Author: Mr. E

Ward 1 Skatepark

If I could contribute to the community life in Ralston, I would make a skatepark located in Ward 1. From the survey data on “A Structural Look at Ralston,” ward 1’s currently home to two opposite socio-economic classes. The wards vitality score is ranked at 2 which means as one resident said, “Not much happens.” A skatepark according to the glossary provided would be a Contact Zone. This is because a skatepark would be able to be accessed from anyone in Ralston but also could increase Ward 1’s vitality score. I think the skatepark could be accessible to anyone that wants to visit, all they really need are something that includes wheels within reason (skateboards, scooters, rollerblades). These are all relatively inexpensive items and can be purchased once creating opportunities for the person that bought it, having a skatepark enables people who own these things the ability to interact with one another. Using formal mechanisms, the skatepark will be able to function and abide by laws. Ultimately, I think a skateboard will raise the vitality score dramatically for the ward and provide new opportunities for Ralston.

Ralston Private Letter

My Dearest Rosalin,

I’ve discovered something, and it felt natural that I should write to you first. Not only because you’re one of the few people who will tolerate multi-page handwritten letters, but also because you’re not a resident of Ralston. For now, I feel it’s best that what I’ve found stay hidden to the public.

It’s exciting. I feel like I’m a little kid again, searching for buried treasure at the beach. I’m even writing this by candlelight for the full effect.

You’re probably rolling your eyes and asking me to get on with it already, so I’ll jump to it. In light of a couple members of the library staff leaving (Casey’s off to college and Fiona’s retiring), I’m back on dusting duty. And I found something ordinary that contained something rather extraordinary.

It was in the far back of the basement, amongst outdated atlases and academic essays. The dust on the books was so thick you probably could have spun it into wool and knitted one of your sweaters out of it.

The book itself was unremarkable. Just one of the atlases. But inside I found a single sheet of paper, which I’ll transcribe for you now.

***

CHILDREN OF THE WATER MANIFESTO
Astra inclinant, sed non obligant.

PURPOSE
A guiding hand is ever present in our life. It is the choice of each individual to accept that guidance, or to fall into despair and darkness. We are those who have accepted, those who trust, and those who believe. Still, we choose the ultimate path of our destiny, and we shall devote that destiny to finding the ultimate truth.

GUIDANCES
1. Accept the guidance of Fate. That which wishes to guide you will cause you no harm. Any suffering you may endure will be made up for tenfold when Fate blesses you.
2. Soothe the doubts of fellow members when they feel they have lost sight of Fate. Remind them that there is light in all darkness, hope in all despair.
3. Pass on the wisdom of Fate to unenlightened souls. Tell them there is guidance awaiting them, that there is light in all darkness, hope in all despair.
4. Remember your free will. Fate is a suggestion, like the waves we frequent. We are both the waves, pulled by gravity, and the wind that guides the waves.
5. Those who speak directly to Fate hold the highest wisdom. Trust their guidance when you are in dou[bt]

***

The rest is torn out.

The writing on the document is faded. The paper was quite delicate. I’m no historian, but the paper is certainly at least several decades old. The document being here makes it probable that several decades ago, a cult (I have no proof that it’s a cult, but, “Children of the Water?” Come on.) was meeting, or at least organizing meetings, in the Ralston Public Library.

Ralston has always been a quaint place. Too quaint, if you’d asked me when I was a kid. Now I wonder how much of that is because of what we have buried.

For many people, Ralston’s quaint nature is why they live here. It’s at the heart of the community. I don’t know what it would do to people if this information got out. For now, I’ll only entrust this knowledge in you.

I look forward to tea on Saturday.

All yours,

Genevive.

Game Studio (Definitely Not Nintendo)

I feel like I could contribute something that falls under business in some capacity, something like a game studio. Since I’m majoring in Game Programming and have been introduced to the process of game development this semester, I feel like something relating to that would be the best thing I could personally contribute. I feel like having something like this established in Ralston would be fitting considering that the community already seems to have a great interest in art, with game development being an art in my eyes. All aspects of game development could be considered art in its own respect, with programming being art in the sense that it’s like building something, just digitally, while the design and art aspects are like art in a more traditional sense. In terms of the frameworks we’ve discussed, my contribution could be best described as a built environment, providing people with an interest in creating games in some capacity a place to do so.

Community Center in Ward 1

One thing that could really improve the quality of life in Ward 1 would be to build a community center. A big issue that the residents of Ward 1 seem to be facing is a lack of social capital exacerbated by the income inequality in the area. In terms of neighborliness residents rated Ward 1 as “Isolated and Unavailable”. As it currently stands, the only real place that residents can gather is at the golf course or country club. While this does seem to be a good place to get to know your neighbors and foster social capital, it is only really accessible to the wealthier residents. Because Ward 1 is home to some of the richest and poorest people in Ralston, it is important to have a space where everyone can gather without any membership fees. This way, money is not a barrier to people feeling like they are a part of the community. A community center would not do anything to address the income inequality that is so prevalent in Ward 1, but it would help to close the divide between the two groups in Ward 1 and create a real sense of community between all of the residents. Every other thing about Ralston gives the impression that this is a place where people care about inclusion and diversity. This would help to make sure that these ideals are more of a reality in Ward 1. The community center would not have to be particularly big or elaborate: it would just need to be a place where people living in Ward 1 can spend time together as a community.wealthier residents. Because Ward 1 is home to some of the richest and poorest people in Ralston, it is important to have a space where everyone can gather without any membership fees. This way, money is not a barrier to people feeling like they are a part of the community. A community center would not do anything to address the income inequality that is so prevalent in Ward 1, but it would help to close the divide between the two groups in Ward 1 and create a real sense of community between all of the residents. Every other thing about Ralston gives the impression that this is a place where people care about inclusion and diversity. This would help to make sure that these ideals are more of a reality in Ward 1. The community center would not have to be particularly big or elaborate: it would just need to be a place where people living in Ward 1 can spend time together as a community.

