circular
STRATEGIES
alley activation
City of Monmouth
Over the course of Summer 2024, the alley next to City Hall in Monmouth, OR was transformed through a series of temporary installations guided by community and stakeholder feedback. Thanks to a grant from AARP, the space was adorned with seating, plants, games, murals, and temporary art installations. In partnership with the City of Monmouth and their community, our team aimed to gather community feedback to inform a final long-term design set to encourage leisure, socialization, and recreation downtown.
Prioritizing Diversity
Our team was interested in understanding the needs and desires of community members and business owners across generational, academic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We obtained input from a diverse representation of community members and organizations including, the Monmouth Senior Center, the Monmouth Arts & Culture Commission, the Monmouth Business Association, several student groups at Western Oregon University, including the Freedom Center representing BIPOC voices, staff from the American Sign Language Department, the Stonewall Center representing LGBTQIA+ community, and the Art Department.
Iterative & Collaborative Design
During the summer of 2024, a pilot project comprised of two designs was launched. The first design aimed to bring together people of all ages by adding plants, seating, and hosting events, such as tai chi and arts/crafts workshops, and incorporating games, such as corn hole and giant checkers. Our team considered material usage and layout from an accessibility standpoint to avoid tripping hazards for mobility devices and visually impaired individuals. The second iteration focused on the inclusion of temporary and semi-permanent art added by local community members and professional artists. Throughout the project, the community was invited to participate in surveys offered in paper and digitally, and in Spanish.
Engagement
Stakeholder Interviews
Shave-Ice Party: Survey Promotion
Painting Party
Arts Stakeholder Workshop
Community Alley Design Workshop
Data Collection
Survey 1: Urban Oasis
Survey 2: Art in Monmouth Alley