Update on Lake Erie Nutrient and Algal Issues Gail Hesse Ohio Lake Erie Commission March 30, 2012.
Akron Summit Community Action Inc. Veronica Sims Kyle ... · As the spine of the Ohio & Erie...
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i TOWPATH EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A vision to enhance and connect Akron’s Towpath Trail The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail attracts and retains young professionals and talent who use active transportation alternatives, provides a key spine linking Akron’s recreational and entertainment destinations, and stimulates community and economic development including restaurants, shopping and lodging. Community collaboration facilitated by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition with the support of the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation MISSION The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a world-class recreational resource and it is the centerpiece of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. As the spine of the Ohio & Erie Canalway, the 101-mile Towpath Trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal, from shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to the rural landscape of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Akron and Summit County were the first city and county in Ohio to complete the entire length of the Towpath Trail within its boundaries in 2012. With the generous support of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition facilitated a community engagement project to identify ways to enhance, activate and connect the Towpath Trail to regional assets like the Akron Art Museum and Akron Zoo and neighborhoods like Highland Square, North Hill, Summit Lake and University of Akron. The Alta Planning + Design team was hired to evaluate existing conditions and identify opportunities to enhance the Towpath Trail and develop safe on-road connections. The iTowpath Community Engagement Project examined how individuals and families currently utilize the Towpath Trail and how they want to use it in the future. Throughout the robust public engagement process, including public meetings and social media, conversations took place about how “I Towpath to work”, “I Towpath to recreate” and “I Towpath to school”. Working in partnership with the City of Akron, Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit County Government, AMATS, Akron Metro RTA, Summit Metro Parks and all of our community partners, we are stimulating community and economic development and creating a legacy for future generations. Everyone loves a great trail. One of the reasons the Towpath Trail is unique is because it provides the beauty of nature within the heart of a major city. While cycling or walking along a trail is comfortable for most people, locations where the trail crosses Akron’s streets can be a problem. Wide crossings with fast cars are not conducive to a calm experience for Towpath Trail users. At the same time, connections along nearby streets that improve the cycling and walking environment can allow more users of all ages and abilities to be able to access the trail without needing a car. By improving trail crossings and accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians along Akron’s streets, the study team sought to make every home a trailhead. On top of that, the team wanted to allow everyone ages 8 to 80, from children to grandparents, the ability to safely and comfortably access the trail from downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. Proven methods for achieving these goals include several infrastructure enhancements which are shown on the map on the back. ENHANCING THE TOWPATH THROUGH DESIGN Steering Committee ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Krista Beniston Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study Rob Bobel National Park Service Lisa Dannemiller Cascade Locks Park Association Andy Davis University of Akron Jason Dodson Summit County Government George Ebey Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Katelyn Freil Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Suzie Graham Downtown Akron Partnership Eric Green The University of Akron Bill Hunter Cuyahoga Valley National Park Service Phyllis Jividen Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study Kyle Kutuchief John S. & James L. Knight Foundation Kris Liljeblad Metro RTA Roza Maille Akron Art Museum Gregg Mervis Akron Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau Phil Montgomery City of Akron Tony O’Leary Akron Metropolitan Area Housing Authority Chelsea Parsons Erie & Ohio Canalway Coalition Rob Peters Summit Metro Parks Doug Piekarz Akron Zoo Roger Read Citizen Dan Rice Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Jason Segedy Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study Veronica Sims Akron Summit Community Action Inc. ACTIVATE THE TRAIL CONNECT COLLABORATE THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT Identify destinations and community assets Highlight public access along the Towpath Trail Activate locations along the trail Connect community destinations to the trail A mural and an arch provide an attractive gateway to the Towpath Trail Trail underpasses can become more inviting through paint and improved lighting On-road bike facilities on Bartges St can connect the zoo to the Towpath Trail Wayfinding concept to help people walking and biking navigate the Towpath Trail Implementation The Foundation of the iTowpath Community Engagement Project is the diversity of public-private partnerships working together to obtain the private, local, state and federal resources necessary for the planning, design and development of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail enhancement and community connectivity. Working in collaboration with our community partners, the iTowpath Community Engagement Project will develop an enhanced and activated Towpath Trail with regional connections to area attractions and neighborhoods. iTowpath is coordinated by Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, in partnership with The City of Akron and Downtown Akron Partnership and the generous support of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more information, please contact the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition at (330) 374 - 5657. VISION: http://facebook.com/OhioErieCanal @TowpathTrail, twitter.com/TowpathTrail @towpathtrail, instagram.com/towpathtrail/ ACCESS & ACTIVATION ANALYSIS ASSETS ACCESS ACTIVATE CONNECT Quaker And Ash Underpasses Akron Zoo Connector Wayfinding
Transcript of Akron Summit Community Action Inc. Veronica Sims Kyle ... · As the spine of the Ohio & Erie...
