PROCESS

The MAPC Artist in Residence, Carolyn Lewenberg was given the opportunity to pitch a project that drew on her strengths, interests, and promoted the values the Arts and Culture team had developed. Everett emerged as a strong site due to the cultural and economic diversity, demonstrated interest in adding more spaces for community gardening, and the City’s interest in incorporating more public art into the fabric of the city. Everett Community Growers, a key partner in the project and the local membership organization working to improve health outcomes and increase civic and community engagement through urban agriculture and other food justice initiatives was already working with MAPC’s Public Health team and The City of Everett on a Community Food Assessment. The relationships were already in motion that this project could develop further. The Land Use team was also working on an Open Space and Recreation Plan, so Lewenberg was also able to build on relationships from this project. She went to a community event with the Land Use planners to get to know the community better and to get feedback on initial design ideas.

After getting initial community feedback, Lewenberg worked with the City Planning staff to develop a scope of work and develop the project further. Everett Community Growers helped convene two community meetings to discuss the design and anticipated community benefits to the project. National Grid, which operates a buried electrical conduit that runs through the site, was consulted and the project was adjusted so the major structural elements and hugelkultur mounds were placed outside the buffer zone. In-Kind support from the City’s Facilities and Department of Public Works as well as volunteers from a city sponsored Spring Clean-Up day were critical elements in implementing the design.