Ithaca’s Collegetown Bear Walk Sept. 1st

Following on the success of last year’s inaugural event, Cornell University and the City of Ithaca will host the 2nd Annual BEAR Walk and a Health and Safety Info Fair on Tuesday, September 1st from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm on the 400 Block of College Ave.The purpose of the event is to help build a robust Collegetown community of students, full-time residents, the City of Ithaca, and Cornell University.To make time for set-up and clean-up, Collegetown will be closed from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm during which time TCAT routes serving Collegetown will be detoured as follows: Routes traveling from downtown to Cornell will travel East State St., Mitchell St., Ithaca Rd., Rte. 366, Hoy Rd., Campus Rd. to East Ave. Routes traveling from Cornell to downtown will travel from East Ave. using Campus Rd., Stewart Ave., to E. State St. Bus stops for Collegetown, Carpenter Hall and Anabel Taylor Hall will be relocated to Campus Rd. at College Ave. The bus stop for College Ave. at Mitchell St. will be relocated out to Mitchell St. at College Ave.This exciting occasion brings together students, neighbors, city officials, Cornell staff, and local businesses who share the common goal of promoting a greater sense of community and connection throughout the vibrant Collegetown neighborhood.The Health and Safety Info Fair will start out with remarks by President Elizabeth Garrett, Mayor Svante Myrick, and Student Assembly President Juliana Batista. Later, enjoy a cappella performances and visit resource tables where Cornell and Ithaca service providers will distribute health and safety information and tips on becoming a good neighbor and community member.Throughout the course of the evening teams of students, neighbors, University and Ithaca City Officials will also visit Collegetown residents door-to-door to discuss the initiative and distribute resources to help student and permanent residents build better neighborhoods together.“We were encouraged by last year’s turnout, and hope to continue building a strong tradition of community collaboration,” said Julie Paige, Director, Off Campus and Cooperative Living. “Collegetown is a unique and special place, and bringing its residents together helps to strengthen the integrity of the neighborhood as a whole and improve the quality of life for everyone,” she adds.