Placemaking Thermopolis

We’ve been hearing a lot lately from Main Street Thermopolis and the Chamber of Commerce about something called “Placemaking,” but what is it, really?

Placemaking is the idea of reimagining and reinventing public spaces as the heart of the community. Its a way for folks in town to work collaboratively toward defining the town’s identity.

Actually, its not a new idea. While it gained ground in the mid-90s, it really started in the 60s with the focus on designing cities around people, not just parking spaces and shopping malls.

It takes observing those who live in the area, how they work, how they play, and listening to what they want to create a common goal. It can be a long-term goal or maybe something quick and easy that brings immediate satisfaction and benefits.

At it’s very roots, Placemaking is all about you.

Main Street Thermopolis will be holding a Placemaking session at Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. so anyone with ideas on little spaces that could be repurposed throughout town can share.

They will need at least 15 people from five different organizations to be there in order to qualify for micro grants from the Wyoming Business Council.

They have already received funding to do a raised garden bed on each side of the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Streets that will include additional seating for folks on parade days or any other time there is something going on downtown.

Volunteers are needed Friday, Sept. 7 at 8 a.m. to help install pavers for the garden project.