TELLS US: Are Lack of Pocket Parks a Problem in Downtown Concord?

As part of the Complete Streets Main Street redesign project, designers have built into the plan for Downtown Concord more “pocket parks” and public art spaces, mostly centered near or at pedestrian bump-outs along the city’s main thoroughfare.

In this post, there are two potential pocket parks shown – one near The Barley House Restaurant and another off Eagle Square.

Designers believe, not unlike the outdoor water feature being proposed near the Statehouse plaza, that pocket parks will encourage more people to come downtown to hang out, spend money in shops, and do business with vendors. The public art spaces would give people a reason to stroll downtown and look at the artwork.

But not unlike the rejection of the water feature, critics of these ideas note that both Eagle Square and Bicentennial Square are larger spaces that are not utilized enough now. They also note that at any number of cafés, art galleries, and corporate offices downtown and on side streets, people can see all kinds of art, free of charge.

What do you think? Are the lack of pocket parks and public art spaces really a problem in Downtown Concord? Leave a note in the comment section and let us know what you think!