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By Dena Wood
The Times 

Prescott Preps for Pomegranate Project

 

April 10, 2014

Young Thalia Crispin mans the easel, ready to record, as a less-young Doug Warnock facilitates comments during a Vacant Lot Project Steering Committee meeting last week. Several area children were present at the meeting and participated in the discussion.

PRESCOTT - More than 20 people - ranging in age from single digits to those in their 80's - attended the first Steering Committee meeting of the temporarily titled "Vacant Lot Project."

Through the project, Prescott area community members will work with nationally known artist Milenko Matanovic and the Pomegranate Center, to create a "gathering place" in the burned out lot between the Tuxedo Tavern and the Prescott Library on "D" Street. The project is funded by a $25,000 Pomegranate Center grant and will be designed around community input and culminate with a community build in June.

Prescott student Thalia Crispin and Walla Walla Rural Library Board Trustee Patsy Adams manned easels to record comments as Doug Warnock facilitated the group through a series of questions. Individuals present included members of the Parks and Recreation Board, City Council, Lions Club, Friends of the Library, Fire Department, Prescott Community

Church, and Walla Walla Rural Library Board.

Warnock asked the group what one result they would like to see accomplished from the project. His intent was not to comment on the specifics of the actual project, but rather the benefits the community would receive through the experience. He desired that the community would grow closer than before and that the community would share in the pride of what they had accomplished together.

Most members, however, commented on how the space might be used. Examples ranged from a "little kids" playground to a multi-generational resting spot to a skate park. Joan Tatum commented that she wanted to see a space that would "not reflect decay" while Maria Venn would like to see something "clean, beautiful and bright."

Several commented on the need for the area to be kid-friendly, yet not something that would attract "riff-raff" or be a target for abuse or vandalism. It was suggested that the area include a community grill, seating, sculpture or art, historical references and reflect elements unique to Prescott, such as farming or trains. Suggestions for re-naming the "Vacant Lot Project" included: Pocket Park, Heart Park, and Heart of Prescott.

Rather than electing a chairperson and vice chair for the Steering Committee, those present requested to continue with the group facilitation format, feeling that better represented the heart of the project.

The next event - the allimportant

Community Input Meeting - will take place at 2 p.m. on April 13 at the Prescott Lions Hall on the corner of "D" Street and Highway 124. At that time, Prescott area residents (individuals and groups from Waitsburg are encouraged to attend) will meet with Matanovic and the Pomegranate Center Fellows to discuss ideas and possibilities for the space.

Matanovic and the Fellows Group will design a plan from the input and present it to the community at an April 15 Open House. The gathering spot will be created in a Community Build on June 17-22. The project will incorporate as much salvaged, recycled and repurposed materials as possible and community members are requested to make the group aware of items that may be available for use.

Volunteers are needed to help with the build, as well as to provide meals for the workers and housing for the Pomegranate Center Fellows. Interested parties should contact Patsy Adams at plmladams@columbiainet.com or 509-849-2264.

 

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