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.

Treasure Hunt in Lowell Downtown

Idea:

Have a summer activity involving learning about Lowell and its historic buildings/parks through a treasure hunt where clues will be planted at different locations in the downtown area.

Benefit:

All ages could be involved. People will learn more and appreciate Lowell and its vibrant community and history.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

UMass Lowell Block Party

Idea:

Close down the entire Riverview lot at South Campus for a day of festivities, rides, and musical performances. Open for UML students and Lowell residents jointly.

Benefit:

Strengthening forevermore the university/city relationship.

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Underground Railroad Monument

Idea:

People don’t know as much about the antislavery efforts in Lowell, and several locations downtown were important abolitionist hubs. Create a popup trail similar to downtown history trail or even a permanent monument to commemorate the Underground Railroad.

Benefit:

Educate and celebrate Lowell’s history and learn from the past.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Urban Food Forest

Idea:

Planting fruit trees in under utilized areas, downtown green spaces, parks, etc.

Benefit:

It would provide fresh fruit to the community while adding greenery to the city.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

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.

Vending Machine for Homeless

Idea:

Build a prototype version of a vending machine filled with essential supplies for people experiencing homelessness that could be accessed for free. These machines could be engineered to make sure their purchases are limited to 3x a day or once. They could be issued a special card, or potentially take an EBT card or cash.

Benefit:

Decreases panhandling, supplies people with the essentials.

Location:

Don't Know, 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.