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