In Temple Square (Cuyahoga Falls Ave. and North Main area of North Hill) over the weekend the Knight Foundation sponsored the Akron Better Block. Better Block is an organization that helps select and set up areas to showcase what they could be like(usually for two days). Temple Square was made bike and pedestrian friendly, vacant store fronts were filled with local "pop-up" shops, there was outdoor seating, musical acts, a craft fair/farmers market, beer garden and more. There was definitely a festival atmosphere. North Hill's large immigrant community gave the event a cultural vibe - it looked more like something you would see in NYC. To me though it was more than a great weekend - it was a chance for some permanent change - AMATS has already recommended a road diet for North Main and protected bike lanes. I've heard that some of the pop-up shops may become brick and mortar businesses.
' Art installation by 'League of Creative Interventionists'
Dancing
Singing
Hanging
Selling
Cross Walking
Bocce Balling
Bubbling
Strolling
Smiling
Laughing
Riding
Arting
Ping Ponging
"From Above"
I was there all weekend and took a ton of photos - if you would like to see the rest check out this set on flickr.
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