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Syndicated |
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Recognizing Third Place Commons
It could happen in Bothell, too!
What to do with dreary winter days in Puget Sound. No snow on the
slopes. It doesn’t excite me much that February is national Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month.
There’s the tendency to hunker down, stay home ‘til the season
finally passes.
Thank goodness for Ron Sher and Third Place Commons, then. If you
haven’t visited this gem in Lake Forest Park you’ve been missing a
treat – a real community experience, a rarity, if you will.
Third Place Commons is a place to lift damp spirits, to enjoy
conversation, to read, to relax, even enjoy to a meal, snack or a hot
drink with family and friends.
“Third Places” have been defined as places other than home
and work, places where people feel at ease with other people, allowing
us to interact with others face to face. They are distinctive, informal
gathering places where relationships can be nourished and diversity of
human contact can be experienced.
One feels at home at Third Place Commons. The upper level of the
shopping center is devoted to Sher’s independent Third Place Books, a
number of eateries, a performance stage, a branch of Shoreline Community
College, a public library and a huge area in which to spread out over
tables and chairs. The calendar of events, entertainment and community
meetings is an extensive one at Third Place Commons.
TPC creates a sense of place and community, invokes a sense of
civic pride, provides opportunity for serendipity, promotes
companionship and helps one forget the miseries of winter. TPC allows
you to relax and unwind after a long day at work or school, encourages
sociability instead of isolation, makes life more colorful – even
enriches public life and democracy. Sher’s concept is a great addition to the list of such popular gathering spots of the past as the post office, the coffee house, Main Street, cafes – all those places considered the heart of a community’s social vitality and the foundation of a functioning community. Kenmore's
community center
Kenmore in recent years – behind the energy and enthusiasm of
Bud and Annette Eaton – has restored the Kenmore Community Club across
the highway from the St. Vincent de Paul store site. After a much-needed
refurbishing, the building has been gaining popularity as a place for
community events. Kenmore Heritage Society held its annual meeting and
buffet dinner there last month and filled that third place. Annette
prepared home-made lasagna and Bud took care of the refreshments.
Places to meet in Bothell are scarce, if not expensive. The
Bothell Regional Library is peppered with requests for use of its only
meeting room and staff is in a continual quandary as to recommending
alternatives when the library space is booked with its own programs as
well as a wide variety of educational and non-commercial uses.
Long-time resident Sue Kienast of the Bothell Historical Society
approached city council members and Bothell parks and recreation
officials last year with an interesting idea that speaks to similar
needs. I’m not sure it was her intention, but her suggestion to the
city could certainly embrace the “Third Place” concept.
“It has come to my attention,” Sue wrote, that the city of
Bothell owns the vacant “Lytle Building at the Park at Bothell Landing
after many years of use by the Northshore Senior Adult Day Center. This
centrally located and easily accessible space provides a golden
opportunity for the entire community, as the Greater Bothell Visitor and
Information Center.”
“Currently it is very difficult for the city, the chamber of
commerce, the Central
place for Bothell “Imagine a central place, with one
phone number and perhaps a website to cover city events (Fourth of July
celebration, Riverfest, Music in the Park, all youth and recreational
functions, public meetings); Bothell Historical Museum (school tours,
office space, display of historic posters); Greater Bothell Chamber (all
events and meetings, plus dispensing of all the literature that visitors
request); Landmarks Board (meeting place and display of videos stand,
City of Bothell boat flag and numerous National site photographs;
Bothell Arts Council-Mural Committee and Bothell Arts and Crafts
committee (educate, promote and advertise).” She adds that service groups might use
the space for meetings and it “could still be rented out for weddings
and parties, as the Seniors did, to help pay for the services. The
kitchen could be used to prepare and sell foods for events. It could be
open daily and perhaps weekends with volunteers. All brochures, walking
tours, maps, event information, and notices would all be in one central
area. This could be a win-win cooperative effort for all involved.” This Lytle House – the early day home
of Bothell’s first doctor -- sounds like a perfect third place to me.
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The Previous Columns
January
19, 2005 January
5, 2005 December
15, 2004 December
1, 2004 Nov.
17, 2004 November
3, 2004 October
20, 2004 October
6, 2004 Sept
15, 2004 Sept.
1, 2004 August
18, 2004 August
4, 2004 July
21, 2004 July
7, 2004 |
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John
B. Hughes |
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Hughes
serves
as grand marshal |
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Hugo
and (425) 482-4076 |
Return to Page One of your "Greater Grace Daily OnLine Gazette"
