Editor’s note: The Canton Repository is asking leaders in every Stark County township, village and city to share some highlights of what they have planned in 2026 for their communities. We will present these community highlights to you throughout the next few months.
CANTON – With 2026 in full swing, residents can expect to start seeing bike police patrols downtown, work being done on infrastructure and some park upgrades in the city.
Here’s some of what’s planned for Canton’s nearly 70,000 residents in 2026:
Bike police patrols are coming to downtown
Residents may notice a new police presence downtown as two officers begin patrolling on bicycles.
Officers Phillip Johnson and Brandon Shackle began working from the downtown substation at 309 Court Ave. NW earlier this month. They will be visible on patrol from lunchtime into the early evening, as well as during downtown events, weather permitting.
The initiative is part of Chief John Gabbard’s push to enhance community policing. He said when officers only interact with residents during crises, it can create limited perspective of the community and reinforce misunderstandings. Bike patrol officers will have an opportunity to interact on a more personal level.
“They’re spending time with people who are working in their yards or kids who are out playing,” Gabbard said. “They’re getting more from the community that is not part of a police-related call.”
Gabbard said the goal is to build trust and support downtown businesses and events. Canton also employs one full-time foot patrol officer.
Gabbard said additional policing community initiatives will continue into 2026. The department will host up to six We Believe in Canton community gatherings, offering family-friendly activities, food and resources in a fair-like setting. The events rotate through city parks and foster engagement with police and fire departments.
The Police in Parks initiative will also ramp up in 2026. The department adopted several parks throughout the city: Harmont Park, Vassar Park, King’s Park, Maryland Park, Brian’s Park and Crenshaw Park.
Last year, crime prevention cameras, benches, landscaping and police history-related signage were placed at the parks. This year, the department will host community meetings, cookouts and pop-up events in these spaces.
$44.6 million in infrastructure projects are planned
Canton has planned 23 engineering projects totaling an estimated $44.6 million in 2026, according to City Engineer Chris Barnes. Projects include street reconstructions and sewer rehabilitation.
The West Tuscarawas Street Corridor project is set to begin in the fall and will last about 2 years. Project plans include two roundabouts, a concrete median and utility upgrades.
The city will repave $4 million worth of streets and alleys, a total of 27 miles, starting in the spring.
A $3.65 million west side interceptor sanitary sewer rehabilitation will start in fall. The city plans to repair a long stretch of sewer pipe under the Stadium Park area.
Canton will invest $1.73 million in the spring to replace the bridge deck over the Nimishillen Creek near Lee Park.
Additional roadway, sewer and neighborhood-level improvements are also planned. Several more projects are expected to advance as designs are finalized and funding is secured.
$1.1 million in Canton park projects
Canton parks are set to receive upgrades totaling $1.1 million in 2026, $300,000 of which comes from grants and partner revenue, according to Parks and Recreation Director Doug Foltz.
“This list represents over $1.1 million in just new, updated park amenities,” Foltz said. “So we’re proud to move that forward this year.”
Stadium Park’s Timken Gatehouse is almost complete. The building, part of the Timken Estate, was built in 1911. It originally served as the formal entrance to the estate and mansion. Final steps before its completion include a bridge installation and outdoor patio furniture.
The Gatehouse will host public and private events with a public dedication set for the spring.
Stadium Park is also set to receive a challenger obstacle course, swings and a saucer swing and improvements to the waterfall and stone garden.
Crenshaw Park is set for upgrades as part of a $150,000 grant partnered with the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority. The project will add new playground features, including an exercise station, rock-climbing wall and swings.
Monument Park will receive new pathway lighting and expanded asphalt paving along the Waterworks Raceway channel. The improvements aim to improve visibility and safety.
Other improvements are planned across multiple city parks including Waterworks, Weis, Nimisilla, Mother Goose, Preston Young, Westbrook and Garaux.
“There’s so much that we are very fortunate to provide to the public,” Foltz said, highlighting 2026 improvements.
Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@usatodayco.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: What’s new in Canton for 2026? Bike patrols & infrastructure upgrades
Reporting by Abreanna Blose, Canton Repository / The Repository
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