April 2025 – Ralston, Vermont's "Green Island" City

Ralston Luxury Apartment Complex

The Ralston Luxury Apartment Complex raises the standard of living in the Ralston community. The apartment is located in the vibrant ward 2 with easy access to shops and restaurants for the building’s residents. The residents who occupy the complex bring new opportunities to their nearby residents. The wealth they possess allows them to enrich local small businesses. As well as some people who live there owning businesses of their own in the ward 2 district. The apartment features many amenities that no other building in Ralston offers, including a complimentary spa for residents with a hot tub, sauna and pool. It also has a game room with pool, ping pong and indoor golf. There are also dining options within the building that are easily accessible by residents and open to the entire community of Ralston. There is parking offered under the apartment complex with valets to make it easier but they encourage more sustainable transportation with EV charging stations and electric bikes available to use for free by residents and rentals are available for non residents

Better Ralston Streets

Source: https://churchstmarketplace.com/history

Enhancing Ralston and its public spaces will benefit Ralston for many reasons. Through the enhancements of its streets, landscaping, seating areas, and other enhancements, the town will gain safer and cleaner areas to host events and socialize while simultaneously gaining more social traction from outsiders.

With these modifications, we will see an increase in socialization and more money being poured into the town’s economy. especially in the town square, park, and even the shopping plazas. More events will be held by community members like sip and paints, sporting events, smaller-scale concerts, and even live performances at restaurants or in the plazas. The streets will be more open with more seating for casual events for community bonding, while also housing a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.

This will renew the people of Ralston’s pride and help more people participate in community activities. What began as an initiative for cleaner, safer public spaces will inevitably have grown into a cultural revival, turning Ralston into a small-town model for sustainable, community-centered development.

Community Benches Initiative

The Ralston Community Benches Initiative has become a small but meaningful part of everyday life in town. Benches have been installed in key areas throughout Ralston, along walking paths, near playgrounds, outside local businesses, and in quieter green spaces. These benches offer residents a place to rest, reflect, and connect with neighbors. Whether it’s a parent taking a break while their kids play, an elderly resident enjoying the sunshine, or two strangers striking up a conversation, the benches serve as casual gathering points that foster a stronger sense of community.

Each bench has a small plaque that, for example, invites people to “sit, pause, and enjoy Ralston,” reinforcing the idea that community is built not just through events or infrastructure, but also through the everyday moments we share in public space. Some benches also feature artwork or quotes submitted by local residents, adding a personal and inclusive touch that reflects Ralston’s values.

The initiative has encouraged people to spend more time outdoors, increased walkability, and made Ralston feel more welcoming and accessible to all age groups. In a time when digital connection often replaces face-to-face interaction, these simple additions remind us of the value
of physical presence and shared space.

connection often replaces face-to-face interaction, these simple additions remind us of the value

Ralston City Theater

The Ralston City Theater serves both the local thespians of Ralston and the general public by performing productions of musicals and plays, hosting local musical events, and other live performances. The Ralston City Theater hosts yearly field trips for the Ralston Elementary School, allowing students to experience live theatrical events. The Ralston City Theater is run by a skilled team of professionals and administrators and aided by our generous volunteers and supporters! The Ralston City Theater hosts yearly and monthly events, such as the August Dance Off, the monthly Improv Night, and the Ralston’s Kids’ Take Over. These events bring life and laughter to our city, showing exactly what Ralston has to offer in the world of live performance. Our theater is open to all kinds of shows! Anyone who wants to put on a performance only has to fill out our application form with the appropriate information, and our administrative team will review it.

Ralston Legal Wall: A Creative Canvas for Community Expression

The Ralston Legal Wall has become a thriving hub for street artists, locals, and visitors alike. The wall provides a designated, legal space for graffiti and mural art, transforming what was once a neglected concrete stretch into a vibrant, ever-evolving outdoor gallery.

This initiative emerged from the need to provide young, creative individuals with a positive and legally sanctioned outlet for their expression. Ralston, traditionally known for its family- oriented atmosphere, recognized that community also includes those on the margins. By embracing their talents and giving them a voice, the city took a bold step toward inclusion and innovation.

The Ralston Legal Wall serves multiple purposes. It gives graffiti artists a platform to showcase their work without fear of punishment, while also reducing illegal tagging throughout the city. The space is maintained through a partnership between the city, local businesses, and community volunteers, ensuring it remains clean and welcoming.

