Join
Power a Clean Future Ohio
Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) stopped in Akron to show their support for the City of Akron's resolution to join the PCFO.
Casey Shevlin (Director of Sustainability and Resiliency), Joe Flarida (PCFO Executive Director), Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, Alyssa Johnson (Program Manager) and Nat Ziegler (Program Manager
City of Akron Set to Join
Power a Clean Future Ohio
as 50th Member Community
Akron, Ohio, March 18, 2024 — Today, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik is introducing legislation to Akron City Council to officially join Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO). PCFO is a nonprofit organization focused on tackling climate change at the local level to build a more sustainable future. They help equip local leaders with tools and resources that empower them to create and implement carbon reduction plans that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical.
“I’m excited to team up with Power a Clean Future Ohio to pursue efforts that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental sustainability overall,” said Mayor Malik. “Preserving our environment for future generations must be a top priority. Partnering with PCFO will empower us with the tools necessary to create sustainability plans and build greenhouse gas reduction initiatives which in turn improve overall quality of life in the community.”
Participation with PCFO is free of charge to member cities. Partnering with PCFO provides opportunities to collaborate with cities/counties across the state on sustainability-related issues. It also allows Akron to share challenges and successes with peers. Akron joins other PCFO communities such as Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton and is the 50th Ohio community to join with the organization.
The City's Director of Sustainability and Resiliency, Casey Shevlin will work closely with PCFO as she sets the foundation for this newly created office and starts to lay out the vision and goals for Akron's environmental future.
“Joining PCFO is the next step in Akron’s journey towards a more sustainable future that is data driven and backed,” said Director of Sustainability and Resiliency Casey Shevlin. “In addition to joining PCFO, Mayor Malik has also formed the Office of Sustainability and Resiliency which is a first for the City of Akron. Akron was also recently announced as 1 of 25 cities selected for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program. This administration is committed to and invested in building a more sustainable future for our community.”
“Power a Clean Future Ohio is looking forward to welcoming the City of Akron as our 50th member community,” said PCFO Executive Director Joe Flarida. “We are grateful for Mayor Malik’s leadership and excited to work with city staff to identify achievable goals in carbon emission reductions that are equitable, economical, and measurable.”
POWER A CLEAN FUTURE OHIO
Summit Metro Parks Wild Back Yards
This year, Summit Metro Parks invites you to explore ways to make small changes in your own yard and make a big impact on local wildlife.
Help wildlife and earn rewards from the comfort of your own home! We can help wildlife thrive with small actions in our own back yards or adopted gardens. Download a form below and track your progress with simple checklists and tips from SMP experts.
WHY DO WE CARE?
Humans are a part of nature, too. When the plant and animal communities around us are healthy, it helps us thrive as well. Wild Back Yards encourages our community to work together to help wildlife and counteract the effects of habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. At Summit Metro Parks, we’re your back yard. And what you do in your yard can help us make an even bigger impact! Join us to receive more information about Wild Back Yards, with tips and useful guides for your back yard!
MORE INFORMATION
