Dust off your walking shoes !

People in the Village of Lakemore and Springfield Township may soon find it easier to walk from place to place in their communities. The Connecting Communities Program of the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) today awarded a $52,000 planning grant Lakemore and Springfield for a unique livability study. 

AMATS offers grants through its Connecting Communities Program to assist in the development of plans that promote vibrant, livable communities. The program promotes active transportation solutions such as walking and cycling in land use planning rather than motor vehicle use. Since its launch in 2010, the program has funded studies by Akron, Barberton, Boston Heights, Green, Hudson, Kent, METRO of Summit County, Montrose-area communities, the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA), Ravenna, Richfield, Stow, and Twinsburg. 


The Living in Lakemore/Spartan Trail Extension study will allow the village to identify connectivity improvements between its residential neighborhoods and commercial and recreational areas. New sidewalks throughout Lakemore are already being touted as the most likely strategy to be pursued under the study while dedicated bike lanes and improved transit access are other possibilities. AMATS Mobility Planner Heather Davis Reidl notes that – other than the west end of Sanitarium Road - there is a general lack of sidewalks in the village, which limits residents’ access to the Spartan Trail. The trail provides access to key destinations throughout the village including Springfield Lake Park and the Lakemore Plaza on Canton Road. However, access to the Spartan Trail is impossible in some places and it does not connect to the Springfield Middle and High schools.


Large portions of the trail are also without lighting and pavement. The study will identify potential sidewalk locations to provide safe access not only to the trail and schools, but nearby METRO bus stops, shopping, and parks. Because the village and township share the Springfield Local Schools system, both communities will use the study to identify sections of the Spartan Trail suitable for development as neighborhood access points to the middle and high schools. “Many of these students walk to school along Canton and Sanitarium roads with no protection from nearby traffic,” Reidl continues, “Creating a safe route to schools is likely welcome news to a community that lacks school-based transportation for its middle and high schoolers.” For more information, call AMATS at 330-375-2436 or visit the website at amatsplanning.org. AMATS is the regional transportation planning agency serving the Greater Akron area of Portage and Summit counties. Visit the website amatsplanning.org.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Holiday Event Pictures and Rundown for the village

Image
  Here is a run down and pictures of holiday happenings enjoyed by many this year. Residents and businesses volunteered and donated to help others throughout the village and township.  The Springfield Township Women's Club held its annual craft bazar in November. It was a success with plenty of vendors, gift ideas, decorations and homemade food. The club, which is made up of members from the township and village, supports many community needs throughout the year.   The police department held a very successful Fill A Cruiser event for two days at Dollar General on Canton Road. Shoppers donated toys, clothes, non perishable food items and money to help support Springfield Cares. Officers volunteered their time to man the cruiser and greet the shoppers as they made their donations.  Village officials participated in Shop With A Cop taking local students shopping with law enforcement to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and many bought for family members. They road in a caravan o
Read more

Village Memorial Day Parade information and Invitation for Participation

Image
The Village of Lakemore will continue a long-standing tradition of the annual Lakemore Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Dedication Service.  The parade will be held Monday, May 29, 2023, and lineup will be at the Springfield Junior Senior High School at 10 a.m. The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. Parade participants will travel down Sanitarium Road to Lake Road and end at the Memorial Triangle for the dedication service.  For more information call Tracy Sayers at 330-733-6125 EXT. 3. The invitation for those wanting to participate is below. The citizens of the Village of Lakemore cordially invite you or your group to attend or participate in our annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023.  Participation is free and a great opportunity to be noticed. Line-up is at Springfield Sr/Jr High School, 1880 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio, 44312 at 10:00 a.m. Step-off is at 11:00 a.m.  The parade route will be travelling down Sanitarium Road and turning right onto Lake Road. Our parade is one
Read more

STUDENT'S EXCITEMENT AND SMILES WERE SEEN AT THE SPRINGFIELD CARES BACKPACK GIVEAWAY

Image
   The students were excited as they anticipated receiving a new backpack and an assortment of school supplies to begin their new year.  It was the morning thatSpringfield  Cares organization held its annual backpack giveaway at Lakemore United Methodist Church. Volunteers were on hand to help out with giving out backpacks, passing out supplies and many other duties.  The event was Saturday August 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. The room at the church was sporting more than 500 backpacks and more than 400 students came though that morning to choose their favorite one. Nancy Rodrigues, coordinator of the event, said that she will disperse the rest of the backpacks to the schools and the upcoming Safety Town event. Those participating were GASP, Modern Movement Dance, Springfield Assembly of God with information ontheir upcoming events.  It was a great day filled with smiles. Those that donated or were volunterring were: Nativity Church, Springfield Assembly Church, Springfield Baptist Church, T&
Read more