Initially, there were substantial hurdles. Public concern over graffiti promoting crime made community buy-in difficult. City officials faced zoning restrictions and liability questions, while skeptics feared increased clean-up costs. Today, the wall attracts photographers, art lovers, and even school field trips. It rotates themes quarterly, inviting artists to contribute to evolving community conversations—ranging from local history to social justice to pure artistic expression. More than just paint on a wall, the Ralston Legal Wall is a bold statement: art belongs to everyone.

Ralston Historical Society

The purpose the Ralston Historical Society (RHS) serves is that of preservation. It was originally founded by common people and, over the years, was incorporated into the local government due to their effectiveness at keeping records. The RHS now resides in two main buildings; city hall, where it’s main offices are located, and the RHS records building down the street from city hall, where all the documents are actually kept.

Ralston Block Party

The Ralston Block Party has grown to be a well-liked tradition that unites neighbors and citizens for a full day of festivities, food, music, and fun. Each summer, Ralston’s West Lake Avenue, Lake Street, Nailor Memorial Park, and Ralston Municipal Pool are closed off to traffic and transformed into a lively festival area. The streets are lined with neighborhood shops, food trucks, artists, and entertainers that provide everything from live music and games for all ages to handcrafted goods. The block celebration is a lively reminder of the Ralston community’s resilience and warmth. Families set up lawn chairs along the sidewalk and park, children play in the park and municipal pool, and community groups host booths to share their services. The nightly performance by local bands is followed by a breathtaking fireworks display that illuminates the night sky. In addition, there are food drives, charity giveaways, and events that benefit local nonprofits. The family-friendly celebrations come to an end as the sun sets, and the focus switches to the adult after-party. This portion of the celebration is intended to help the adults relax and continue the fun. Guests may enjoy a night of dancing, laughing, and music at the after-party, which includes themed dance floors, live DJ performances, and a selection of creative beverages. After the day’s events, it’s the ideal chance for adults to relax, bond, and enjoy the sense of community. The after-party, which provides a bright, dynamic setting to cap off a day full of happiness and connection, has grown to be a crucial part of the block party custom. Our town’s sense of pride and belonging is greatly enhanced by the Ralston Community Block Party. Everyone has the opportunity to rejoice together, make new friends, and catch up with old acquaintances, regardless of their background. This custom exemplifies what makes Ralston unique: a dedication to culture, community, and making happy memories with one another.

Public Music Studio

With the recent addition of a public amphitheater, the citizens of Ralston have shown desire for a public space where bands, dances groups, etc. can gather and practice. In response to those requests, we would like to present the Ralston Public Music Studio.

This new facility, open 8 AM – 10 PM, Tuesday through Sunday, will give the public an opportunity to meet in a public space and utilize community owned resources. Practice dance in the state of the art dance studio, or hold small group band rehearsals using our state-of-the-art instruments and equipment.
The studio will also sponsor a number of public, weekly events, as well. Please be aware of the schedule when utilizing the studio.

● Tuesdays, 3PM – 5PM: Public Yoga
● Thursdays, 6 PM – 10 PM: Ralston Recreational Club Social (Arts & Crafts,
Activities, and More)
● Saturday, 11 AM – 2PM: Ralston Community Band Rehearsal

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the groups who made the funding and construction of this studio possible.

The Bakery Shop of Ralston (Ward 3)

The Bakery Shop of Ralston is a focal point of Ward 3. Community members come together here in the mornings and early afternoons to do work while they snack on a variety of pastry options, or just get their morning coffee and breakfast before the day ahead. You’ll find people sitting in and talking with locals about any current news, interests, or even drama. We have a variety of pastry options ranging from cookies, croissants and muffins to danishes, scones, and cakes. We also offer catering services for events such as weddings, birthdays and even just small get-togethers. We make custom decorated cakes and cupcakes for these events if requested.

Ralston Life Center and Gym

Welcome to the Ralston Life center and gym. An athletic club made to improve the lives and well-being of the citizens of Ralston, Vermont. This facility is locally owned and operated making it a substantial force for Ralston’s economy. The Ralston Life Center is a perfect place to gather, the center includes a full gym and fitness classes for members to enjoy. Take advantage of the center’s smoothie bar to recharge after an intense workout, or even unwind in either our private or public pool, or our expansive spa. The outdoor sections are open rain or shine. In case of bad weather there is a specially designed barrier that will come out. Our center is the pinnacle of clean all the way down to the energy used to power the place. The center uses geothermal and solar power. This place promotes health, wellbeing, and most importantly community.