i T OW PAT HEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A vision to enhance and connect Akron’s Towpath Trail
The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail attracts and retains young professionals and talent who use active transportation alternatives, provides a key spine linking Akron’s recreational and entertainment destinations, and stimulates community and economic development including restaurants, shopping and lodging.
Community collaboration facilitated by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition with the support of the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation
MISSIONThe Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a world-class recreational resource and it is the centerpiece of the
Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. As the spine of the Ohio & Erie Canalway, the 101-mile
Towpath Trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal, from shores of Lake Erie in downtown
Cleveland, through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to the rural landscape of New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Akron and Summit County were the first city and county in Ohio to complete the entire length of the
Towpath Trail within its boundaries in 2012. With the generous support of The John S. and James L. Knight
Foundation, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition facilitated a community engagement project to identify ways
to enhance, activate and connect the Towpath Trail to regional assets like the Akron Art Museum and Akron
Zoo and neighborhoods like Highland Square, North Hill, Summit Lake and University of Akron.
The Alta Planning + Design team was hired to evaluate existing conditions and identify opportunities to
enhance the Towpath Trail and develop safe on-road connections. The iTowpath Community Engagement
Project examined how individuals and families currently utilize the Towpath Trail and how they want to use
it in the future. Throughout the robust public engagement process, including public meetings and social
media, conversations took place about how “I Towpath to work”, “I Towpath to recreate” and “I Towpath
to school”. Working in partnership with the City of Akron, Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit County
Government, AMATS, Akron Metro RTA, Summit Metro Parks and all of our community partners, we are
stimulating community and economic development and creating a legacy for future generations.
Everyone loves a great trail. One of the reasons the Towpath Trail is unique is because it provides the beauty
of nature within the heart of a major city. While cycling or walking along a trail is comfortable for most
people, locations where the trail crosses Akron’s streets can be a problem. Wide crossings with fast cars are
not conducive to a calm experience for Towpath Trail users.
At the same time, connections along nearby streets that improve the cycling and walking environment can
allow more users of all ages and abilities to be able to access the trail without needing a car. By improving
trail crossings and accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians along Akron’s streets, the study team sought
to make every home a trailhead. On top of that, the team wanted to allow everyone ages 8 to 80, from
children to grandparents, the ability to safely and comfortably access the trail from downtown and adjacent
neighborhoods. Proven methods for achieving these goals include several infrastructure enhancements
which are shown on the map on the back.
ENHANCING THE TOWPATH THROUGH DESIGNSteering Committee
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Krista BenistonAkron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study
Rob BobelNational Park Service
Lisa DannemillerCascade Locks Park Association
Andy DavisUniversity of Akron
Jason DodsonSummit County Government
George EbeyOhio & Erie Canalway Coalition
Katelyn FreilOhio & Erie Canalway Coalition
Suzie GrahamDowntown Akron Partnership
Eric GreenThe University of Akron
Bill HunterCuyahoga Valley National Park Service
Phyllis JividenAkron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study
Kyle KutuchiefJohn S. & James L. Knight Foundation
Kris LiljebladMetro RTA
Roza MailleAkron Art Museum
Gregg MervisAkron Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phil MontgomeryCity of Akron
Tony O’LearyAkron Metropolitan Area Housing Authority
Chelsea ParsonsErie & Ohio Canalway Coalition
Rob PetersSummit Metro Parks
Doug PiekarzAkron Zoo
Roger ReadCitizen
Dan RiceOhio & Erie Canalway Coalition
Jason SegedyAkron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study
Veronica SimsAkron Summit Community Action Inc.
