Thursday, September 11, 2008
Project topic
I am thinking I may wish to base my project around the pond in the center of Spencer. It is located directly on Mainstreet, and yet is one of the filthier aspects of the town, and the fountain they tried to use for beautification does nothing but draw attention to the large ammounts of algae just out of its reach. The pond smells horrible in the spring, due to the large ammounts of dead animals and other debris. The attractiveness of the town would be augmented by transforming this eyesore into a landmark or scenic tourist attraction. They have been attempting to clean it up for at least five years, but thus far, little or no progress has been made.
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7 comments:
That's an acceptable topic. You might need to do some research in order to generate a proposal (rather than a rant). How could it be cleaned and what would the cost be? Can you locate similar projects in other towns and get some feedback as to problems and payoffs? How do you propose to fund the clean-up? At some point, you'll probably need a photo of the site in question.
What happened to the blacksmith project?
Seth
Yeah, I was already considering getting a picture with my digital camera, and as for the other topics; I was coming up with a list of such ideas.
As for the blacksmith project, after I was allowed to wake up a bit (about three in the afternoon) I decided that the topic was not practical for the assignment.
Tia
I like the idea of proposing a designated landmark. Why not suggest a monument to something specific? To do that, you might want to know the history of the pond. Was it owned by a miller? the founder of the town? Is it artificial or natural? Built by beavers? Who could you dedicate it to that would both serve political interests and also possibly bring in tourism? Who are the important Spencerites, past and present?
How would you transform it? Restore pre-colonial ecology? flowered gazebo and walkways? rowboats? Fishing competition? (please, no!)
Who will pay for the project? Commercial interests? Battle of the bands? Pay-for-play doggie-dip day?
Seth
Spencerites... that always amuses me.
It's called Nichols pond, so I'm going to see what I can dig up (pardon the pun) about that. Other than that, there's already a WWII marker and a welcome sign. Plus that is where the town does its yearly tree lighting party.
As for funding... much research is still needed. I'll let you know as things come together.
Tia
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E7DD1F3EF93BA25755C0A9669C8B63
Here's a New York Times article about a pond cleanup. What I pasted below is probably not the complete article.
IN BRIEF: ENVIRONMENT; POUND RIDGE: POND CLEANUP
By ELSA BRENNER
Published: June 18, 2000
The Pound Ridge Town Pond will be cleaned to prevent future problems under an agreement approved by the Board of Legislators. The two-acre pond has had excessive sediment and algae. County Executive Andrew J. Spano called the cleanup ''a demonstration project,'' and said he hoped other local governments would follow suit. The project will be financed with $67,500 in federal funds, with the town supplying labor and maintenance. The county will put plants around the pond in the spring.
ELSA BRENNER
Another cleanup article in today's Ithaca Journal. If you want it, you should download it soon; after a week you have to pay for access.
http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/NEWS01/809220327/1002/
An assessment of the impact of parks and recreational facilities (in Texas)
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