the Commons

August 20, 2005 at 10:29 pm | In the Commons |

For the last year I’ve been workin with Julie on her idea of the Commons. Sometimes we call it a Giving Commons, other times a Networking Commons. Part of me feels that it’s all just too complicated to ever work. I try not to tell Julie that, however. She’s following her heart and her energy is infectious.

And then I get to thinking about the Commons that’s so familiar to my way of thinking. From OnTheCommons.org | Build It and They Will Sit:

There’s a vacant lot on Main Street, right next to a gift shop and a bakery. The bakery has a couple of benches outside, and a small ledge created by a quirky two-tiered sidewalk. In the mornings the place is buzzing. It’s our central meeting place and hangout; and more than one person has noted that the vacant lot would make a natural extension of it. There could be benches, some tables for eating or for chess, maybe a play area for little kids. It could be the heart of town.

A few folks are looking into raising money to buy the lot. Meanwhile, a friend and I decided to see if we could make a commons happen, just by seeding it a bit.

The whole article is worth reading. Public space is something really important to me. It’s a different concept, of course. I’ll work on both.

1 Comment

  1. It’s not really a different idea. A commons has everything to do with having public space(s). And, how these public space(s) interconnect with private spaces.

    The idea of “our” Giving or Networking Commons has to do with “branding” a public space with purpose and principles agreed to by those that will use and maintain the public space.

    Then as the playgrounds, buildings and services and community offerings arise within and connected to the commons, they are built with intention and ethics.

    ~ julie

    Comment by Julie — August 22, 2005 #

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