WORKGROUP ON
Leisure and Hospitality
Jane Bond, Moderator
Tom Tatum, Resource Delegate
Workgroup Members:
Lisa Hanna and Mike Wendelken
Leisure
Goal
Leisure and recreation should be affordable, accessible and with
sufficient variety to appeal to different interests, ages, capabilities and limitations.
Leisure opportunities should promote relaxation, exploration, learning, physical and
mental health and enjoyment of life.
Strategies and Resources
- Use neighborhood identity to identify and develop leisure sites and recreational
activities that would be in the immediate vicinity of each resident.
- The entire city would be identified and organized by well-defined neighborhoods. Local
place names such as Wallhaven, Maple Valley, and Goodyear Heights would be designated for
every area of the city. Each neighborhood would have its area marked by an identifying
symbol or banner on street signs, flags or markers. Each neighborhood would conduct an
annual event such as a street fair, ice cream festival, art show, or concert.
- Within each neighborhood a survey of existing leisure sites and activities would be
conducted. Each neighborhood would identify the types of activities that would serve its
unmet needs. A diverse selection of leisure activities would be available within each
neighborhood. Certain facilities would be located within every neighborhood. For example,
every neighborhood would have a park with a playground, a community hall, a
walking/jogging path, and a public garden.
- An inventory should be conducted to identify all existing facilities, which could serve
multipurpose uses as leisure or recreational sites.
- Capital improvement funds should be allocated for developing specific leisure sites in
each neighborhood according to the needs identified by the neighborhood. A team of
community organizers must be developed to work with residents to organize neighborhood
leadership. Priorities and decision making must occur at the neighborhood level and not be
imposed by city officials.
- The Parks and Recreation Department should serve as a resource for each neighborhood
organization. E-mail and faxes should be used for regular communication within
neighborhoods for planning and implementing activities.
HOSPITALITY
Goal
Visitors to Akron should have a welcoming, positive experience. The
"Spirit of Akron" would be the warmth and sincerity of residents in greeting and
assisting visitors.
Strategies and Resources
- Encourage an attitude of pride in our community that we enjoy sharing with visitors.
Enthusiasm about our community should be communicated through our leadership.
- Use distinctive, prominent signage to identify sites of interest to visitors and have
routes clearly designated for easy access.
- Create pocketsize brochures that identify by interest area local resources. For example,
a brochure that lists all the historic homes that are open to the public, all the art
galleries and shops, all the sports teams and fields, all the theaters, etc. Place the
brochures each hotel and visitor site.
- Create driving tours of Akron.
- Develop a website designed for visitors with sites of interest, activities, schedules
and fees.
- Provide the hospitality industry with coordination through the city government and the
Akron Regional Development Board.
- Cleanliness of city streets, sidewalks and public areas should be maintained on a
regularly scheduled basis. Vacant commercial or residential property should be subject to
forfeiture and sale if no viable economic activity occurs for a period time. Blight is
destructive to the community around it and creates a negative economic and social
environment for visitors and residents alike.
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