Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler

Currently, outside of Akron, mentioning Lock 3 usually draws curious stares underscored by a whole raft of questions, but there was a time when reference to the Ohio and Erie Canal—whether lock 3 or any other segment—fit perfectly into the conversations of the day. 

The canal in its heyday was, after all, the equivalent of UPS, FedEx, and myriad freight companies all rolled into one, and Akron was a major port of commerce. Akron, in the name of posterity, has maintained a remnant of this once important shipping system but the emphasis is no longer on the distribution of tangibles, but the redistribution of the wealth of joy and excitement so abundant in their city this time of year. 

In the parlance of yesteryear a lock described the altering of water levels to accommodate boat travel through the canal, but in modern day Akron it is probably best expressed as a lock on fun. 

In 2000, on the site of what was once a boat yard and dry dock, the city began the transformation of what has become Lock 3 Park. Located downtown at 200 South Main Street, it is the hub of metropolitan entertainment with live music, festivals, and special events that rock all year long, but in December it glows with a holiday spirit that cannot be matched at any other time. 

The symbol of the season that will no doubt be first to catch your attention is the ice skating rink that seems to have sprung from the applause of the last fall festival right where lawn chairs and blankets were placed for easy listening. From November through February the grassy commons is transformed into a 10,000 square-foot enclosed glassy pond where you can thumb your nose at inertia and glide endlessly to the beat of your inner rhythm. It’s the largest seasonal skating facility in Ohio and it’s yours for only the cost of putting on your skates.  If you’ve disposed of those old skates at the last garage sale, or if ice blades are something you’ve always been tempted to try, you can rent a pair: $3 for adults and $2 for children, and lessons are available.  

New this year is the Rink Grille and Food Court. When you work up an appetite, it’s the place where you can gladden the soul as well as warm your body next to open fires while indulging in hot chocolate and bratwurst. 

If you skate yourself into blissful fatigue you may want to hop on the Magical Train—a fantasy-like trackless conveyance that appears to have escaped from Disney World—roaming over Lock 3 Park, delivering adults and children to the many attractions along the way. 

You’ll want to hop off at the American Toy Marble Museum that displays the history of the first mass-produced toys: clay marbles. While building the park, an archeologist for the museum conducted a dig on the site of the old factory discovering thousands of marbles along with a number of “penny toys,” one of which was a curious ceramic figurine of a chubby little man with a long white beard and pleasant face clad in a hooded blue coat; It was Santa—the first, the real, American Santa Clause. 

Research has shown that the small statue is likely the oldest three- dimensional figure of Santa in existence. It was manufactured in the latter part of the nineteenth century at a time when Santa’s physical characteristics were well accepted in western culture, but there was no endorsed dress code for the jolly old gent. It was some time later when the red costume with white fur trimming became standard issue. Of course it’s all the more reason why the original  “Blue Santa” displayed at the museum is such a treasure. 

Historically important too, is the next-door Akron History Exhibit. It’s significant for showcasing Akron’s success mainly in the tire industry, but also how Akron’s early businesses were related to Ohio’s canal system—the foundation materially and symbolically for Lock 3 Park. It’s an interesting note that the canals were dug by hand, and mostly by immigrants earning 30 cents per day, working from dawn to dusk. Even then, cost overruns on the government project amounting to millions of dollars nearly broke the state.

On a brighter side, some of those immigrants were no doubt ancestors of the creative citizens from Akron’s sister city of Chemnitz, Germany. Sponsored by the Downtown Akron Partnership, the German artists and craftsmen have returned for another Christmas season to display their work in the holiday market.  The market lining the park is defined by the uncommon gift selections available in shop after shop for the whole month of December. Back again by popular demand, for example, is world-class glass blower Mario Hausdorfer, but there is a legion of talented German artisans who for the past several years have helped to make the Lock 3 celebration a success.  

And the local artists of gingerbread fame have decided to exhibit their baking expertise in the basement setting of the former O’Neil Department Store.  Adjacent to the park, it is found easily by simply following the aroma. What could be a more traditional sign of the season than the spicy scent of ginger?  There are Hansel and Gretel-type houses, gingerbread men, villages, figurines and more—1000 items—said to be the largest gingerbread display in the country. 

No one should go away empty handed, nor without their soul filled with joy. To further enhance your outing, the city has taken special care to make the final part of the journey trouble free. There are several parking lots in the immediate vicinity of Lock 3 that are free after 6 pm on weekdays and all day on holidays and weekends. From there, free shuttles run about every 15 minutes to the park.  

Akron mayor Don Plusquellic says, “Even with the difficult economy, families still need free, wholesome, winter-time fun as we have sponsored since 2004.”

One former participant put it more bluntly. “For hassle-free holiday fun this is where the rubber meets the road.” Perfectly appropriate for the city of Akron. 

The skating rink is open Thursdays 11am to 9pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11am to 11pm, and Sundays 12pm to 6pm.

By Robert Carpenter

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