Akron to Honor Forgotten Souls with Schneider Memorial Park

Akron City Council has taken a significant step towards honoring the forgotten souls buried at Schneider Park by unanimously approving a resolution to rename the site Schneider Memorial Park. This decision, made during the council’s meeting on March 2, was largely the result of the dedicated efforts of local resident Jane Greenland, who has spent nearly a decade advocating for the recognition of those interred there.

Schneider Park, previously used as a burial ground for the Summit County Infirmary and a “poor farm,” has long been overlooked. The park is home to hundreds of graves, many of which have been forgotten over time. City spokeswoman Stephanie Marsh confirmed that Akron Mayor Shammas Malik supports the renaming and plans to collaborate with Councilwoman Jan Davis on an official event to mark the change.

Greenland, who lives directly across from the park, expressed her emotional connection to the cause. “They’re people and they have a soul, and God loves them and they’re good spirits,” she said, emphasizing the hardships faced by those buried in the park. “Every single one of those people had a really hard life.”

Historical Context of Schneider Park

The area now known as Schneider Park served as the burial grounds for the Summit County Infirmary, established in the mid-1860s. It operated until 1919, providing care for individuals who were often marginalized due to poverty, disability, or mental illness. Before the infirmary’s establishment, the site functioned as a poor farm, where those without financial means could work the land.

A detailed report from 1868 by inspector A.G. Byers paints a harrowing picture of life at the infirmary, describing deplorable conditions where some residents lived in wooden pens. Byers noted the tragic state of individuals confined there, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the treatment of the vulnerable.

The Push for Recognition

Professor Emerita Carolyn Behrman from the University of Akron has been instrumental in uncovering the history of the site. She revealed that 308 death certificates have been located, documenting burials over an eight-year period. Behrman noted that the grounds had also been used as a potter’s field, further complicating the historical narrative of the park.

Greenland became involved in this cause after observing Professor Timothy Matney conducting research in the park with his anthropology class. Inspired by the stories of those buried there, she began her mission to secure a fitting memorial. She reached out to Behrman and collaborated on ideas to honor the deceased, ultimately advocating for the name change to Schneider Memorial Park.

Greenland hopes the new name will prompt visitors to question the park’s history, fostering awareness of the individuals buried there. Her vision includes a commemorative plaque detailing the lives of those interred and the circumstances that led them to the infirmary. “A lot of them were — they didn’t have parents. A lot of them just didn’t have homes,” she remarked.

Behrman has also engaged the Summit County Historical Society to explore options for applying for a grant to establish a historical marker at the site. Greenland expressed her elation at the City Council’s decision: “I just felt that they needed to be recognized somehow as real people that are here in the park, like any other cemetery, a labeled cemetery.”

The renaming of Schneider Park is more than just a change of title; it represents a vital acknowledgment of the city’s history and the lives of those who once inhabited it. The initiative aims to ensure that the stories of these forgotten souls are not lost to time, echoing the sentiment that everyone deserves to be remembered.

For more information, contact reporter Derek Kreider at [email protected] or 330-541-9413.