AKRON, Ohio - The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition lit up the Towpath Trail Thursday, unveiling a luminous new look for a once dark portion under Russell Avenue. A new mural and multi-colored lighting transformed the trail into a more inviting place to gather, walk and bike.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan joined Canalway Coalition CEO Dan Rice and Knight Foundation Akron program director Kyle Kutuchief to unveil the revitalized underpass.

Beside the trail, a campfire for hot dogs and s'mores drew families with kids and dogs in tow.

The underpass work is part of the Canalway Coalition's iTowpath project, which was launched in 2015 and has received nearly$760,000 in support from the Knight Foundation.

iTowpath encompasses 20 projects all aimed at linking Akron's neighborhoods and creating a hub for community life and recreation around the trail. The long-term goal is to increase civic engagement while bringing together diverse Akron audiences.

"The whole point is to draw people to the Towpath Trail and give them a sense of safety and connection," Rice said.

iTowpath projects have brightened trail archways, installed bike stations, added engaging art, murals and music, and posted better signage.

"The results far exceed expectations," Horrigan said. "I want to keep doing these things wherever we can light things up, to make them innovative and make them cool. We need to get more people down here and we'll just keep laying those bread crumbs."

The Russell Avenue project was coordinated by the Canalway Coalition's Associate Board of young professionals. The Associate Board worked in May and June landscaping, clearing brush, painting and sealing asphalt shoulders. The lighting was installed in October.

Associate Board member Kyle Lukes said the mural and lighting were inspired by an episode of the "Big Bang Theory" TV show in which character Sheldon wears a shirt with a design signifying the Doppler Effect.

"We wanted the effect to inspire, with dynamic fun colors," Lukes said.

Kutuchief credited the Canalway Coalition for encouraging its Associate Board to come forward with creative news ideas. He also credited the Canalway Coalition's board of directors for thinking innovatively about iTowpath projects.

"Not all boards would say lighting under a bridge is a good use of time, but it's a great use of time," he said.

More iTowpath projects are planned for the next three years in conjunction with the Canalway Coalition's Reimaging the Civic Commons initiative.