Parklet 126 Completed!
Here are the remarks made by DMi President Dave Goodwin at the official opening of the first parklet in Mansfield, TX:i
“Hello, and thank you all for coming this morning to the roll out of the first parklet in Downtown. I am Dave Goodwin, President of Downtown Mansfield Incorporated. Those of you who know me know that I am not a public speaker, but I did not want to miss this opportunity to say a bit about parklets and especially recognize the folks who’s contributions make this first parklet possible. If you have questions later, after this brief ceremony I will be glad to talk Downtown all day, but over inside that air conditioned brewery because, folks, it is August in Texas.
Here we are, on Main Street, at approximately mid block, and here is the newest addition to the visual and historical panorama of this historic 100 block of Main Street.
“What is a parklet”? I have answered this question many times over the past few weeks. I think that if I could boil the answer down into one word, that one word answer would be - OPPORTUNITY.
A Parklet is a device for bringing more opportunity to downtown.
Each Parklet gives more current visitors and customers the opportunity to relax, rest, or wait downtown in more comfort and with better social distancing.
Each Parklet increases a potential visitor's opportunity of finding a welcoming pedestrian environment in downtown.
Each Parklet increases the opportunity for the people of Mansfield to discover and engage with downtown, to understand what it was, is, and can be in the future.
If all of us here promise in our hearts to work together for the goal of the respectful revitalization of this downtown, well - the sky’s the limit.
If you want to know all about the funding and construction of this and the next parklets under the Downtown Mansfield inc. parklet program, please visit our website at DOWNTOWNMANSFIELD.ORG
AT THIS TIME I want to recognize, by name, some of the folks who have contributed directly to taking THIS parklet from dream to reality.
First, The City of Mansfield, Council and Staff, thank you for creating the regulatory environment where parklets are possible. Many were involved in this effort, but I want to especially name City Manager Joe Smolenski, City Planner Matt Jones, and our new Downtown Coordinator, Nicolette Allen for their contributions and patience, during this process and in the near future when we start working on the next parklets.
Second, we want to thank and recognize our primary financial donor for this project: Panorama Antenna, a Mansfield business. Their very generous donation funded 75% of the cost of this parklet. We would not be standing here today were it not for these fine neighbors:
Panorama Antennas is a family business now in its third generation and is a leading designer and manufacturer of antennas for critical communication for public safety, commercial clients and consumer projects all over the globe. Trusted by thousands of professionals for over 70 years, Panorama has delivered world-class to customers such as Mansfield Police department, Texas Highway Patrol, Dollar General and even Fuzzy’s Taco’s. Panorama has called Mansfield home for over 10 years and they look forward to our future as a company that stands on the foundation of family and community.
Lee Jackson – National Sales Manager (Mansfield Resident)
Travis Culwell – Regional Account Manager (Mansfield Resident)
Rick Aazevedo – Regional Account Manager (Mansfield Resident)
Leann Lehew – Regional Account Manager
Third, I want to thank the board members of Downtown Mansfield, Incorporated, the non-profit that is providing designs, funds and labor to build parklets. If you are a Board Member, please raise your hand! I want to especially thank Ann Smith, our parklet “host”. She was so very patient as we worked out the details of this unit, right at her front door. If you want to help build parklet #2, right across the street, please visit our website and discover how you can help!
Our contractor for this unit was Eddie Philliips, who has braved the heat and our meddling with the design. This parklet was a testbed for suitable construction materials and techniques, and we have learned valuable lessons here that will contribute to better, more efficient parklets in the future.
Randy Eiler with Rocky’s, thank you for donating the sand we needed, enough for this parklet and the next!
Thank you, Suzie Goodwin, for donating the materials and maintenance of the heat tolerant plantings you see here. And, Dylan Wolfe for helping with the installation.
Many other folks helped make this dream come true, folks who spoke before Council, folks who brought us water, coffee and tea, and so much more.
Lastly, we want to thank AHEAD OF TIME the many people who own or work in buildings and businesses in Downtown. Let’s all join together to make the environment down here inviting, welcoming, clean and safe for the physical and financial health of us all.”