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Placemaking Project: The Gloucester HarborWalk

The Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance recognizes placemaking initiatives across the Commonwealth. This project is one of many that were featured at our 2013 conference. See other placemaking examples

The Gloucester HarborWalk opened August 2012 and was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates through the Community Development Department of the City of Gloucester through the Office of Mayor Carolyn A. Kirk. The HarborWalk is a free, self-guided walking trail with story moments and public space throughout downtown, and designed with interactive new and traditional media as well as space for public programming.

Within its first year the HarborWalk has received several awards. It was a key component to securing a second cultural district within our City. Programming has ranged from history tours, to school group projects, and garden club engagement. The 2013 HarborWalk Public Art Challenge was published and more than 175 ideas were submitted for consideration by artists from 34 states across the country. During the summer of 2013, the first of the three public art awards was installed, a temporary work of art, the 300’ street mural FISH NET by James Owen Calderwood, fostering a range of placemaking results.

Contact: Catherine Ryan, Committee for the Arts and Friends of the HarborWalk, cryan225@gmail.com