Our first imagining workshop was held on a warm February day at the public library. To begin, the group of twenty-five participants each shared a story of a place outside that held great meaning to them. Next, there were two presentations. Tai Edwards went through a visual timeline of the Park and what it had been before it was a Park, including the County Jail. Pauline Sharp followed Tai with her presentation about the Kanza People’s connection to the Big Red Rock.
The good weather allowed us to walk over to the Park and in groups explore its different facets. Filmmaker Nicholas Ward accompanied us and began to record interviews. One focused on the Park’s features including the cannon, flagpole and benches. Another group investigated access (or lack of) to and from the Park, while others paid close attention to the signage in and around the Park, and of course the Big Red Rock and the Pioneer plaque adhered to its surface. A few of us explored under the bridges to look at graffiti and think about it as a place where people sometimes sleep.
We walked back to the library where each group shared their experiences and what they discovered. Among our observations were –
A pathway under the bridges could connect to the park from below
Women on the plaque are only identified as Mrs. and not by their own names
The land could be given back to the Kanza
Separate the plaque from the rock
Just west of the park was once the county jail and in 1882 it held the three men who were lynched
Examining the rock shows it has many textures, colors and patterns
Lighting the rock at night
This is an opportunity for Lawrence to show it cares
Since the Santa Fe was involved the first time, maybe they would help again
Make it a place of healing with native plants
The cannon signifies violence and shouldn’t be there
How can the park communicate with people driving by?
The rock holds our prayers
Listen to the rock. What does it say?
*Next up, the project team will be meeting with Lawrence City Commissioners and the City manager to introduce the project and talk about ways we can collaborate.