Merrimack Valley: Place & Meaning 2020

An exploration of culture in planning

MVPC

Project Background

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Genesis

In 2018, Essex County Community Foundation launched its Creative County Initiative – a partnership with the Barr Foundation to elevate arts and culture in Essex County.

The goal has been to work with local communities to learn how to infuse cultural development into community development. The belief is that a cultural action plan enriches the cultural life of a city or town while helping to fuel economic growth and enhance the safety, health and connectivity of our communities.

Cultural Planning Labs

During the winter of 2019 ECCF partnered with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and MVPC to coordinate four cultural planning labs for municipal officials, planners, and arts leaders from the nonprofit and private sectors in Essex County.

Newburyport, Lawrence, Beverly, Peabody.

Over 120 people participated.

Cultural Planning Labs

Two "Next Steps" were recommended coming out of those four planning labs:

1. Cultural Asset-Mapping and technical support for municipal planning efforts

2. Strengthen the regional infrastructure between artists, cultural producers, and stakeholders.

Merrimack Valley: Place and Meaning 2020

Summer of 2019 brought the launch of the Merrimack Valley Cultural Mapping project with over 90 people participated in the kick-off event.

Merrimack Valley: Place and Meaning 2020

COVID-19 forced us to pivot. Like everyone else, we went digital to collect important places and asked people to contribute stories, art, and other media.

Expression Book

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Flip through the Expression Book

Tour of Cultural Focal Points

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1

Methuen Spicket River Falls

The footbridge over the Spicket Falls Historic District, the historic industrial heart of Methuen and beautiful waterfalls , is adorned with fragments of poems from local and famous poets. Brightly colored and changing seasonally by Methuen Arts.

2

Lawrence Street

in Lawrence is where I grew up for most of my life. This is where I share the most memories in whether it’s taking the bus, buying pastelitos from a food truck, eating at a restaurant, buying from stores or just walking with friends.

3

Bakers Meadow (Andover)

My husband or I walk our dog there at least once a day. It has become a treasured place to connect to nature and calm our minds. In these last few months it has become even more special to us as it provides routine and a place for calm reflection.

4

COCO Brown

Haverhill's first and only cultural space focused on people of color. It is a cultural community center; a multifunctional, intergenerational, place-making social entrepreneurial effort and a movement targeting social, economic and environmental equity.

5

Haverhill Farmers Market

An important part of Haverhill since 1978. We have locally grown vegetables, produce, baked goods, wine and many other products but it is a place for the community to connect with the vendors and citizens of Haverhill

6

Old Town Hall

Old Town Hall is one venue where Pentucket Arts Foundation hosts events. The Nonprofit uses the transformative power of the arts to help make the community a more vibrant place to live, learn, work & be inspired.  

7

March's Hill

Great sledding hill for young kids and families

8

Salisbury Beach Carousel

Salisbury Beach has long been a summer destination for Merrimack Valley families. The reservation, campgrounds, and beach are among the very best for fun and summer activities. Children, as well as adults have enjoyed riding on the carousel.

Complete Map of Cultural Focal Points

Cultural Asset Inventory Attachment Viewer

Project Partners