AKRON, Ohio — Rachel Roberts loves to sing in her hometown of Akron and describes her style as "folksy, jazzy and bluesy."

"It kind of has that fun Akron unique vibe. I've been playing here for 20 years," Roberts said.

Sitting under a tent on a Wednesday, Roberts performed her original music to people who passed by Lock 3 Park in Downtown Akron. She feels invigorated by the resurgence of the park.

"I gotta tell you, it feels so good just to see people come back down here, walk around. I see big smiles on people's faces," Roberts said.

Roberts has seen those smiles during multiple concerts she attended at Lock 3 as a music fan over the summer.

City of Akron drone video, provided to News 5, shows large crowds filling the park on Main Street for various acts.

The park underwent $17 mill

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