7 17 Credit Union Park

7 17 Credit Union Park opened in 1997 as Canal Park in downtown Akron, Ohio, and immediately established itself as one of the finest Double-A ballparks in the country. The 7,630-seat stadium was designed by HNTB Architecture and positioned along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal towpath, connecting the venue to the waterway that once made Akron a vital commercial hub. The ballpark's construction was part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown Akron, which had suffered from the decline of the rubber industry that had defined the city for a century.

The stadium's design references Akron's industrial heritage with exposed steel, brick, and concrete elements that echo the factories and warehouses that once lined the canal. The main concourse offers views of the Akron skyline, and the canal towpath trail passes directly behind the outfield wall, creating an unusual pedestrian connection between the ballpark and the city's recreational trail system. The playing field sits below street level, and the compact seating bowl generates an intimate atmosphere that makes every seat feel close to the action.

The Akron RubberDucks, renamed from the Akron Aeros in 2014, serve as the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The franchise has been a consistent producer of talent for Cleveland, and the ballpark has hosted future Major League stars including CC Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, and numerous others who passed through Akron on their way to the big leagues. The RubberDucks name pays homage to the rubber industry that made Akron the "Rubber Capital of the World," connecting the franchise to the city's defining economic legacy.

The ballpark has been renamed through several naming rights deals, arriving at its current designation as 7 17 Credit Union Park. Through each rebrand, the facility has maintained its reputation as one of the Eastern League's premier venues. The stadium's influence on downtown Akron has been significant, catalyzing development in the surrounding blocks and providing a gathering place for a community that has navigated significant economic transitions with resilience and pride.