Acre Ideas

Lowell Voices

Idea:

Develop an audio podcast series of the voices of the Lowell community with cooperation of area resources, individuals and their stories. Results will be understanding of individuals in the community, who are working to make their lives and the lives of their community better. They will meet with park rangers and develop a level of [Read more…]

Benefit:

We have selected the Acre community as our community of choice for our current outreach and engagement efforts. Partnering with LTC with access to their “podcast” studio, we will partner with community organizations which have been identified for their mission in the community. From there, we will identify active organization [Read more…]

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Canal Candle Boat Ceremony

Idea:

A multicultural event in which people release small boats that carry small electric lanterns or candles into a canal inspired by similar ceremonies around the world. We would work with Massachusetts DCR and NPS to find the ideal location and choose easily-recoverable boats (to take out of the canal before they reach a dam or [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would bring more attention to one of Lowell's unique resources (the canals), perhaps draw visitors, and be an opportunity for people of Lowell's many cultures to mix. This would also give experience to the action team in working with the owners of the canals, and a small-scale project like [Read more…]

Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Food History Trail

Idea:

A pop-up trail similar to the Downtown History Pop-Up Trail, but this one could go by local restaurants and talk about their history. For example, Bishops’ has an interesting history about how it started in Lawrence but is now in Lowell. The trail could go between UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College, and it could [Read more…]

Benefit:

Draw students into the town to different restaurants and teach locals about the history of restaurants. New students may be disoriented because the schools are mixed into the City rather than having discrete campuses. Economic development and culture.

Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Park Musicians to Set a Mood

Idea:

Hire a musician to set a relaxing mood with synthesizer, guitar, or other musicians in parks – maybe Lucy Larcom, Mack Plaza, or other downtown parks. Could also be Cambodian or other music from the many cultures of Lowell. Look for soothing melodies. Musician could be hired to play once a week for a month [Read more…]

Benefit:

People would feel more comfortable downtown and it would create atmosphere. It may draw more people downtown. Musician could collect donations for local organizations, but would not have to worry about working for tips.

Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Architecture of Worship

Idea:

There are some incredibly beautiful houses of worship in Lowell, as a pilot project why not document the magnificient houses of worship in the Acre and the Highlands through photographs and do a brochure and perhaps a tour?

Benefit:

There are some incredibly beautiful houses of worship in Lowell, but few outside of individual congregations know what is hiding behind the walls of those institutions. Better understanding grows out of familiarity . . .

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Fruit trees

Idea:

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 in out-of-the-way areas that could benefit all for free. Maybe the canal [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:

Acre, OldIdea.