Monthly Park Cleanup Competition

Idea:

Kids love their local parks but they tend not to pick up their trash very well. My idea is to come up with a competition for kids to keep their parks clean. Maybe giant containers that they have to fill up with trash or recycling, or some way of judging who get their park the [Read more…]

Benefit:

Kids build a sense of civic responsibility and the parks get cleaner. Also, competition is fun!

Location:

Citywide.

Rooftop Garden Demonstration

Idea:

On flat rooftops, there should be gardens and unused urban rooftops can be designed for community and volunteer-maintained gardens, where there can be volunteer days for anyone to come out and help maintain the space and bring home harvested produce. A DIY Lowell Team can create a “demonstration” garden on the roof of a public [Read more…]

Benefit:

It would increase the amount of local and affordable produce, while beautifying an under-utilized space or spaces in the city. Gardens help decrease CO2 in the atmosphere AND save energy bills for buildings. Less runoff water in sewage from storms

Location:

Citywide, Don't Know.

Dog Stations for Clean-Up

Idea:

Identify a key location or locations for Pup Poop Clean Up stations in the city so everyone has access to bags and a place to dispose of the bags. These can be temporary while the Team maintains them to see if they are a success.

Benefit:

It would help to maintain cleaner sidewalks, making the city look nicer and more friendly to pedestrians.

Location:

Citywide.

A Window to Art

Idea:

Fill some of the empty windows in derelict buildings with colorful artworks. These could each be made individually by artists, or they could all combine to make one cohesive artwork. Buildings would be chosen by the team based on impact to community and landlord interest.

Benefit:

This is a low-cost, temporary way to make derelict buildings more attractive prior to their redevelopment. It may draw attention to the building for investment, or it might brighten up the street the building is on leading to investment in neighboring buildings. It will also promote Lowell as an art-friendly [Read more…]

Location:

Citywide, Don't Know.

Little Free Galleries.

Idea:

Similar to Little Free Libraries, a Little Free Gallery is a miniature art gallery in a small box. (See this article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-free-miniature-art-galleries-are-popping-street-corners-across-us-180977967/) DIY Lowell could supply kits for individuals and businesses to construct their own LFGs all around the city. The boxes could be locked or opened if the art is free to take.

Benefit:

Makes art accessible to the general public for free. Builds community.

Location:

Citywide.

Little Free Craft Library

Idea:

A “little free library,” but for craft supplies!

Benefit:

Crafting is a great way to relieve stress. Many folks have started new craft hobbies during the pandemic, but supplies can be expensive! A little free craft library would create an easy way for folks to donate extra supplies, and perhaps inspire a passerby to try something new!

Location:

Citywide.

Hot Art

Idea:

Paint murals on surfaces that are hotter than surrounding areas with reflective paint that makes the surface cooler. Have events where kids can use temperature tools to see the difference.Put in environmental justice areas like Acre of Highlands

Benefit:

This is a good way to introduce the tech of reflective paint to help with heat islands in the city. LA has done this on schoolyard walls and other surfaces.

Location:

Acre, Citywide, Lower Highlands.

ID Spots for More Trash and Recycle Bins

Idea:

A DIY Lowell team would map the trash cans in the city (or ask for a map from city officials) and ideate/explore and suggest the places in the city that would benefit from additional trash or recycling bins. This could result in a presentation to City Council, a website, or even be combined with the [Read more…]

Benefit:

It can help to reduce the amount of litter in the city.

Location:

Citywide.

Neighborhood Evolution

Idea:

Interactive display/gallery of neighborhood maps in each neighborhood and how they’ve changed over the years, including personal/family story sharing and zoning education.

Benefit:

It would allow Lowellians and tourists to see how the city's neighborhoods and grown and changed over the years and hear personal stories from Lowell's history.

Location:

Citywide.

Police Officer Soft Skills Event

Idea:

A community-designed and facilitated outdoor event in which community members and police officers discuss the topic of “the way our kids behave and talk,” to help the officers better understand our community and our children as a way to reduce negative encounters with police.

Benefit:

This would help our police force to be more understanding through many culturally-focused lenses, and in turn make our community feel safer and hopefully allow us to be less worried about our children. Perhaps this event could lead to long-term training series/professional development.

Location:

Citywide.