Wilton Manors Main Street lets you Write Your Name on Wilton Drive

Some cities loom larger than their size.  They mean more than the few folks there could imagine because of what they mean to those who don't live there.

Wilton Manors is clearly one of those places.

Right in the heart of town is a little plot of land.  It was hardly usable for anything economic.  It could have been made into about 3 parking spaces, it could have housed a water tower, it could have been used for something equally as bland.

The city decided to convert it into a park.  Makes sense to me!  If you look at that map above, the little triangle at NE 5th Avenue, Wilton Drive, and NE 21st Court seems to be screaming to be made into something for the people that live there.  

Had a house been built there, it would have had the enviable position of being seen from all corners.  That's not desirable, but being where it is it can be made into a meeting place for everyone.

That is what is beginning to take shape, slowly.  After all it is a Municipal "Vest Pocket" park in a small city, there are only 12000 people here, roughly, so finances will always be tight.

The first phase was to put in a little picnic area, and add in an area for what is called the "Children's Art Project".  That area went through the building of the "post card" feature.  An art installation of a chest high replica of a post card that was used to promote the properties of the city back when it was first settled back in the 1930s.  You can actually see the post card in this google maps street view and the park to the right.

Technological trickery aside, you will have a chance to participate in the growth of this little area.   The artists rendition on this page shows what it will look like once the plaza is complete.   The bricked up area is what they're offering you a chance to be a part of.

The group, Wilton Manors Main Street, will be selling bricks to pave that area.  You have a chance to add your name or your groups name to the brick and have it added to the plaza.   The sale started yesterday, January 11, 2012, and can be participated by people all over the world.

If you have connections to the area, you can participate by clicking on this link and have your name in the sun.  Once the next phase begins, after all the bricks have been sold, you know I'll have pictures of the work on my blog.  You can also get a longer description of what they're trying to do at the little park.  After all, I helped put that page together.

After all, you don't have to live in Wilton Manors to be a part of Wilton Manors.  Sometimes a little 4x8 inch brick is all you need.