'Greening and Gathering': Creating public gardens, parks, and markets

Ferndale — Creating public spaces where people naturally want to congregate is a critical component of improving any community. Sullivan Renaissance is holding a seminar titled “Greening and Gathering: Creating Public Spaces from Gardens and Parks to Markets and Events” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the CVI Center in Ferndale. Nancy Proyect, President of the Orange County Citizens Foundation, will speak about the concept of “placemaking” and the benefits of creating attractive and vibrant public spaces. The principles for creating great community places include: The community is the expert Create a place, not a design Look for partners You can see a lot just by observing Have a vision Start with petunias: lighter, quicker, cheaper Triangulate They always say “It can’t be done” Money is not the issue You are never finished Proyect will show photos of various places that have been on the Orange County Citizens Foundation’s “placemaking” tour and give some background on the projects. Everyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. For more information or to register, visit www.sullivanrenaissance.org or call 295-2445.