Create a Park in Downtown Homer

Help Main Street Homer create this . . .

. . . from this.

The lot on the corner of West Main and South 2^nd Street (across from the fire station) is currently overrun with weeds and is a prominent eyesore as you enter our historic downtown square.  Jeane K. Judges is donating the land to Main Street Homer to beautify this space and return it to public use as a park.

The park design will be an open use space that will allow it to serve many functions including:

·      Event space for art and music festivals and other occasions.

·      Daily use as a green space park. 

·      Picnic venue.  An area will be provided for food truck vendors to operate.   Picnic tables will be placed under trees so patrons may eat in the park.

Hard surfaces will be added for pathway access, a sitting area, and a raised stage under the tree canopy.  The tree canopy combined with the downward slope of the property from east to west will create a natural amphitheater ideal to enjoy musical and other performances from a blanket on the lawn. 

The funds raised will be used to clear and grade the land, trim the large oak trees, install lighting, electrical outlets, irrigation, sodding, and hard surfaces for pathways and a stage area.  

The new park will be a catalyst to advance Main Street Homer’s mission to revitalize downtown Homer through economic and cultural development, historic preservation, and advancement of the arts.   This park will greatly improve the look of our downtown by transforming a previous blighted lot into a beautiful park.  The open plan of the park will allow for daily use by the community to get away for a picnic meal or gather with friends in an inviting outdoor space with plenty of shade and sunshine.  Main Street Homer will manage the event use of the park and plans to host regular art and music festivals.  Downtown based events will help support a market for local artists to sell their creations and a place for musicians to perform thus fostering art-based businesses.  All these activities will make the park a place where people will regularly gather.  Where people gather – businesses prosper.  The regular flow of people to activities and events in the park will help support existing downtown businesses as park patrons shop and dine in the area.   In addition, the flow of people will draw new businesses to downtown to occupy and restore empty and neglected buildings thus preserving our historic downtown.