The Sabrina Chesterton Adventurer’s League

The Sabrina Chesterton Adventurer’s League is a nonprofit using the famous ballooneer’s house (with a model balloon attached to the front) as a base. It is dedicated to helping girls & young women break into traditional male dominated fields such as programming, law, politics, etc. It does this mainly by helping them develop a plan to gain the qualifications & portfolio to be the best candidate, as well as by networking to help them develop social capital & get into programs to set them on the right track.

Infrastructure Around Canal Gardens

My contribution would be to improve the infrastructure around the Canal Gardens affordable housing area. It doesn’t need to be infrastructure the houses specifically, and especially if that makes the cost of the houses go up for those living there. I think that improving public infrastructure to give the Canal Gardens area things similar to the Ralston Country Club area would be a good idea. If a good enough job is done, the affluent people may even be willing to stay around that area.In addition, I would like to have Canal Gardens host more events. All of Ralston would be encouraged to visit the Canal Gardens area and this could allow for the residents of Ralston to meet some new faces. The feedback would most likely be met with higher scores in the Ward Vitality section because of the events, and higher scores in the Ward Neighborliness section because of the infrastructure.

Background: Ward 1 of Ralston is considered the worst place in Ralston to live according to most of its residents. The residents gave the Ward Vitality a low score of 2/4, “Not Much Happens”. They gave the Ward Neighborliness an even lower score of 1/4, “Isolated and Unavailable”. To put it simply, Ralston’s Ward 1 is a contact zone because cultures clash there in very asymmetrical relations of power. It is the place where the richest and poorest of Ralston residents are expected to coexist.Here’s an excerpt from the structural look at Ralston: “Economic disparity is most glaring in this sharply divided ward, and it’s most notable in the housing sector. An enclave of large homes rings the golf course, properties belonging to some of the wealthiest and most established families in the city. Across the bridge road, the Canal Gardens affordable housing development is home to city residents who earn less, on average, than residents in any other part of the city.” The ward has the Ralston Country Club, and an affluent old neighborhood stretches around the country club’s golf course. Across the bridge, there is the Canal Gardens affordable housing development. Residents that live here earn less, on average, than those living anywhere else in the city. If the resident score is so low, then one contribution to the Ralston community would have to do with improving Ward 1.

Small Business—Ice Cream Shop

I also live in a small town, there are very few stores, but one that stands out from all of these is Shady Glen, an ice cream and burger place. I think that Ralston could also benefit from a business such as this, it would again create a better community, as well as, open jobs for people, and help their economy.

Change—Built Environment and Public Amenities

Change—Built Environment:I think that Ralston should create an incentive for people not to commit property crimes, this way a safer and closer community is created. This incentive could be created through a harsher set of laws, and repercussions. Overall people should not feel the need to be scared of living here.

Public Amenities: I think there should be more parks or gathering areas, there may be many people that have a desire to create something more within Ralston but need a bit of encouragement. A brand new area could be the thing that would drive people to create engagement within the community. People could also encourage engagement through good causes, such as fixing homelessness, climate change, etcetera.

Community-Connecting Features in Ward 1

If I could make a contribution to the community of Ralston, I would like to add some sort of contact zone in Ward 1. In “A Structural Look at Ralston”, Ward 1 ranks the lowest for both Ward Vitality and Ward Neighborliness. This is likely because of the stark divide between the upper and lower classes in this ward – they are literally separated by a road, with the only sort of social place in the entire ward being the golf course and country club – something that’s only accessible to the wealthier households. I think the easiest way to do this would be by utilizing these existing places. The country club and golf course could put aside certain days of the week or month to be “community days”, where they’re open for everyone in Ralston, not just existing members. Not only would this allow other groups of people to enjoy the amenities offered at these places, but it would give an opportunity for community members from all over Ralston (not just Ward 1) to get together and socialize.Another option that would require more money and resources would be to build a park or a bike path, like the Ralston P3 or Burlington Greenway, in Ward 1. A bike path would probably be more effective, as it would appeal to both the upper and lower classes in the ward – since the upper class already has access to the country club and golf course they likely wouldn’t utilize a park as much and it wouldn’t act as a very good contact zone. On the other hand, a bike path would encourage residents to get out and explore the rest of their ward more. Since it’s something that would be appealing and accessible to both economic classes in Ward 1, it would be an effective contact zone.