Signs of Transformation in University Park
Nearly Sold-Out Zips' Home Opener at the
New InfoCision Stadium -Summa Field
Expected to Attract More
Than 29,000 Fans!
The University of Akron will open InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field in grand fashion on September 12 as the Zips host Morgan State. The contest will mark the first football game on
campus since 1940.
More than $61 million was invested in the construction of the stadium complex that seats 30,000.
Less than 1,000 reserved
tickets remain for the Zips home opener versus Morgan State. General
admission and student tickets for the stadium opening contest
are sold out.
Kick-off for the inaugural game at InfoCision Stadium-Summa
Field this Saturday, September 12
is set for 2 PM.
More
Zipnic Helps Build Community in
University Park
On the evening of September 2nd, UA's Associated Student Government along with University Park Alliance,
UA's Student Affairs and UA's Dining Services, teamed up to hold "Zipnic,"
a neighborhood picnic designed to provide University Park residents,
including UA students and permanent residentswholive in the area South of Exchange Street, an opportunity to interact
with each other and begin to build
a stronger community.
The
event featured free pizza and hot dogs, a live broadcast by WKDD,
inflatable jumpers, kickball, cornhole and ultimate Frisbee.
Neighborhood businesses and nonprofit organizations provided displays
with lots of giveaways. The Akron Cooperative was on hand to recruit residents to participate in the University Park community gardens program, and ASIA, Inc recruited volunteer for the University Park street light monitoring program. More than 60o people attended
Zipnic.
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Our Partners
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With Major Funding By:
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YMCA and Summa Announce
University Park YMCA
Summa Health System and the Akron Area YMCA are
partnering to build the $11 million University Park YMCA on Summa's Akron City Hospital campus.
The 60,000 square-foot facility is expected to open in 2011 and will
bring the YMCA's renowned youth and community programming to the University Park neighborhood. Additionally, the
University Park YMCA will be a state-of-the art health and wellness
facility featuring racquetball and basketball courts, indoor pools, a
cardiovascular and strength training center, indoor running track and
other amenities. Groundbreaking is expected later this year.
As part of the partnership, Summa Health System's Rehabilitation
Services will provide physical therapy, along with occupational and
speech therapies on the second floor of the building and in the
building's fitness facilities. Summa's patients and employees will
enjoy easy access to the University Park YMCA through a covered bridge
that will connect the facility to the new parking garage and Summa
Akron City Hospital. More
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"Light-UP"
Lantern Festival in University Park
"Garden of Earthly Delights"
Saturday, October 24
6:00 PM
Presented by University Park Business Association (UPBA), the Light-Up Lantern Festival in
University Park promises a whimsical night of family fun and adventure. On
Saturday, October 24, University Park will come to life with a magical
display of lantern lights, music, dance and performance art.
Family friendly, free and open to the public, the Light-UP Lantern Festival in
University Park merriment will begin at Don Drumm Studios & Gallery with an
exhibit of work by gifted artists. A lantern procession will then wind its way through
the streets of University Park to find more music, visual art, and
theatrical performances by many talented artists.
Says Leandra Drumm, UPBA board member and special events chair, "This
is going to be a magical night of fun, as neighbors and families stroll through
the lantern lit streets of University Park. You aren't going to want to miss
the lantern parade, costumes, music, and entertainment! We encourage everyone
to let their inner child out to play and join in the excitement."
Crazy outfits and lanterns are welcome and encouraged! Lantern-making workshops will be held across the University Park neighborhood and on the UA campus prior to the event. 
University Park residents create lanterns at Zipnic
Organized and presented as a signature event by the UPBA, the event is co-sponsored by University Park Alliance, Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, University Park Development Corporation, Immix Studio and 91.3 the Summit. Event planning is being provided by Leandra Drumm Designs Inc.
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United Way of Summit County Plans Second Year of Neighborhood Leadership Institute
 Organized by United Way, the Neighborhood Leadership Institute of Summit County is
designed to develop grassroots leadership through an eleven-session curriculum that
includes classes on leadership topics ranging from strategic planning to
neighborhood development.
University Park Alliance is committed to helping develop community leadership that will
contribute to improving the
quality of life for University Park neighborhood residents. To this end, University
Park Alliance is supporting
United Way of Summit County's initiative.
