Part of the interactive playscape at Darling Park, Sydney Australia byAspect Studios
This what I’m talking about! Creating parks that draw children in and capture their imaginations for hours on end through endless movement, experimentation and, what the designers of Dalring Park call, “acceptable risk taking.” (FastCo. Design)
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Can you think of anywhere in your community where some innovation & inspiration is needed?
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NOTE: Traverse City is no Sydney Australia and we won’t be matching this output on our waterfront. However, part of the goal from the 2010 planning process was capturing the essence of creating play through out the entire project, namely at Clinch Park. We do this through great design.
Downtown isn’t going to win big box shoppers and the mall isn’t going to win the person seeking character & history. We could pay someone to park but the Bed, Bath & Beyond shopper still wouldn’t come downtown.”
Tonight the City Commission will hold a study session concerning the 2012 construction project at Clinch park, including the fate of the mini-steam engine train ride. If you have a concern about what the direction that this space will take over the next 40-50 years, please consider attending or sending an email to the commissioners. At this point, they need to be reminded that people have high expectations for a re-imagined waterfront. For a few, that may include keeping a train ride, for many others it does not.
Also on the agenda and of interest is a discussion of major projects and a 2-year strategic planning process…I know these two topics don’t jump out at you with excitement, but it is an opportunity to see the direction of staff and the commissioners.
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If you want to help get the Bayfront project back on a path towards something great, please take a moment today to contact the City Commissioners. They need to be shown some love and support for a waterfront that City residents can be proud of.
My vote: convert “Lot O” into a park with a LEED certified bathroom/warming area and if another deck goes in, a bathroom is required. Where we pee shouldn’t fall on the backs of businesses, lest they choose to rebel (NYTimes).
with numerous studies from different cities the world over repeatedly suggesting positive economic benefits on a local scale, urban bicycle networks could provide our cities with a much-needed economic boost.”
We’ve built a 45 mile per hour world, one that moves too slow to be efficient yet too fast to provide a platform for value. Our transportation system embraces mediocrity, not from a lack of resources, but from a lack of focus. We must quit fooling ourselves, understand what it means to really create value in a transportation system and commit ourselves to building Strong Towns.”
RTeverybodywalk Quote of the Day: “The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.” ~Buddha
RT stevemouzon One test for potential for greatness is how infrequently someone lets urgent small things trump important big things
RT transportdata ”Social life happens when we walk or bike. It doesn’t happen in a car.”
RT urbandata $45 of every $100 spent at a locally-owned business stays in local economy. Only $14 of that same $100 spent at chain store stays.
RT Maddz4planning Not new knowledge. Crime leads to perceived risk and inactivity. Encouraging biking and walking is about more than just lanes and sidewalks
RT ellyblue Yeah! RT @remyholwick: elizabeth braun begs to differ; she bikes in heels, dresses, and suits– aggressively– daily, and has for years.
…to all who bother to read. To everyone who contributes to the discussion. To those who contribute with guest posts. To those who contribute to the cause.
…to all who engage and represent in their local governments. To those who engage and represent with area organizations. To those who are all in to protect and improve the commons.
…to all who gleefully use public spaces. Who take an elder to a park, sit on a park bench with a child and occupy our public drinking fountains. To those who stop to linger. To consider.
…to all who feed our brains, minds and bodies. To everyone who challenges us. To the strangers who pass by and leave behind subtle, powerful gifts. To those that become friends.
…to all that believe it is worth the effort, thank you.
After two years, two local high school students have finished their tribute history to Hickory Hills, Traverse City’s municipally operated ski hill. Molly Tompkins and Ryan Ness have collected stories from hundreds of people for the tribute to the hill where they learned to ski.
The result, titled “Light the Night“, will be on the bookshelves this December. The easiest way to purchase a copy is to order direct from their website at Preserve Hickory Hills. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Preserve Hickory organization to work with the City of Traverse City and the Ski Club to ensure that Hickory Hills is preserved for the coming generations.
“We knew Hickory Hills contributed significantly to Traverse City’s heritage, but through the process of writing this book, we have come to realize its history is richer than we ever imagined,“wrote the authors in the Record Eagle earlier this month.
Some fun facts they came up with:
Hickory Hills was the first Michigan ski area to have lights for night skiing.
Traverse City High School was the first school in the state with a varsity ski team.
Little known, but there are also 5-kilometers of cross-country ski trails.
As a reminder of what type of memories will happen in just a few weeks–how about a face-plant at the 48 second mark of the following video. Oh, the memories, you gotta have them.
A big MyWHaT thank you to Molly and Ryan for the book and the continued support of a great community destination and service.
Have a memory of Hickory Hills?
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NOTE: Hickory Hills remains a topic of discussion at the City since it was tagged as an “unnecessary subsidy” by some in the COFAC report. Although there is no immediate threat that the City would even think about selling it, that was where some people started. Currently, the City is exploring options of how to raise revenue from the property. Two suggestions out there include designing and building for summer events (mainly an attractive lodge) and the addition of a tubing run. You can view the Tubing study at the City’s Hickory Hills web page. If you’d like to contribute to the discussion, the Parks and Recreation Commission meets every first Thursday of the month or you can send us an email.
“How not to flash people wearing a skirt on a bike?” via vanmoof
You might recall our visit to the HUB last year when we recorded this insightful discussion with the owner, George Bliss.
Hat tip to B.P. Ding! Ding!
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NOTE: I understand that we are gearing up for winter bicycling now, and that this video might not seem time-appropriate, but you never know when a heat wave may come through and inspire spring attire.
Part of the interactive playscape at Darling Park, Sydney Australia by Aspect Studios
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