DAP will launch a once-a-month lunchtime walking program that will step off from various downtown sites.  The DAP program is in conjunction with Healthy Steps, a walking program sponsored by Akron General Medical Center in partnership with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, that encourages everyone to walk their way to better health.

“This will be a great way to not only get some mid-day exercise, but also to learn and see what’s happening downtown,” said Kimberlee McKee, president of Downtown Akron Partnership, in announcing the program.

Walkers will meet at a different designated downtown site each month.  Each walk will begin at 12:15 p.m. and end up back at the starting point at 12:40.  Walkers will then hear a 5-10 minute presentation about what is happening at the site and can be on their way back to work within an hour.  All the dates are Fridays.

Participants will get a quick slice of downtown Akron history in April, learn what Summit Artspace is all about in May and what’s up and coming at the new library in June.  July and August will track the construction progress of the new Akron Art Museum and the new loft construction at Northside.  The program will end in September at The Room at Main and Church.

April 28 - The program will kick off with a Downtown Tour beginning at the Lock 3 Main Street main gate with Larry Pentacost of Northeast Ohio Tours & Conventions.  Pentacost will lead off a walking tour of downtown Akron, giving us some history and revealing some secrets we never knew about Akron.

May 19 - Walkers will meet at Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St.  Jessie Raynor will give an overview of the types of programs it has to offer the Akron community.

June 16 - The meeting spot will be the High Street side of the Akron/Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St.  A representative of the library will show off the new building and what it holds.

July 14 - Walkers will meet up at the construction site of the Akron Art Museum on Market Street between High and Broadway.  Julie Ann Hancsak will give an update on the construction timetable as well as plans for the grand opening.

Aug. 18 - Northside Lofts is under construction, bringing much-needed housing to downtown Akron.  Joel Testa, of Testa Development, will give a construction update from the Furnace Street site.

Sept. 15 - Yes, there is a County Museum, called The Room at Church and Main, in the county offices at 175 S. Main St.  Communications specialist Heidi Day will give an overview of the museum and its 9-11 remembrance projects.

The Downtown Akron Partnership’s mission is to promote and enhance the cultural, artistic, recreational, and commercial vitality of the downtown Akron area. Since its inception in 1995 the Partnership has been a catalyst for enhancing the downtown environment with programs such as First Night Akron, Operation Neat Streets, and comprehensive marketing and branding campaigns.