Category: Public Spaces and Amenities

Ralston has recently completed the construction of a floating pathway network along the lakeside shores (see image below). Since the project’s completion, these floating pathways have become something of a tourist attraction, as walking across a lake is an incredibly unique feeling! Not only has the pathway attracted tourists, but locals have begun using it as well for all kinds of purposes. From providing a new route for an early bird’s jog, to providing a relaxing stroll for all families, these floating pathways have opened up a part of the city never before explored. Overall, these floating pathways were a simple and small addition to Ralston, and yet, now that they’re here, they have become closely tied to the identity of Ralston, the “Green Island City”.

Ralston Vermont has successfully implemented our hybrid advanced solar grid and pollinator garden! Because of our town’s relatively small population as well as its remote location, solar energy is the best way to make sure that the town has power even when we can’t get our power from the mainland. Now that we have the solar panels, we have been able to maintain power after our main grid connected to the mainland was damaged in a major storm. We have also revived the bee population on the island with the pollinator gardens that grow around the panels. After the bees came back, Ralston has become Vermont’s number one honey producer and has attracted worldwide attention dubbing it Ralston Gold! This project has been so fruitful that the solar farm and the pollinator garden have become a huge tourist attraction for visitors to Ralston.

Introducing the Ralston Library committee! We’re ready to join and dedicated to serving our community of Ralston. The committee oversees and manages all of the libraries around Ralston. By working with our community, a few things we’ve done to improve is providing free library licenses to the school children as well as open up multiple jobs for book keepers and even after school teachers for separate programs. Speaking of separate programs, we’re planning on working with the local grade school to host a few after school programs. One of the programs we plan to focus more resources into would focus on helping children who may struggle with certain academic columns like focusing, literacy, writing, social skills, etc. This would take place primarily during the school year, and during the summer we would work with teachers from each school to re-write the curriculum if needed. During the summer, we plan to focus on hiring high school or college students to not only help around the library, but learn the inner mechanisms so they’d be confident in building their soft skills outside of the library. 

The Ralston Public Library has opened for the citizens, with many people of all ages coming in to check out books, attend community events, or just hang out at the library. Since the opening, there has been a flood of people trying to sign up for a program time. There has been a ton of unique topic ideas, from people wanting to show off the hobby they’re passionate about to patrons at the library, to people wanting to give a speech on a pressing topic. Some speakers have set up activity nights for teens, where they can learn how to file taxes, to kid nights, where there is an interactive painting activity with a local artist. The Ralston Library Committee has had some proposals come in from patrons, with some proposals including a playground for the younger children, as well as a daycare/child care program that the library could host in their kids room, as a way for the children to express their creativity. The Ralston Public Library, although new, has grown into a suitable Third Space for all ages alike. 

The addition of rentable, electric scooters to the city of Ralston will serve as a tremendous benefit to the community. Being a smaller city, electric and combustion vehicles only clog roadways and contribute to pollution. While there is obvious use to a larger and more powerful mode of transportation, it does not appear entirely necessary to rely on them as a sole mode of transportation. While walking the city is also an option that is simultaneously cost-free, some citizens of Ralston who may have difficulties traveling far distances on foot would benefit from another mode of transportation. The introduction of rentable, electric scooters would allow a cleaner, easier, and faster way to navigate the streets of Ralston. Solar-powered charging stations would also allow these vehicles to utilize 100% clean energy; a great benefit to the surrounding natural environment. While there would be a small, time based fee, these funds would go to the maintenance of the scooters and their charging stations. With this proposal, Ralston can hopefully be put on the path to a greener, cleaner, faster future

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.

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