Akron Rededicates Schneider Park as Memorial Site
City officials renamed the park to honor hundreds of individuals buried there from the former Summit County Infirmary.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in City Hall
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Akron city officials officially rededicated Schneider Park as Schneider Memorial Park this week. The move honors those once buried at the site who were residents of the historic Summit County Infirmary.
Why it matters
The renaming serves as an official acknowledgment of the hundreds of individuals buried at the site. It recognizes a vulnerable population, including immigrant workers, the mentally ill, and the elderly, who lived at the infirmary.
A survey identified evidence of 328 burials at the 370 Schneider Park Drive site, while death certificates document 308 burials. City Council unanimously approved the resolution to rename the space.
The players
Jan Davis
She is an Akron City Councilwoman who introduced the resolution to rename the park in March 2026.
Akron City Council
This is the legislative body for the City of Akron that unanimously approved the resolution to rededicate the park.
Summit County Infirmary
This facility operated from the mid-1860s until 1919 and housed residents who could not support themselves.
The details
The site functioned as a burial ground for the Summit County Infirmary during its operation from the mid-1860s until 1919. A nine-year effort by local researchers and community members led to the city council resolution that finally solidified the park's new memorial status.
Timeline
The Summit County Infirmary operated at the site from 1866 to 1919.
University of Akron students began mapping the graveyard in 2017.
Councilwoman Jan Davis introduced the renaming resolution in March 2026.
The city officially rededicated the park on October 28, 2026.
Political Context
The rededication marks a formal shift in municipal recognition for burial grounds associated with the historical mapping of the Summit County Infirmary burial ground. This action follows a pattern of local governance increasingly prioritizing the acknowledgment of overlooked community history.
The renaming changes the official designation of the space at 370 Schneider Park Drive to reflect its status as a memorial. Residents should note this update for local maps and park directories moving forward.
The takeaway
This rededication highlights the importance of historical research in shaping public spaces. Community-led initiatives can successfully influence local government to honor the history of vulnerable populations.
Further reading
For more information on local policy changes, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Akron Beacon Journal.
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Should local governments prioritize memorializing historical burial sites for the poor in your community?
