The Farm2Pantry Pilot Initiative has had a successful season thus far. In total, the Stadelman and Lover’s Lane Community Gardens have produced 177 pounds of fresh produce, which is all donated to local pantries.

At the Lover’s Lane Community Garden, the gardeners have implemented a new type of weed management system. A local restaurant provides spent wheatgrass mats to Let’s Grow Akron for use in the garden. These mats are placed upside down in the raised beds to reduce the growth of weeds around the vegetable plants. The weed management system has resulted in decreased maintenance and also helps maintain soil moisture. 

At the Stadelman Community Garden, the gardeners rebuilt the composting area, which now features several vertical staging bins. All organic waste produced by the garden is added to these bins for compost, yielding nutrient-rich compost to be added to the garden plots.  

LENDING LIBRARY

The Lending Library has kicked off at Lawton Community Center.

The Lending Library has sports and exercise equipment, including a basketball, yoga mats and blocks, hula hoops, exercise dice, and resistance bands.

Community members 18 and older can sign out equipment. Parents and guardians can sign out equipment for children under 18. Equipment can be borrowed for up to 72 hours.

Equipment can be used at the Lawton Community Center, local parks, such as Kerr Park, as well as in the comfort of your own home.

Stop by the front desk at the Lawton Community Center to borrow your equipment. For up-to-date hours of operation, check the Lawton Community Center webpage.

BOSS PARK

The community reviewed and approved the final design for Boss Park. The design includes a nature play area, a plaza with a shade sail, a native meadow, and accessible walkways throughout the park. The project is set to break ground this fall.

If you are interested in volunteering at Boss Park, join the Akron Parks Collaborative volunteer contact list.

If you have any questions about Boss Park, please contact:

Akron Parks Collaborative

647 E. Market St. Unit 6

Akron, OH 44304

330-801-5255

SUMMIT BIKE SHARE

CHC has partnered with Ohio & Erie Canal Way Coalition to expand the existing bike infrastructure network in the City of Barberton. Summit Bike Share flyers have been updated for the 2023 season and distributed throughout the community, and include information about the locations, the rental procedure, and the types of equipment available. Additionally, an accessible, step-through bicycle is now available to borrow.

To learn more about Summit Bike Share, please visit Summit Bike Share online.

LOCAL EVENTS

Middlebury Bike’N’Brainstorm

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Time: 10:30 AM

Starting/Ending Location: The Well CDC, 647 E Market St, Akron, OH 44304

Several community partners, including the City of Akron, The Well CDC, Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Network, AMATS, and Summit County Public Health have joined forces to host a bike ride and brainstorming session to receive feedback on improving bike infrastructure in the Middlebury Neighborhood.

The route will be approximately 4 miles., and will include portions of roads (of varying traffic levels and elevation changes) in Middlebury, as well as a portion of the Freedom Trail.

No Bike? No Problem. Free bicycle and scooter rentals will be available courtesy of SPIN© scooters and Summit Bike Share.

Final event information, including ride registration, will be available online by September 1^st.

For more information, contact Matt Stewart at mstewart@akronohio.gov

Mission

Activating community-led solutions to create sustainable change in policies, places, and population health.

Vision

Vibrant Ohio communities where everyone has access to healthy food and opportunities for active living.