Many new buildings and developments have been constructed on the University of Akron campus recently — but a project of a different kind occurred Wednesday night.
It was a neighborhood get-together involving students, residents, athletes, coaches and businesses in the area bordered by Brown, Wheeler, Kling and East Exchange Streets.
The goal of the fourth event of its type — given the nickname Zipnic — was to help promote safety, awareness and working together to make the community stronger and a more pleasant place to live and work. It was held at Buchtel Field in the neighborhood, the former home of the UA softball team.
Zak Steiner, UA’s Assistant Director, Off-Campus Services, said the one-day outdoor picnic started in June 2009 and has taken place during the past three Septembers.
“We planned it in four days after some incidents happened down the street,” Steiner said. “We decided to do a community outreach at that time and we have turned it into a fall event. Zipnic brings the community together south of campus. We have a big population of students that live south of campus. This event brings the residents and students of this neighborhood together so they can recognize each other and watch out for each other’s houses, belongings and each other in general.”
UA officials are aware that crime has been a problem near Buchtel Field for several years, with sexual assaults and burglaries in the neighborhood.
Four UA employees — Steiner, Dr. Stacey Moore, Dr. Charles Fey and Denine Rocco — organized the event that attracted a crowd of around 500.
“We created this event to be able to help develop a sense of community pride, and to help the neighborhood work together with the students and the residents to create a better and more safe environment,” said Fey, UA’s vice president of Student Engagement and Success.
Children mingled with adults to take part in craft activities, a kickball game and other athletic events while a disc jockey played music.
“We call it a party with a purpose,” said Eric Green, UA Director of Off-Campus Student Services. “We like to, particularly in the fall semester, engage with the students and their neighbors. You can see when they check in to the event, we identify where they live [on a map]. We try to make that connection.
“This is one of those communities where you really don’t get to know your neighbors well, but we still do have families that have lived here for 10 to 15 years. Students live right next door to them and they don’t know them. This is an opportunity for them to get out and meet them. This is also part of a continuous partnership with Leggett Elementary School. We do multiple events with them throughout the year. This is the kickoff. We do a ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ with them during Halloween, an Easter egg hunt during Easter time and we do things during Christmas and Thanksgiving time.”
Jennifer Benak and her husband, Samuel Benak, enjoyed their hot dogs, chips, pretzels and drinks with their children Summer, Hailey and Trenton.
“The kids have a lot of fun,” said Jennifer, 26, a 2011 UA graduate. “They enjoy interacting with the students from the University of Akron. I have heard neighbors say how nice it is to socialize with the students and meet them.”
