Green space and green intentions — the city’s commitment to a healthy environment, fiscal health and quality of life for its people is a commitment to sustainability. One of the city’s partners in realizing a sustainable way of life is the Living Green Task Force. Celebrating 10 years this year, the Task Force is made up of city staff, residents and business representatives who are committed to promoting practical stewardship of the resources Green has in abundance.
The Task Force has championed such projects as the Growing Green Wetland, located in front of the Green Middle School, that offers natural stormwater treatment and serves as a living classroom providing habitat for wildlife and native plants.
The rain garden at the historic Lichtenwalter Schoolhouse in Boettler Park is another green infrastructure project consisting of native plants and flowers designed to temporarily hold and soak in the rainwater runoff while providing food and shelter for butterflies and other wildlife.
This year, the city installed two Level 2 EV (electric vehicle) chargers at the Central Administration Building as part of the city’s commitment to practical clean energy solutions and with a future view to being EV ready. These chargers joined others already operating in the community at Fred Martin Nissan, Cambria Hotel, the Shops of Green and the Akron Canton Airport.
Also this year, through the efforts of the Living Green Task Force, the City of Green became the 39th Ohio community to join “Power a Clean Future Ohio,” a nonpartisan coalition dedicated to working with local communities to develop equitable clean energy solutions to benefit the well-being of residents, the environment and the economy. “Local governments have a unique opportunity to provide awareness around clean energy,” says Terry Hogan, Living Green Task Force chair.“ Being a Power a Clean Future Ohio community gives us the flexibility to implement clean power in ways that make sense for Green and connects us with the funding opportunities that allow us to move our ideas forward.”