The Cascade Locks Park Association’s executive director, who had been pushing for development of a zip line near downtown Akron, has been fired.
Ferris W. Brown was informed that the board of trustees axed him, effective immediately, from the top spot in the prominent Akron grass-roots group.
“A majority of the board was not satisfied with the current direction we were taking and wants to bring the group back in step with our grass-roots mission,” Phil January, a past president of the board, said.
He declined additional comment on why Brown was fired or the fate of the zip line, which is a heavy wire cable strung above the ground for rapid decent, often over ravines or other open spaces.
When reached for comment Friday, Brown said he was frustrated by the firing, and was given no reason but suspects the zip line was a factor.
The proposed zip line, however, might still be alive, he said.
Brown is seeking Akron City Council support to let him proceed with a new sponsor, perhaps the Waters Park Renewal Society, another local grass-roots group.
The zip line still would be located in the Cascade Locks Park on land either the city of Akron or Metro Parks, Serving Summit County owns, he said.
The Cascade Locks Park Association, Brown said, would have no ties to the zip line.
Association leadership has been talking about the zip line for 12 months and had arranged a $75,000 grant and a $50,000 loan from Akron. City Council had been expected to vote on the funding next Monday.
The zip course was proposed between the Ohio & Erie Canal and Howard Street. It would include two runs — about 900 feet and 300 feet in length.
Most riders would pay $10 to $15 per trip. Brown said he is optimistic the course could attract in excess of 15,000 riders this year.
No one on the association’s board had expressed opposition to the zip line, Brown said. He aggressively promoted it as a way to raise needed funds and bring more people to the park, which includes the historic Mustill Store and five canal locks near downtown Akron.
Brown was hired in February 2012, coming from Branson. Mo., where he worked as the city’s finance director for a year. He previously served as a Medina County commissioner and auditor.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.