Previous Years’ Ideas

Trashy Art

Idea:

Little pieces of plastic everywhere…like tiny colorful treasures. Let’s get kids of all ages to collect them, even give them specific types of plastic pieces to collect: reflector bits, bottle caps, etc. divide them up into colors and make a beautiful mosaic. I am leasing the space at 119 Chelmsford street to open an art [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would not only result in a beautiful piece of artwork generated by and for the community, but would also benefit the environment.
Location:

OldIdea, Upper Highlands.

Urban Food Forest/Planting Fruit Trees

Idea:

Planting fruit trees in under utilized areas, downtown green spaces, parks, etc. Many people in Lowell crave tropical fruits, but they are not easy to grow here. Also, there is a shortage of fruit of all types for people or wildlife. I propose planting fruit trees such as apple, apricot, mulberry, and hardy Meader persimmons [Read more…]

Benefit:

Fruit is nutritious and expensive. Low-income people in particular don't get enough because of cost. Growing some locally would help these people as well as pollinators, helping to form a reserve of pollinators for gardens. It would be good for the environment because fruit bought at supermarkets is sprayed and [Read more…]

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Use Student Power

Idea:

We should sponsor or organize a K-12 or college science fair or symposium about climate change and sustainability in a public place. With all the changes in our understanding of sustainability, and especially in the face of the inevitable disruptions and dislocations of climate change, we need to plan for the future. That planning would [Read more…]

Benefit:

Not only would the research be of value for urban planning, it would provide a framework for the students that would give urgency and relevance to their studies. It would provide ample opportunity to exercise a wide variety of talents, get students more engaged in their studies and give them [Read more…]

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

Idea:

Hold a celebration for all volunteers in the Lowell community. This could include picnic-type food, music, or family activities. It could also have special awards for volunteers or groups to give recognition to those who did extra in the community but aren’t normally recognized with prizes donated by local businesses. We could partner with organizations [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would thank those who make the community a better place and encourage people to volunteer more. It could be combined with a fair for organizations to recruit new volunteers.
Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Wall of Peace

Idea:

This idea is based on the Shinto Ema shrine in Japan. It place where people leave their wishes. My idea is to build a simple wooden structure and have people come and write their hopes and dreams for peace in their homes, lives and in the world and tie them on to the structure To [Read more…]

Benefit:

This is a place where many generations can come together to share their hopes and dreams. I would love to have youth involved in building the structure. The space can become a meditative place. I think there is great benefit in having people share their hopes and dreams. even silently. [Read more…]

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Coffee House and Open Mic to Promote Diversity

Idea:

Support diverse narratives, music, dance, performance and oral history by inviting people in the Acre to share their short performance pieces. Possible venue: Western Avenue, maybe in the Onyx Room or the Loading Dock. I’m including a link to another open mic which is called Café Cultura Xpress Yourself which is located in Denver because [Read more…]

Benefit:

The Acre is a very diverse area with a multicultural history. Supporting an open mic in this area would help by promoting awareness of diversity — whether it is cultural, racial or ethnic diversity, LGBT diversity, disability awareness and issues affecting those with HIV and AIDS (and many other important [Read more…]

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Where can I walk my dog? Which parks are dog friendly?

Idea:

If you google Lowell Parks you can find a list of parks at Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust http://www.lowelllandtrust.org/sites/default/files/PDF-files/public-parks.pdf but the list doesn’t say much about the Parks themselves. Why not document the parks with images and comments and make it easier to find a new place for a quiet picnic or place to walk [Read more…]

Benefit:

It will offer ideas on where to explore in Lowell, hopefully get people out of their familiar haunts and encourage them to explore!
Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.