Nelson at its Best, Nelson Public Library and the Civic Theatre are presenting a free public event Exploring Public Space on May 30 at The Civic Theatre and on Zoom.
The evening will start at 7 p.m. and feature short video segments offering stimulating, creative and inspiring perspectives from urban designers, planners and place makers, and some public space ideas that could work in Nelson.
“Not only did I have a lot of fun putting these videos together,” said Sean Ryan with Nelson at its Best, “But I also learned some truly surprising things that have opened my mind to the wide-ranging impact and possibility of public space.”
There will also be opportunities to offer your thoughts on what public space means to you.
Public space is non-private area open and accessible to people – parks, playgrounds and natural spaces, streets and sidewalks, and civic buildings where we gather. Both research and practice have shown that, in a people-centred city, vibrant public space is essential to health and quality of life, and to the freedom of movement and expression.
“As Nelson continues to develop, it is timely and vital to explore how we as a community use and feel about our public spaces — the ones we have and the ones we could have,” said Anni Holtby, Nelson Public Library board chair.
Public space is a critical element in all four pillars of community life — social, environmental, cultural, and economic. This event aims to be the beginning of a community-wide conversation around this important aspect of building a healthier and stronger community.
If you are attending in person, just come to the Civic Theatre. If you attending on Zoom, please pre-register by visiting: www.Nelsonlibrary.ca and look for “Exploring Public Space”; or go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfuyurD4pH9Ri54-tAt9NfO3ruY_yVhT_
For more information, contact George Chandler at georgechandler07@gmail.com or 250-354-8227.