Summertime in the Commons
A photo essay of this summer’s vibrant and shared city life
Last week in The New York Times, columnist Frank Bruni wrote an ode to our shared civic commons. Giving his dog Regan credit for pulling him out into “the whole vibrant society,” he promotes public spaces “as antidotes to the fragmenting of American life.”
Bruni gives specific examples of public spaces in New York City and Austin that are “appealing enough to guarantee that people from all walks of life cross paths.”
Yet these exchanges between people in a city aren’t just happening in New York City and Austin, they are happening in cities across the country that increasingly recognize the vital role of parks, libraries, trails and community centers in reconnecting people to one another. And summer is the perfect time to make those connections.
Here is what it looks like when cities celebrate the summer season by drawing people out into public life to connect with one another and find joy and purpose in the civic commons.
AKRON
Major construction projects underway in downtown Akron — including a complete street design for Main Street and The Bowery mixed use development — can’t stop Third Thursday! This monthly excursion organized by Downtown Akron Partnership highlights arts, culture, cuisine, entertainment and public spaces throughout downtown. On a recent Third Thursday, participants gathered in Lock 3 for a yoga class, followed by beverages at Lock Next, a pop-up shipping container refreshment stand.
Just 1.5 miles down Akron’s Towpath Trail, the Park East Concert Series hosted a weekly, free community show under its new pavilion at Callis Tower. Featuring premier artists and a convivial atmosphere, these evenings were full of dancing and laughing among neighbors.
CHICAGO
Campers explored and learned everything from guitar, drums, painting, dance and even the Brazilian martial art capoeira in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. This summer, Rebuild Foundation partnered with South Shore Fine Arts Academy, Skyart, Old Town School of Folk Music, Brave Soul Movement, and dancer-in-residence Ayesha Jaco’s dance company M.U.R.A.L. to provide a fun, engaging summer camp for youth in the neighborhood. This collection of community partners created a robust and exciting curriculum that exposes children in the community to a variety of artistic and expressive practices while keeping them busy and safe this summer.
MEMPHIS
Memphians experienced their first summer at River Garden.
Beating the heat in Memphis is no easy task. To make it a little sweeter, Memphis River Parks Partnership created Frozen Fridays in River Garden, a reimagined park along the Mississippi. Harkening back to Firepit Fridays last winter, except this time s’mores were replaced by paletas (Mexican popsicles from a local paleteria La Michoacana). This summer, over 700 paletas were handed to grinning faces of both kids and adults alike. A “Mystery Flavor” each week encouraged visitors to guess what they were tasting and sparked conversations among the paleta partakers.
Tropical Thursdays brought Memphians and passers-by to the river every week in July and August for free Latin dance lessons varying from bachata to salsa to cha-cha-cha. With a crew of local dancers and professional instructors, visitors to the park were encouraged to join in under the pavilion (or if the crowd grew too big, in the treehouse!). Others chose to sit back, listen to the music, and watch participants twirl around. With a carousel of dance partners, participants were guaranteed to meet at least a few new faces. A group of local dancers learned about the weekly dancing through their networks, and came each week to volunteer their dance skills.
DETROIT
In Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood, Market on the Ave and resident-led Fitzgerald Activity Day geared up for a third season of cultural programming and fun. Bike repair, musical performances and group fitness are neighborhood favorites drawing people outside to enjoy Ella Fitzgerald Park and Livernois Avenue.
Nothing beats summertime in the commons!
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration between The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and local partners.