Classes
will be held at Quaker Square on Thursday evenings March through May
2010. Dinner will be included. The application deadline will be in early January 2010. University Park Alliance will again offer scholarships to eligible
applicants residing in the University Park neighborhood.
Interested University Park residents should contact UPA Assistant Director Beth Houseman, bh37@uakron.edu or 330.972.7358.
For more information about the Neighborhood Leadership Institute of Summit County visit the United Way of Summit County website at uwsummit.org/NLI/NLI.htm.
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Spotlight on
Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Unleash the flavor! Each
of Thirsty Dog's beers is meticulously handcrafted in small batches using the
finest ingredients. Try Hoppus Maximus, Old Leghumper or Roo Brew's Litigation
Lager. They are all brewed in University Park in Thirsty Dog's
rehabilitated 140-year-old building on Grant Street, formerly the home of Burkhardt
Brewery.
Take our video tour to find out more 
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Bike Week Celebrated With Crank UP!
Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
and After Party
U niversity Park Alliance and The UA Bike Club sponsored two
great events in University Park on Sunday Sept. 6 in celebration of the second
annual Akron Bike Week.
The Crank UP! Bicycle Scavenger Hunt was part road race, part scavenger hunt, as
cyclists took to the streets of University Park for a rousing good time in the
second annual "Amazing Race"  style competition. Two groups of cyclists raced
for a chance to win exceptional prizes. A long race was offered for more
adventurous cyclists, while those who preferred a more leisurely ride chose a
shorter race. Both races started at the University Park Cycle Shop and
concluded at University Park's Grace Park for the Crank UP! After Party.
The Crank UP! After Party featured the tight power pop of Audio Eagle
Records artists "Other Girls," as well as food and exhibitors in a party-in-the-park
celebration of cycling and other aspects of sustainable living. Visitors checked
out the displays, listened to the band and ate great local food.
University Park
nonprofit organizations Akron Cooperative, ASIA, Inc and LINKS Community &
Family Services each received an adult-sized Schwinn Meridian Tricycle to
enhance their organizations' operations. These tricycles are stable, have a
cargo basket, are made for hauling, and are perfect for getting around a
neighborhood like University Park that is bike-friendly, with bike lanes and
designated bike routes. Each
of the three nonprofits also had the chance to test their athleticism and their
ability to withstand public humiliation as they participated in
wild relay races for an additional cash prize. Congratulations to
LINKS Community & Family Services for their big win!
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Remember to Attend
the Parks and Recreation
Final Plan Open House!
September 24
University Park residents and business owners are reminded to attend this meeting for a presentation of a tentative
plan for community review.
To RSVP for these free events please e-mail: info@upakron.com or call: 330-972-8859
Questions? Contact Beth Houseman, Assistant Director, University Park Alliance: 330.972.8859 or bh37@uakron.edu.
Those who are unable to attend the meeting can still participate in the planning process by going to www.ohio.com/recplan for more information.
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University Park
Nonprofits!
Discover What
Service-Learning Can Do For Your Organization
Sponsored
by The University of Akron, University Park Alliance and Ohio Campus Compact,
the Engage
to Learn, Learn to Engage: Service-Learning and Community Engagement Institute is a free event scheduled for October 29 and 30 at the Quaker Square Inn at The
University of Akron.
Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy
that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to
enrich the learning experience for university students, teach civic
responsibility, and, of particular interest to our nonprofit and education and
faith-based partners in University Park, strengthen communities.
What does your organization stand to gain from attending this free event? - More hands to get your work done
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More young people within your pool of volunteers
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Improved current services and innovative new ones
- Access to technical knowledge and resources
- Positioning your organization as a leader among nonprofits
The Institute is being co-hosted by the following UA departments: Design and Development Services, Institute for Teaching and Learning, University College, and the Office of the Senior Vice-President, Provost and COO.
For more information, please visit uakron.edu/itl Or email ITLGA2@uakron.edu |
About University Park Alliance
The
mission of University Park Alliance (UPA) is to revitalize and
transform the diverse University Park neighborhood, a 50-block area immediately
surrounding The University of Akron, through engaging the community and
leveraging real estate & business investment. UPA was established
through a major grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
and is comprised of partners including The University of Akron, City of
Akron, Summa Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General
Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing
Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and
University Park Development Corporation.
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