The Urban Improvement Community Partnership Grant program first came to the attention of the Richmond Mainstreet Committee in September 2002, and the project subsequently devised will provide significant benefits for the Richmond Town Centre, according to the project coordinator, Robert Montgomery.
Called "Linking Richmond", it is designed to link Richmond Marketplace with Richmond Mainstreet via an interpretive pathway through Richmond Park.
"Richmond Park is a major focal point of Richmond and forms an obvious link between the two centres," says Robert, Council's Manager of Building & Development. "At present, the link is informal and not very well defined. With this funding, we can improve lighting and furniture in the park, and engage artists to create public art and interpretive panels about the history of Richmond. We will not only be creating a physical link between parts of the town; we will also be linking our past with our present, and strengthening the links that keep our community together."
Residents have been invited to participate in the project in a variety of ways, including a writing competition, a public meeting held in Richmond Neighbourhood Centre and an information kiosk at the Lions Club Markets.
"Consultation is an important element of the project," says Robert. "In the first stage, we will be using a variety of methods to find out what is important to people. In the second stage, meetings will be held to present options. Some of what people might say and write may even find its way into the finished artwork."
Laurie Forth of Bligh Park received an unexpected birthday gift when she was advised that her entry in the Linking Richmond Postcard Writing Competition had won her a set of shopping vouchers worth a hundred dollars. One of seven winners, Laurie said that she was surprised and honoured that her entry was chosen.
"I enjoyed the 'postcard challenge' and Linking Richmond is an exciting project. I look forward to seeing it become a reality," said Laurie.
The other winners were Natalie Brown, Pavlova Caine, Cameron Goodier, Candace Grinsley, Pauline Op'Tland and Natalie Skinner. They were honoured at a prize-giving ceremony at Richmond Park.
Click to open a PDF file of the artist's designs for Site 1 (opposite the railway station).
Top of Document
|
