What's New

If you have been to Akron recently you may have spotted some unique characters hanging around your favorite downtown landmarks.  There are now ball players in front of Canal Park, giant flowers blossoming in Lock 3, a score of musical notes playing near Musica and BLU Jazz+, and a giant legume standing in front of The Peanut Shoppe.

The characters are new artistic bike racks and are available for use by cyclists following the efforts of AMATS in partnership with the city of Akron and the Downtown Akron Partnership with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.  The twin purposes of the 17 new racks are to encourage bike travel throughout downtown and to highlight the unique nature of nearby attractions and businesses.

Krista Beniston, AMATS planning coordinator, says that the racks were funded by Knight Foundation and crafted by local artist, John Comunale.  The rack designs showcase iconic elements of the community and are one of a kind to Akron, Beniston observes.  “They are not only part of AMATS’ larger initiative to make the region more bike friendly by providing ample parking for cyclists, but they’re also fun and public art to be enjoyed by all,” she adds.

“By improving neighborhood life and public space, the initiative aims to make Akron more vibrant and create incentives for talented people to live and stay in the city,” said Kyle Kutuchief, Knight Foundation program director for Akron.  For questions about Akron’s new bike racks, please contact Planning Coordinator Krista Beniston at 330-375-2436 or email at kbeniston@akronohio.gov.