By Foluke Omosun
A conference on creating healthy, sustainable communities across Ohio will take place at the ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State University Hotel and Conference Center on April 13 and 14. "GreenTown at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï" will bring together the public and private sectors from around Ohio to work toward creating healthy, sustainable communities. Attendees will experience the revitalized downtown ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, learn how to create walkable, bikeable communities and explore topics, such as clean water, local food, outdoor space and how to create socially responsible businesses. Registration for the conference can be done at
The conference is open to architects, builders, engineers, urban planners, hospital representatives, government representatives, mayors, elected officials, students, school administrators, colleges and universities, chambers of commerce and more.
Pre-conference workshops and activities will take place April 13 with registration beginning at noon and the workshops beginning at 1p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Mark Fenton, former Olympic race walker, champion of walkable, bikeable communities, and host of"America's
Pictured are new bike racks in downtown ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï. The "GreenTown at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï" conference will bring together the public and private sectors from around Ohio to work toward creating healthy, sustainable communities.
Walking" on PBS will lead a one-hour engaging and interactive walk of downtown ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, which is free and open to the public. The walk will begin and end at the ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State Hotel and Conference Center.
The conference will continue on April 14 with registration and breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. Beverly Warren, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State president; Dave Ruller, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï's city manager; and several other featured speakers will present on the second day of the conference. The event will feature several tracks and breakout sessions for attendees. A Bike-N-Brainstorm will take place from 2:15-4:30 p.m., beginning at the ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï Central Gateway for participants to experience the ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï community on bike. The bike tour, which offers the opportunity to view innovative projects, future improvements and proposed developments in ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, also will feature a discussion at Plum Creek Park, Holden School and Recreation Center, and ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State's Student Wellness and Recreation Center. The 5.8-mile bike tour is free and open to the public at all experience levels. Bike rentals are available but are limited. Participants in need of a bike must pre-register.
"GreenTown at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï" is sponsored by ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State, Burbick Companies and the city of ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, with several community supporters. "GreenTown" is co-produced by a5, a brand consultancy focused on sustainability, and Seven Generations Ahead, a nonprofit devoted to creating healthy, sustainable communities.
