The Neighborhoods of Lowell

Idea:

Lowell Walks! has done an amazing job of documenting Downtown, Cambodia Town and parts of the Acre. Perhaps it is time to take to the neighborhoods? Joining with members of various neighborhood groups to create a document/self guided tour about what makes that neighborhood special?

Benefit:

We know the neighborhoods by name and by what we read/hear in the news . . . join some of the Facebooks groups that focus on memories of Lowell and you start getting an idea of the richness of neighborhood life both then and now. Shouldn't we be celebrating that [Read more…]

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

The View from Christian Hill

Idea:

Residents of all ages gather atop Christian Hill Reservoir in late afternoon to share telescopes and learn about geography/astronomy by viewing Boston in the southeast or Mount Wachusett in the west, and then watching the sunset and checking out stars in the sky during the evening.

Benefit:

Bring residents together to learn about geography/astronomy from atop a beautiful spot in Lowell.

Location:

Centralville, OldIdea.

Ticket to Lowell

Idea:

Boston is just a 45 min train ride from Lowell, yet most Bostonians have never made the trip. “Ticket to Lowell” aims to change that by promoting a special weekend event where an MBTA ticket becomes a coupon book to the city. Prior work will be done to coordinate discounts/deals with local businesses, and DIY [Read more…]

Benefit:

By advocating for more tourism into Lowell, this idea will bring in money to support local businesses and grow the economy. Although structured as a single event, the goal is to use this weekend as a catalyst for further tourism into Lowell through the existing commuter rail system.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Tiki Boats on the Canal

Idea:

Have a one-time event partnering with a business or oganization that runs gondolas or tiki boats. Pick a canal that has calm waters and work with the agencies to do a one-time event that would test the feasibility of having people pay for boat rides on a canal. If this is successful, maybe we could [Read more…]

Benefit:

The canals are a under-utilized and under-maintained area in the city. Having a tiki boat, or multiple tiki boats that could run on the canals could provide insentive in keeping them clean, while also creating a fun attraction that could even support tourism in the Summer months.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

ID a Spot for Tiny Homes for the Homeless

Idea:

A DIY Lowell team could investigate the feasibility of a redesigned space in the community with tiny homes for the homeless. The Team would talk to stakeholders, experts, and property owners and produce materials about the feasibility of tiny houses.

Benefit:

It would allow homeless people to feel more dignity as part of our community while providing some shelter from bad weather.

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Tiny Music Park(ing) Day Stage

Idea:

Just like park(ing)day, but with musicians and bands! We create the stage and set-up and get the permits, and we do outreach to musicians, bands, poets, to do open-mic style entertainment. Donations could provide stipends for entertainers. This could tie into a Park(ing) Day 2.0–since they figured out logistics and materials last year, there’s more [Read more…]

Benefit:

Free music, happiness spreading! 🙂

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Touch a Truck

Idea:

Have trucks from organizations willing to let kids climb on them. Have different nonprofits match with a truck. Participants donate food/hygiene items to be given to organizations in need.

Benefit:

Community partnership, community awareness, helping those in need. Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts involvement.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Tour de Lowell

Idea:

A big version of this happened in Lowell previously. This could be smaller to work back up to the big event. Close off a street or series of streets and riverside paths to create a bicycle racing circuit similar to the marathon. Find sponsors for race. Have a variety of distances and divisions, including a [Read more…]

Benefit:

Bring people downtown, get to tour the city on a bike. Increase bike awareness of Lowell.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Track

Idea:

I wish to have more pools in Lowell and soccer fields and track.

Benefit:

Allow kids and adults to live a healthier lifestyle and spend more time outdoors.

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Traditional Medicine Festival

Idea:

Traditional medicine and alternative medicines can provide healing and relief for many people. Working with Lowell Community Health Center or other trained professionals, we could put on an event that teaches the community about the availability and efficacy of traditional healing methods alongside modern techniques. This may be combined with traditional and modern art and [Read more…]

Benefit:

Build bridges between communities and promote healthiness. Destigmatize ailments such as addiction and mental illness. Increase participants’ understanding of the many cultures of Lowell.

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.