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The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition with a grant of $249,900 to be used toward iTowpath, a project designed to enhance the Towpath Trail with safe and identifiable connections to surrounding neighborhoods and area attractions. Read more about it on our iTowpath Flyer.

Why is the iTowpath project important?

The iTowpath project will make the Towpath Trail more accessible to various Akron destinations, more identifiable, more navigable, safer, more visually appealing, and stimulate community and economic development.

What geographic areas will the iTowpath project focus on?

The iTowpath project will reach as far north as Mustill Store and as far south as Summit Lake.

How will the iTowpath project be implemented?

With the help of Chicago-based Alta Planning + Design, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition will host a three day public planning process. This process will identify ways to enhance and improve the Towpath Trail, and find safe and identifiable connections to neighborhoods and area attractions.

Who is involved in the iTowpath project?

Alta Planning, along with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and its many community partners, will engage citizens, businesses, elected officials, park agencies, planning agencies, foundations, non-profit organizations, and school children, in an effort to best serve the public throughout the implementation of the iTowpath project. Key stakeholders associated with the project include City of Akron, Summit Metro Parks, Summit County Government, Downtown Akron Partnership, Akron Metropolitan Area Housing Authority, Ohio Department of Transportation, Summit Metro RTA, Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

How can I get involved?

The public planning process will take place March 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th and will encourage all citizens to come and share their needs, desires, and visions for the Towpath Trail. Participants are welcomed to stop by at any time throughout the planning process schedule listed below.

Public Planning Process:             

March 3^rd:                           Walk the Towpath, 1:00pm beginning in front of Akron Civic Theater
March 3^rd:                           Akron Civic Theater, Time 5:00-7:00pm
March 4^th:                           Summit Lake, drop in hours 11:30am – 1:30pm and 6:00-8:00pm
March 5^th:                           Akron Civic Theater, Time 5:00-7:00pm

The public can also give suggestions leading up to the public planning process with an interactive online map here: wikimapping.com/wikimap/Towpath.html. The public can also join the conversation on social media with the hashtags #iTowpath and #HeresHowiTowpath.

When can I expect to see results of the iTowpath project?

Noticeable progress will begin in the year 2015 and will continue as an ongoing process thereafter. Following the public planning process, the data collected will be utilized for the planning, programming, and construction of the determined components of the iTowpath project. The components will be used for rapid, medium, and long-term implementation, depending on the complexity of the proposals.