Previous Years’ Ideas

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.

Weekly or bi-weekly evening walks (for non-walkers and mere mortals)

Idea:

I propose something which I routinely do myself, and that is a late night 3 mile walk that begins and ends at 230 Gorham Street. The length, time and duration can be revised based on participant consensus but a start time after 9:00 PM ensures recreation of the ideal ambiance. My experience: During the late [Read more…]

Benefit:

The idea is cost effective as there Is no cost associated with walking the public areas of Lowell. The walk also has the positive effect of increasing ones caloric outtake and naturally expending energy at the end of the day as opposed to other less than healthy options (like a [Read more…]

Location:

Back Central, OldIdea.

Welcome to Spaghettiville Sign Restoration

Idea:

Restore the “Welcome to Spaghettiville” Sign (train bridge intersection Gorham & Moore St.) Paint sign on both sides. At the same time, since the bridge is very low and notorious for accidents, mark for “low clearance” but in a more aesthetically fitting way. For example, black & white reflective stripe at bottom of bridge. (or [Read more…]

Benefit:

Revive/ preserve unique Lowell neighborhood icon. Add traffic safety to hazardous bridge in a fun and unique way!!

Location:

OldIdea, Sacred Heart / South Lowell.