ACTIVATETHE TRAIL
CONNECTCOLLABORATETHE COMMUNITYTO IMPLEMENT
Identify destinations and community assets Highlight public access along the Towpath Trail Activate locations along the trail Connect community destinations to the trail
A mural and an arch provide anattractive gateway to the Towpath Trail
Trail underpasses can become moreinviting through paint and improved lighting
On-road bike facilities on Bartges St canconnect the zoo to the Towpath Trail
Wayfinding concept to help people walkingand biking navigate the Towpath Trail
ImplementationThe Foundation of the iTowpath Community
Engagement Project is the diversity of public-private
partnerships working together to obtain the private,
local, state and federal resources necessary for the
planning, design and development of the Ohio & Erie
Canal Towpath Trail enhancement and community
connectivity. Working in collaboration with our
community partners, the iTowpath Community
Engagement Project will develop an enhanced and
activated Towpath Trail with regional connections
to area attractions and neighborhoods. iTowpath is
coordinated by Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, in
partnership with The City of Akron and Downtown
Akron Partnership and the generous support of The
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more
information, please contact the Ohio & Erie Canalway
Coalition at (330) 374 - 5657.
VISION:
http://facebook.com/OhioErieCanal
@TowpathTrail, twitter.com/TowpathTrail
@towpathtrail, instagram.com/towpathtrail/
ACCESS & ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ASSETS ACCESS ACTIVATE CONNECT
Quaker And Ash Underpasses Akron Zoo Connector Wayfinding
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX,Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
North Ave
Winter 2015 Winter 2015
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The i TOWPATH Community Engagement Project identifies opportunities to enhance, activate and connect the popular Ohio
& Erie Canal Towpath Trail to community assets like the Akron Art Museum and Akron Zoo and neighborhoods like Highland
Square, North Hill and the University of Akron. The Executive Summary includes a sample of proposed projects that are the
result of the feedback and contributions of residents of Akron and Towpath Trail users. The iTowpath map is a conceptual plan
that is designed to inspire new ideas about how to enhance and activate the Towpath Trail and identify community connections
to neighborhoods and local attractions.
Working in partnership with the City of Akron, Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit Metro Parks, Summit County Government,
AMATS, Summit Metro and our community partners, we shall make Akron a destination for young professionals and talent,
stimulate community and economic development and create a legacy for future generations.
Installation of self-contained bicycle service stations in three
locations in downtown Akron
Hands-on interpretive exhibits, music and sculpture designed to activate the Richard Howe
House Exploration Garden
Buffered bike lanes separate cyclists from motorists in travel
lanes and away from parked vehicles and opening doors
Comprehensive wayfinding signage assists trail users to navigate the Towpath Trail
and visit local restaurants and attractions
Improved landscaping, murals and gateway archway provide an attractive entrance to the
City of Akron
A road diet reduces the number of traffic lanes and provides an opportunity to allocate excess
width for bicycle lanes
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There are a number of underpasses along the Towpath Trail which offer opportunities
for a facelift including new paint and/or lighting enhancements
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Visitors to the Akron Zoo can access the Towpath Trail via
the Bartges Street connection, including signs and animal
prints on the sidewalk
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Cycle tracks would offer bicycle riders space and physical protection from
passing traffic
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Development of a loop trail around Summit Lake with
neighborhood connections to engage local residents and
stimulate community and economic development
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Students can access the University of Akron and the Towpath Trail via Mill Street
connection
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Bicycle Service Centers
Richard Howe HouseExploration Garden
Buffered Bike Lanes
Wayfinding Signage
Quaker and AshImprovements
Road Diet withBicycle Lanes
Underpasses Akron Zoo Connector
Street Level Cycle Track
Summit Lake Loopand Programming
University of Akron
i T OW PAT HA vision to enhance and connect Akron’s Towpath Trail
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iTowpath is a community engagement project facilitated by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition with the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
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Freedom Trail Loop connects The City of Akron
with the University of Akron, Tallmadge and Kent, Ohio
Freedom Trail
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Towpath Trail
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Connections
Freedom Trail
Study Area
