Pictured are new bike racks in downtown Kent. The
“GreenTown at Kent” conference will bring together the
public and private sectors from around Ohio to work
toward creating healthy, sustainable communities.

A conference on creating healthy, sustainable communities across Ohio will take place at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center on April 13 and 14. “GreenTown at Kent” will bring together the public and private sectors from around Ohio to work toward creating healthy, sustainable communities. Attendees will experience the revitalized downtown Kent, 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 www.greentownconference.com/register.

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 1 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Mark Fenton, former Olympic race walker, champion of walkable, bikeable communities, and host of “America’s Walking” on PBS will lead a one-hour engaging and interactive walk of downtown Kent, which is free and open to the public. The walk will begin and end at the Kent State Hotel and Conference Center.

The conference will continue on April 14 with registration and breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. Beverly Warren, Kent State president; Dave Ruller, Kent’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 Kent Central Gateway for participants to experience the Kent community on bike. The bike tour, which offers the opportunity to view innovative projects, future improvements and proposed developments in Kent, also will feature a discussion at Plum Creek Park, Holden School and Recreation Center, and Kent 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 Kent” is sponsored by Kent State, Burbick Companies and the city of Kent, 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.

For more information about the “GreenTown at Kent” conference, including the conference agenda, visit www.greentownconference.com/upcoming-events/greentown-at-kent-creating-healthy-sustainable-communities-across-ohio.