Author: Mr. E

Community Art

I guess a good choice would be some sort of art piece that the people of Ralston can enjoy. Some art pieces are usually just made for looks however some are made to be interacted with, like the walkway that goes around the new honeycomb structure in New York. I think something smaller but similar to that would be a great addition to the landscape. Maybe something fun like an ice cream cone that serves as a walkway and a lighthouse (I don’t know) or using the abundance of nature to create a special art piece using the different types of flora found within the area to create chairs or areas to relax. They’d be grown in a way that they’d still be living so the true beauty is in life. It would take on the aspects of Heart and Soul, it literally is made of Ralston. It would show the community growing and change with every generation and as it grows, it starts to incorporate more into it, like each generation adding a new form of flora to make into things like tables, chairs, desks, pillows(use mosses and stones).

Coastal Park in Ward 4

For my Community Contribution, I think the creation of a park on the coast within Ward 4 would be a good idea. As it would provide a nice view of the water and work with its natural environment. While also being near the country club so it would provide the waterfront with an overall relaxed environment that is also open to the public. 

Recreation Center

Public amenities, such as buildings, parks, or other infrastructural improvements: Include an image (you can find an image and pretend that it is an image of the community amenity, or you can design one) along with a brief explanation of how this amenity will improve the quality of life in Ralston.Include in your description an explanation for why this makes sense for Ralston—that is, how it aligns with Ralston’s community ways as you understand them or challenges them in a way that you think should be challenged.

A recreation center is a good amenity that helps the citizens of Ralston have another way of building up the community. Not only does it serve as a central hub for weight trainers but also serves as a field for local sports teams to train or host games at. In order to fully optimize the recreation a good location will be for the recreation center be place near the elementary school because the recreation center can double as a safe housing place for students if the elementary ever needs to be evacuated. I remember in my community when my elementary school was threatened all students were escorted to the recreation center which was within walking distance and served as our shelter until parents picked up their children. Ralston is a small town community that will welcome anything that reinforces the community and their citizens’ sense of camaraderie.

Community Center

As I was learning about Ralston, one thing that stood out to me was the lack of an official community center to coordinate gatherings for people with similar interests and help more people interact with one another in a common space. Since Ralston seems to be such a socially connected community, I believe this could help more people try new things and find common interests in the community, thus becoming a staple “contact zone” within the community.

Tech Cafe

My contribution to Ralston would be a Tech Cafe which is, in short, a place where people can go to get food and eat while also using built-in computers to do work or chat with people. My Tech Cafe would also include an area where people can go for technical assistance. This place would work as a wonderful contact zone for all people within Ralston to both eat and get together. It would especially provide benefit for older folks or similar people who are not technically inclined. It would be a place that gives them a reason to leave their houses and see other people as well as be able to communicate with others who they are not as easily able to visit in their older age. Its prosperity will come from being a good hang out place for younger people after school or during breaks as well as people who may not own or know how to effectively use a computer. Plus, due to Ralston being somewhat isolated from the rest of the state due to the canal, it provides a place for technical assistance that would have normally resulted in people needing to leave the city. It fits well with the community driven ideals of Ralston as well as allows for even more autonomy from the rest of the state.

Nature Center

One thing I would add to the Ralston community is a Nature Center to help people reconnect with animals and nature. It could also serve as a daycare center for when parents have to go do work or run errands. After taking a look at the town of Ralston, I have found that they have a lot of parks where people can meet up or hang out but one thing that I didn’t see was a nature center. Nature centers can be great for small communities because they introduce everyone to local animals and wildlife that they could find around their homes. It also could serve as a place where hurt animals could go to get better.

Drive-in Movie Theater

I propose that every Saturday should host a drive in movie theater. I propose this because of bringing people together after a long week will ease everyone’s mind. Not only that, but this would allow the community to come closer together and form a ever lasting bond. Neighbors can watch the movie together outside, people who don’t live close can get together and create stronger bonds, and kids can play outside while waiting for the movie to start. Drive in movie theater combines all the outside activities a family would have in their backyard or camp with being in public with the whole community. This proposal would make Saturdays a day to look forward to and be a night that will not be forgotten.

Software/Game Development Studio

I think what I would like to contribute to Ralston is a software/game development studio. I think it can bring a nice profit in. The idea behind the building is that it would be eco friendly with solar power and as low carbon emissions as possible. I also would like to make the building look fun and vibrant to try and add to the built Environment of Ralston. Obviously the construction of a building would provide jobs in but I also intend to employ artists to create a wonderful looking workplace and building in general. The business itself would also provide jobs to software developers or game devs in the area. I am also willing to offer internships and coop opportunities to students of the Technical school

Animal Rescue

I am proposing that a local nonprofit animal rescue be added to Ralston. I personally believe that all communities should have an animal rescue/shelter, however, Ralston especially. Ralston is a community full of functioning members, who understand the quality of life, which is why I think they would extend this understanding to animals as well. Research has shown that breeders can be detrimental for all animals, which is why rescues are necessary. This would be a place for members of the community to meet and hopefully adopt a new member of their family. This space would also be used to house stray animals that have been dumped by their previous owners so that they aren’t running loose around Ralston. If done correctly, I definitely think the Ralston Animal Rescue could be considered a heart and soul attribute.

“Green Island School”

The Ralston Elementary School Song
By Candace Ames (1932-1999)

Chorus:
Our school is on a green island
A sturdy homestead’s where we began
To understand
Our fruitful land
And harvest knowledge at Ralston School

We learn through our playing in first year K
In first grade, we’re learning in diverse ways
In second grade, we strive toward productive days
Here at Ralston School
In third grade, we reach out to make new friends
In fourth grade, we’re setters of helpful trends
In fifth grade, we’re ready to round the bend
Toward middle school

Our school is on a green island
A sturdy homestead’s where we began
To understand
Our fruitful land
And harvest knowledge at Ralston School

From autumn to springtime, we learn with glee
Our parents and teachers are pleased to see
We want to improve our community
And the wider world
With classmates from countries that span the globe
We respect their customs and stories told
We value traditions, both new and old
Here at Ralston School

Our school is on a green island
A sturdy homestead’s where we began
To understand
Our fruitful land
And harvest knowledge at Ralston School