Pop Up Spaces

As the weather gets nicer and we're finally able to return to outdoor spaces, we find that there are a lot more places that we're able to enjoy. People flood the parks, eager to walk around and see spring flowers or play sports like tennis and soccer. There are more people riding around town on bikes and from what I've observed a lot more people walking around downtown during the days and evenings. Over the weekend I attended a student carnival at Ball State University and it got me thinking about how the spaces and places we enjoy don't have to be permanent. A one day, two day, or one week event can transform a space like an empty field or parking lot into a completely new space, like a carnival or outdoor concert. 

This time of year is when we see pop up public spaces and more places upon back up for the spring and summer seasons. There are outdoor concerts at the Foellinger Theatre again, the parks invite us to spend free time enjoying the nice weather, carnivals and festivals start to happen again, and ice cream stands open back up. And always a hint that warm weather is here is the presence of food trunks lining the streets downtown to feed a hungry lunch crowd. I personally love the reappearance and opportunity to return of all of these places and events, and find there is much more to do now that I don't feel trapped indoors. 

So congratulations everyone for making it through the horrible winter! It's time to go back out and enjoy the spaces and places in our community that have been covered in snow for months. The outdoors can be a great space in which to create or enjoy pop up public places and events. Here in Fort Wayne there's all the summer festivals at Headwaters, such as Germanfest and the Three Rivers Festivals, there is the Rivergreenway and many bike paths to enjoy, parks such as Foster Park and Lakeside Park, and many other things!