Better Kenmore CDC

10/14/2026

Want to help make Kenmore a safer community? Your voice and your participation matter.

Join us Wednesday, October 21 at 6 PM for our next Community Safety Conversation. These meetings only work when people show up, share what they're seeing, learn from neighbors, and talk about how we can all be part of the solution.

Sometimes the data confirm what we’re feeling. Sometimes they tell a different story. Come be part of the conversation.

10/13/2026

🎃🖤 BOO on The BLVD just got a little spookier! 🖤🎃

We’re adding TWO special performances to this year’s festivities on Saturday, Oct. 31st!

🎪 1–2 PM | Circus on the Streets! Keep your eyes peeled for Divine Harmony bringing a little magic, surprise, and spectacle to The BLVD!

🕸️ 2 PM | A Spooky Musical Surprise! Rubber City Theatre will perform a number from The Addams Family Musical — the perfect way to add a little creepy, kooky fun to your afternoon!

Bring the whole family, enjoy the festivities, and get ready for a BOO-tiful time on The BLVD! 👻🦇

10/12/2026

We’re grateful for partners who have believed in Kenmore from the very beginning. Thank you to Akron Community Foundation for your continued investment in our neighborhood and for believing in what Kenmore can become. Your support helps us keep building on that foundation and creating the conditions for success for the next chapter of Better Kenmore CDC.

10/09/2026

We love seeing people step up to shape the future of their corner of Kenmore! Kenmore is a big neighborhood with many smaller pockets, each with its own character and people who care. It’s exciting to see another organization and a group of volunteer residents activate a space and gather community input on what the City should consider for future development.

As a small organization, we know we can only do so much. We can’t be everywhere or do everything ourselves—and we wouldn’t want to be! Seeing others take initiative and create opportunities for their neighbors reminds us that building a stronger Kenmore takes all of us!

Thank you River Guardians Ohio, Ward 9 Councilperson Tina Brode Boyes and the residents leading this activation!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

You may have noticed that the site of the former Youngs resturant has been getting a makeover in recent weeks. It’s part of a collabration between the City of Akron, OH Ward 9 Councilperson Tina Brode Boyes, a small group of Castle homes/ Kenmore residents and River Guardians Ohio to a reactivate this site once again. Since cleaning the site up we have seen the community responding with daily fishing, kayaking, and even a popup lemonaide stand!

Now the city is ready to hear from the community on what they would like to see at this site.

Sponsored by River Guardians Ohio we will hold a Fall Pop-up on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 from Noon - 4 pm.

This is your chance to tell the city your ideas on what you would like to see in this area, have a little fun and fill your stomachs at the same time.

Keep following us for more information to come! We hope to see you there! 🍁

10/02/2026

A little color and care can make a big difference. 🌿🌸

Thank you to Essentials Garden & Outdoor Living for donating and planting new plants in the planters along Kenmore Boulevard!

These may seem like small improvements, but they matter and help create the conditions for a stronger Kenmore. Taking care of our main corridor helps create a place that feels welcoming, shows pride in the neighborhood and supports the businesses and property owners who continue to invest here.

Thank you for investing in Kenmore and helping brighten The BLVD!

09/21/2026

🎃 Boo on The BLVD is back! 👻

Join us on Saturday, October 31 from 1–3 PM on Kenmore Boulevard for an afternoon of Halloween fun for the whole family!

Come dressed to impress for the Costume Contest for ages 0-14, fill those candy bags at Trunk or Treat, and venture into the Haunted The Rialto Theatre.

Grab your costumes, bring the kids, and come celebrate Halloween on the BLVD with us!

A big thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and community partners who help make BOO on The BLVD possible.

09/19/2026

🌻 Keep Akron Beautiful or Keep Kenmore Beautiful—what’s the difference?

This summer, our volunteers drove every corner of Kenmore looking for properties that showed pride in our neighborhood. They nominated over 100 homes and businesses that were clean, cared for and well-maintained, and they all received a Keep Akron Beautiful Certificate recognizing that effort.

But we gave our volunteers an additional challenge: from each of their routes, choose the three homes that really stood out.

These were more than well-maintained. Maybe it was the landscaping, the flowers, the creativity, the attention to detail—or simply that extra something that made you slow down and take a second look.

Those 15 homes received Keep Kenmore Beautiful recognition. 🏡🌸

We love having a reason to recognize the people who quietly put time and effort into their properties—not just because it makes their home look great, but because that care adds up block by block and makes all of Kenmore look better.

And for anyone already thinking, “Next year, I’m getting one of those signs…” — you’ve got plenty of time to start planning. Although somehow, spring will be here before we know it. 🌷😄

Supported by Akron City Council Neighborhood Partnership Program funding.

09/18/2026

🏆 And the winner is....

Over the past few days, we’ve introduced you to the 15 properties nominated for Keep Kenmore Beautiful 2026. Now it’s time to share this year’s winner!

Congratulations to Mary Amacher at 870 Hancock Ave! 🎉🌸

Keep Kenmore Beautiful is all about recognizing the everyday effort that adds up—the flowers planted, lawns cared for, porches decorated and properties loved. That pride doesn’t just make one home look good; it makes an entire street and neighborhood feel cared for.

Thank you to all of our nominees for helping Keep Kenmore Beautiful, and to the volunteers who traveled the neighborhood to find and recognize them.

Shout out to Tansy Recycling for teaching us about plastics and creating the beautiful centerpieces and Akron Glass Works for the handcrafted prize!

09/16/2026

One More Look Before the Winner 🏡

Here they are—our final group of Keep Kenmore Beautiful 2026 nominees!

After our volunteers completed their routes and submitted their nominations, we brought the volunteers, nominees and their guests together for an awards brunch to celebrate everyone who helps make Kenmore a more beautiful place.

That’s also where this year’s winner was announced. 🏆

We’ve now introduced you to all of our nominees…

Who do you think took home the 2026 Keep Kenmore Beautiful award?

Stay tuned—we’ll reveal the winner next! 🌻

📷Joey Houska