Research Park comments – Possible park activities

1.11.2010

One of the features of the WikiPlanning survey site being used to help create the University Research Park master plan is the ability to both leave detailed comments and to read comments left by others.
Here is the third of three questions posed to visitors, and their responses as of Jan. 11.
The comments will continue to grow over the next several weeks. University City Partners encourages you to add your own thoughts when you visit www.wikiplanning.org. (The password is URPP).

QUESTION: If you have an idea on how University Research Park (URP) could be used for an activity or event, Please use this opportunity to let us know.
RESPONSES:
• The Greenway would be a wonderful training area for cycling teams such as the YMCA's X-Treme team that participates in various charity events.
• Coordinate with the YMCA and do a triathalon. Even a 5k, half-marathon, or marathon would be easy.
• I would like to see the bike path through the park get paved so we could have a continuous paved path from the soccer fields to the end of the Mallard Creek and Clark's Creek greenways. The current path gets pretty muddy in rainy weather. This would be especially nice after the Toby Creek greenway gets hooked into the Mallard Creek greenway.
• Nothing specific. Anything that is planned should be done to market the connection between the University and URP and the neighboring areas not just URP. A 5K race would be good and a larger race that includes the University and URP utilizing the Greenway could promote both entities, maybe even include University Place and the Hospital.
• Somehow bring the arts to our area . . . theater, arts exhibits, etc.
• I think a beautiful events building (like the Palmer Building on 7th Street) where folks could rent for weddings, etc. because of the beautiful surroundings would be nice. Maybe even onsite overnight accommodations complete with hairdresser, drycleaning, pet care for folks traveling with pets, etc. Events buildings are needed everywhere in this area! Try finding one!
• Personally, I prefer to think of University Place as the best site for such things. Anything at URP should probably feed off its existing strengths, like the greenway and all that open space.
• Open air concerts similar to "Pops in the Park" held during the summer in Southpark.
• It would be a great venue for a 5K or 10K road race. When the Toby Creek bridge is completed, it could tie in to the UNC Charlotte International Festival, for example.
• Since the URP has decent parking in the different business areas...if it had open space, we could have a Charlotte Fair there.
• Capitilize on the lake at the Hilton and have more outside events
• YMCA could host events like 4 of July Fire works or Concerts in the Park. URP is the best location to bring back the fireworks.
• The events that come to mind tend to be recreational and make use of greenway network. Opening of Toby Creek link, for instance, means greenway network will end at Bikeline Bike Store. We also have Run For Your Life running store nearby. You could do wildlife and environmental programs. But these only help urp if part of its image is to be a green people place.
• A 4th of July event would be great because I never want to fight downtown crowds and would prefer a more family friendly environment. Alive at 5 events would be fantastic on a Wed/Friday night so as to not compete with downtown but offer a family friendly alternative.
• Pleeeeeese maintain the greenway better.


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