street trees throughout the city

Idea:

in addition to the proposed fruit trees just plain plant trees on neighborhood streets, residential and commercial alike, e.g., Norcross, Wilder esp. in vicinity of Morey School, Bridge Street; streets with sidewalks, and streets without sidewalks. Perhaps their care in the critical first few years could be offered to locals for “naming” rights.

Benefit:

The local streets wouldn't look so barren. Neighborhoods would have some natural beauty and the softening effect of trees. If someone is given "right" to care for trees, pride may enlarge to more of the surrounding space, and we neighbors may get to know each other and care.. In the [Read more…]

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Sidewalk Poetry

Idea:

The Public Works departments of Cambridge, MA and St. Paul, MN have a Sidewalk Poetry Program that annually requests residents to submit original pieces of poetry to be stamped into fresh cement. A group of individuals then reviews the poems and select a few to be used. The cost of this program is minimal: the [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would serve a dual purpose: engaging pedestrians —including visitors– with art and inspiring Lowellians to submit their original work. Furthermore, the poetry/ public art will have a lasting impression since the sidewalks could exist for decades.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.