"We are very interested in having children and their
families view the Towpath Trail, the Metroparks, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park as a
place to get healthy," said John P. Debo, Jr., Superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley
National Park. "Last year we received great feedback from the participates, parents
and children alike, we heard they had incredible experiences in a natural resource they
did not know was so close to home. Not only were they able to learn about new
opportunities in the area they also learned how to utilize them for future participation.
"
"Our parks really are a treasure for so many reasons," said Don Plusquellic,
Mayor of Akron. "It is encouraging to see so many people, especially young people,
out at all hours of the day and into the evening exercising, getting fresh air, learning
about nature and meeting friends along the Towpath. This is a natural resource that I want
to urge families to explore and enjoy."
"We know that physical activity is a vitally important component of health for
young teens, who are already developing their lifelong habits in fitness and nutrition,
said Dr. Keith Loud, Director, Center for Active Adolescent Health, Akron Children’s
Hospital. The challenge is in making it fun and easily accessible. In this region we are
blessed with this collective giant "backyard" - this program reminds us all how
close and how much fun the CVNP and MetroParks really are."
Get Up, Get Out & Go! kicks off Tuesday, June 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the
Mustill Store, 248 Ferndale St., Akron. Activities will include bike rides, games, music,
and food. Free parking is available at the Mustill Store and Akron Northside Station. The
City of Akron trolley’s will run between Akron Northside Station and the Mustill
Store from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Each Tuesday and Thursday from June 28 through August 2, kids will participate in
different activities from 7 to 9 p.m., including bike rides, hikes, scavenger hunts,
fishing, ‘goofball’ games, and more. Programs are subject to change.
Pre-registration is required. To register, call (330) 650-4636 ext. 2 or (800) 257-9477.
Thursday, June 28 Amazing Relay
A team relay race with twists: tasks you or your team must accomplish before running to
the next relay. Big Bent Trailhead of Sand Run Metropark
Tuesday, July 3 Night Hike
Come meet your winged and four-legged neighbors during this evening hike. Memorial Parkway
Trailhead
Thursday, July 5 Goofball Games I
A madcap collection of games that pit teams against each other - be prepared to get wet!
Big Bend Trailhead of Sand Run Metropark
Tuesday, July 10 Night Bike Ride
An evening bike ride along the towpath with grilled hot dogs to fuel you! Mustill Store
Thursday, July 12 Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt with critters, prizes, snacks, fun and friends. Memorial Parkway
Trailhead
Tuesday, July 17 Fishing Fare I
Hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to ride into Cuyahoga Valley National Park
for an evening fishing in Indigo Lake. Akron Northside Station
Thursday, July 19 Lost in Space
With the help of gadgets, gizmos, and compasses, can you survive this? Big Bend Trailhead
of Sand Run Metropark
Tuesday, July 24 Night Bike Ride
An evening bike ride along the Towpath from Big Bend with watermelon at the Mustill Store.
Big Bend Trailhead of Sand Run Metropark.
Thursday, July 26 Lantern Hike
Explore Akron, its history, and why it matters, in this evening hike. Mustill Store.
Tuesday, July 31 Fishing Fare II
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad takes you into Cuyahoga Valley National Park for another
evening fishing at Indigo Lake. Akron Northside Station
Thursday, August 2 Goofball II
The final night event: more goofy games with a park and recreation twist. Big Bend
Trailhead of Sand Run Metropark.
Get Up, Get Out & Go! will end with a grand finale, Saturday, August
4 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road., Peninsula, Ohio. Kids and
families are invited to participate in activities such as canoeing, tie-dying, challenge
courses, and games. At 6:30 p.m., percussion group HeartBEAT
Afrika will perform. HeartBEAT ’s style of percussion using
trashcans, buckets, traditional African drums, conventional drum set, and rhythms played
by feet, body, and hands. This ensemble performs a mixture of street percussion,
traditional African percussion, song, storytelling, theatre and dance. Activities begin at
4:30 and the concert begins at 6:30. If it rains, the pre-concert activities are cancelled
and the concert will be held at Happy Days Visitor Center. This concert is funded through
the generous support of Audio-Technica, Kulas Foundation, and promotional support by WKSU
89.7 FM.
Registration is required for every event except the kickoff and the grand finale. To
register, call (330) 650-4636 ext. 2 or (800) 257-9477. Individuals interested in
volunteering at any of the events are encouraged to call Happy Days Visitor Center at
(330) 650-4636 ext. 3 or (800) 257-9477.
Free transportation is provided to all the activities from the following locations in
Akron:
- Riedinger Middle School - 77 West Thornton Street
- Joy Park Recreation Center - 825 Fuller Street
- Lawton Recreation Center - 1225 Lawton Street
Get Up, Get Out & Go! thanks the following sponsors for their support; Akron
Community Foundation, FirstMerit Bank, Goodyear, Akron Children’s Hospital, WZIP 88.1
FM, Akron METRO RTA, and The Reporter.
The campaign partners include the following organizations: Akron District Church
of God in Christ; Akron Police Department; Akron Recreation Bureau; City of Akron; Great
Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America; Cascade Locks Park Association; Metro Parks,
Serving Summit County; Riedinger Middle School; and TCB Community Initiatives Program.
CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron.
Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational,
and natural activities in one setting. For more information call (216) 524-1497 or (800)
445-9667 or visit
