Canal Park
Akron, OH
Canal Park is the home of the Akron RubberDucks of the Eastern League. The RubberDucks are the Class AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. I have now been to this ballpark twice and neither time did I see a game. The first time was in 2002 and the second visit was in 2018. Both times the staff were kind enough to let us in for a quick look around and a few photographs. Maybe someday I will actually see a baseball game, but in the meantime, here is a mix of photos from both visits.
Review by Gary & Mike
The prime view of Canal Park can be had from the top of the parking garage behind the right field fence. This parking garage was once the other half of a venerable old department store, a real Akron landmark, but they tore down half of the building for the garage.
Canal Park is a very nice looking ballpark, set right in downtown Akron. There is actually a Canal that runs behind the left field fence, but you need to go onto the outside concourse in the left field corner to see it. The place is nicely done, with a great, compact, urban feel about it. It doesn't seem contrived. Instead it just seems to belong shoehorned between the Canal and the surrounding streets.
It looks like there have been a number of upgrades during the years between my visits. I thought it looked like quite a nice park in 2002, but the 2018 edition seemed even more vibrant and welcoming. The one place I feel they have downgraded is the team name. Akron Aeros was a great name. I will withhold comment on the RubberDucks.
Two non-game visits have left me with the impression that Canal Park should rightfully take its place as a point of pride for the home of both Goodyear and Devo.
2018
119
2002
63
