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City of Akron and Akron Public Schools Work Together to Update School Travel Plan

Akron, Ohio, Jan. 11, 2024— Today, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Akron Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Dr. Michael Robinson Jr. are jointly announcing a collaborative process to update the city’s School Travel Plan. The School Travel Plan is a document designed to improve safety for children (K-12) walking and biking to school by identifying needed improvements in a 2-mile radius of each of the 46 public schools. The city will use this Plan to apply for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).  

“I’m excited to collaborate with Akron Public Schools as we update the city’s School Travel Plan,” said Mayor Malik. “The safety of Akron’s youth is a top priority for everyone and ensuring that students can easily walk or bike to their school of choice is the first step. I thank Superintendent Robinson and the APS staff and administration for their support in this process. This is just the beginning of the partnership between Akron Public Schools and my administration.”  

“The safety of our scholars is the highest concern for every administrator, parent, and resident. We are happy to partner with the City of Akron and Mayor Malik as they seek grant funding to help improve city infrastructure for our scholars’ safety,” said Superintendent Michael Robinson Jr. “Right from the start, Mayor Malik has shown his keen interest in collaborating with Akron Public Schools as a real partner in the work ahead to help our scholars thrive and I look forward to building on this relationship in the months and years to come.”  

Four public meetings will be held to gather feedback from the community in reference to safety concerns and potential safety improvements for children walking or riding their bike to school. Community members are invited to attend the most convenient meeting, regardless of their relation to any particular school.  

Public Meetings: 

  • Wednesday, January 17, 6:00pm - Ellet CLC Auditorium (309 Woolf Avenue)
  • Saturday, January 20, 11:00am - East CLC Auditorium (80 Brittain Road)
  • Saturday, January 20, 1:45pm - Innes CLC Cafeteria (1999 East Avenue) 
  • Wednesday, January 24, 6:00pm - Firestone-Litchfield CLC (470 Castle Blvd)

At the meetings, attendees will receive an informational handout, a presentation about the plan, information about current safety issues and proposed safety improvements, and given an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Feedback can be given verbally, written or drawn on a map, written on a comment sheet, or submitted electronically to the city’s Engage Page.  

The city is looking for the community’s feedback on locations where it is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists to travel in/near/around schools. Some topics of consideration:  

 

  • Is the sidewalk present and adequate for the route your child would or currently does walk to school?
  • Are there areas near a school where vehicular traffic and foot traffic conflict, especially during school arrival and dismissal times?
  • Are there locations near a school where an adult crossing guard is needed?
  • Are there places near a school where someone using a wheelchair may find it difficult or impossible to navigate?
  • Are there other barriers to walking or biking to school?

The updated School Travel Plan will be used to plan and seek funding for improvements that enhance walkability and overall pedestrian/bicyclist safety to keep Akron children safe on their route to school. Akron Public Schools is providing data necessary for the completion of the School Travel Plan and has been assisting with the planning of the community meetings.  

 

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Contact: City of Akron - Stephanie Marsh 

Director of Communications  
press@akronohio.gov 
330-256-1191 

 

Contact: Akron Public Schools – Mark Williamson            
Director, Marketing Communications 
maw45602@apslearns.org  
(m) 330 289 3468/ (o) 330 761 2930