Established in 1976, the Akron Roundtable is a community forum that inspires and promotes dialog by presenting speakers who inform and educate listeners on diverse topics of importance to the region, the nation and the world. To date, more than 400 major corporate executives, writers, government officials, artists and civic leaders from around the country have shared their ideas with the region.

Each Akron Roundtable event will be recorded by media studies students working for the Z-TV television station, with guidance from PBS Western Reserve and Ideastream producers, offering a valuable, hands-on learning experience for the students. 

All AKRON ROUNDTABLE episodes are available to stream on-demand at PBSWesternReserve.org or the PBS App following their broadcast premiere.

Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):

Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6 PM

The Legacy of the Ohio & Erie Canalway: Accessible, Equitable, and Welcoming Parks, Trails and Public Spaces
Daniel M. Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

Since 1994, Dan Rice has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, the non-profit organization working on the development of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area and Towpath Trail.

Working in partnership and collaboration with over 150 dedicated and passionate public-private partners, Rice has worked to implement the vision of Congressman Ralph and Mary Regula of developing 90+ miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, preserving historic buildings like the Richard Howe House and restoring trust with neighborhood residents and developing high-quality public spaces at Lock 3 and Summit Lake NorthShore Parks. Rice will share lessons learned from his 32-year career of cultivating public-private partnerships, developing authentic relationships with neighborhood residents, leveraging over $75 million of private, local, state, and federal resources for the Ohio & Erie Canalway and Towpath Trail.