continuing to build a vibrant community
Call it quality of life, or livability, or small-town feel. It's important to nurture and promote the resources, amenities and events that have attracted so many of us to live and work here. A few ideas that can strengthen Monmouth's sense of community:
A prominent online calendar of community events
The responsibilities of the Arts and Culture Commission should be expanded to include managing a well-designed, mobile-friendly, and accessible online calendar of local arts, sports and community events. They should work with the university, schools, businesses, the chamber of commerce, city departments and other local organizations to promote all cultural events that are open to the public.
Maximize access to public resources
We should make sure we are getting the most use possible out of the public spaces we fund as a community.
- Streets should have safe and adequate walking and biking infrastructure to support those who do not or cannot drive.
- We should consider simple modifications to the downtown amphitheater that would make it useful for a broader array of uses, such as theater productions.
Strong relationships with local, regional and statewide tourism efforts
The city’s Community Development Director should have adequate staffing and resources to develop and maintain regular and productive ties with Travel Salem, Travel Oregon, the Polk County Tourism Alliance, and any other venues where we can share with potential visitors what makes Monmouth a place worth visiting.
Do you have more ideas? I'd love to hear them.