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Jane’s Walk – Saturday, May 3, 2014

AMATS and the Downtown Akron Partnership invite the community to participate in Jane’s Walk, an international walking initiative.  Three walks will take place May 3 to explore three assets of downtown Akron: the Towpath Trail, the area’s history, and its arts and culture.

Jane’s Walk was created in 2007 by friends and colleagues of the late Jane Jacobs to celebrate the iconic writer and urban activist’s life and ideas.  Jane’s Walk provides opportunities for people to engage in city planning by meeting and exploring cities through short walking tours.  AMATS Planner Phyllis Jividen notes that the events encourage an environment where people choose to walk and interact.

Jividen

“It’s a great way for participants to experience firsthand our existing conditions of where we walk and to discuss ideas for improving the pedestrian presence through better connectivity,” Jividen continues, “At a time when our cities are experiencing significant transformation, these walks can create real change that acts as a catalyst for the issues that matter to local residents by engaging community discussion and collaboration.”

Downtown Akron will host three walks on Saturday, May 3.  Details about these walks appear below:

•  Towpath Walk: Hosted by Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rice, this walk begins at 11 a.m. at Lock 3 located at 200 South Main Street.  Participants are encouraged to share their insights and suggestions to make the Towpath Trail easier to navigate and better connected to downtown Akron.

•  Downtown History Walk: Hosted by Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio Executive Director Leianne Neff Heppner, this walk begins at 4 p.m. at the Akron-Summit County Public Library located at 60 South High Street.  Participants can share memories of downtown Akron and ideas on how to continue its preservation and progress.

•  Arts & Culture Walk: Hosted by Downtown Akron Partnership President Suzie Graham, this walk begins at 6 p.m. at Summit Artspace located at 140 East Market Street.  Participants are invited to explore downtown Akron’s current artistic landscape and offer ideas as to how the experienced can be enhanced.

For additional information about Jane’s Walk, please contact Phyllis Jividen at 330-375-2436 or by email at PJividen@AkronOhio.gov or visit janeswalk.org.