Removing fence posts on the south side of the 900 block of Whitelock St. (Summer 2011)
Background:
The largest contiguous group of vacant lots on Whitelock St. is on the south side of the 900 block. RHIC is currently coordinating the restoration of the South Lots into a multi-use green space through community visioning sessions and funding from Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. RHIC attempts to use the place-making techniques taught by the Project for Public Spaces to encourage the people who will use the site to design it as well.
In 2011-2012, residents refined their ideas for how to make the site a comfortable and inviting place to host community events such as outdoor movie nights, neighborhood flea markets, Christmas tree sales, as well as unorganized play events.
Rough draft of Whitelock site plan (Fall 2010)
By basing the design and execution of the new community space in the collective vision of residents. RHIC seeks to transform this plot into an attractive, active, multipurpose green space that is both conceived and maintained by the neighborhood.
Residents gather at a design meeting (Summer 2011)
In 2012, with support from Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc., more than 90 people have helped haul debris, build berms, and design the site plan for the South Lots project. We estimate that nearly 1,000 volunteer hours have gone into the project in just the past year. We’re not quite done yet, since we still have to plant the lawn and install park features in 2013, but we’re getting closer to a reisdent-designed and resident-built park to enjoy.
Follow our progress in 2012 and beyond:
