10/9/2008 11:32:00 PM Courthouse plaza is among
top-10 public spaces in U.S.
Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier
Samantha Olson and Brianna Rajczyk play the guitar and sing songs on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza on Thursday afternoon. The plaza was recently honored by the American Planning Association as one of the top 10 great public spaces.
Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier
Joseph Myers, from Ft Worth, Texas, practices spinning poi on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza on Thursday afternoon.
PRESCOTT - With their dogs straining at leashes, three women stood talking along the Goodwin Street side of the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza.
While they appeared to be long-time friends, it turned out that one of the women - a visitor from San Diego - was meeting the other two for the first time Wednesday afternoon, their dogs serving as conversational bait.
By all accounts, that sort of friendly exchange is typical at the courthouse plaza.
Also typical: people lounging in the shade of the plaza's 170 leafy trees to read, eat, talk, play games, and just relax.
"It's a nice, low-key place to be," said Bryan Redfield, a frequent visitor to the plaza. "I come here to walk, sit down in the park, chill out and play chess."
For the three women walking their dogs, the plaza also served as a place to meet other animal lovers.
"It's funny - you get to know everybody's dogs' names," said Clarkdale resident Karen Davis, a plaza regular along with her Australian shepherd puppy, Pickles.
In short, a national list that came out this week identifying the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza as one of the top-10 public spaces in America confirmed what most locals already know: The Yavapai County Courthouse is a delightfully unique spot.
For Davis, who commutes to a job in Prescott from Clarkdale, the appeal is obvious.
"It's the history of it, and how beautiful it is," she said.
And even for Susie Griffin, visiting from San Diego, the news of Prescott's place on the list came as no surprise.
"This is the first time I've been here in 30 years; it's gorgeous," Griffin said.
Suzanne Rynne, a senior research associate for the American Planning Association, said it was the plaza's special ambiance that caught the eye of judges for the organization's first "10 Great Public Spaces" designation.
"The Yavapai County Courthouse is a great example of a public gathering space in the heart of the downtown," Rynne said this week. "It evokes the history of the community."
In fact, the nomination of the plaza impressed the organization so much that they included it on a list with such iconic sites as New York City's Central Park, the Santa Monica Beach, and Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Prescott Community Planner Mike Bacon, who worked on the nomination along with a team of several other city officials, expressed little surprise that Prescott ended up in such exclusive company.
"I can quite frankly say I didn't doubt it," Bacon said of Prescott's chances of winning the designation.
"It was just a natural for Prescott."
Bacon and other officials, including Historic Preservation Specialist Nancy Burgess, Director of Public Affairs Kim Kapin, mapping specialists Catherine Moody and Steve Gushue, and Yavapai County Facilities Director Pat Kirshman worked to put together a package that made Prescott's case for inclusion on the list.
They emphasized points such as the steady use of the plaza for public events and rallies, the excellent maintenance of the space, its simple design, and the strong commercial presence around the square.
Denny Johnson of the American Planning Association said the organization received about 100 nominations combined for its designations for Great Public Spaces, Great Neighborhoods, and Great Streets.
Contact the reporter at cbarks@prescottaz.com
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Article comment by:
Valley guest
As a visitor from the Valley I love the square. I look forward to the events and even the quite times spent there when I come up to visit. I always wished that the place was turned into a museum of the Prescott history in the courthouse. Keep up the good work.
Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Article comment by:
SC1
OK, enough is enough. Goths, skateboarders and the homeless. You see them where ever you go. They all have their stories. I have met several of these teenagers and folks. They are normal humans and I've not met a weird one yet. As far as "keep it up Prescott" on taking care of the Plaza. Wake up people. The Courthouse is and always has been the property of Yavapai County. It is Yavapai County crews that take care of it. The only thing Prescott does for the Courthouse is schedule events so they can tear it up. County crews come back and have to fix the lawn every time there is an event scheduled by Prescott. I know for a fact the City of Precott has never lifted a hand to repair what they destroy. They count on the County to foot the bill and make it a nice place for all. I see they take credit for all this and DO NOTHING!! Though it is a nice place to hang out, let's give credit where credit is due, Yavapai County and it's wonderful crew that takes care of it all so Prescott can take the glory.
EDITOR'S NOTE – Giving credit where it's due, the Prescott Downtown Partnership schedules the events on the plaza -- not the city.
Posted: Saturday, October 11, 2008
Article comment by:
tired
WOW!! It sounds like a lot of you don't appreciate what you have in Prescott! It is worse in other towns. I have NEVER seen any dog poop in the Square, and just because some people are "goths" doesn't mean they are bad. I know several and they are nice kids. It's wrong to judge by outer appearences. The Prescott area is awesome and imho, unique in it's own way, including the Courthouse Square. Other citys are destroying there historical buildings for new office space and hotels. At least Prescott saves their buildings from destruction. Keep up the good work around the Square!
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Chris
I love Prescott and enjoy spending time on the square with my family. I look forward to events like the bluegrass festival. The courthouse square and the sense of community that it adds to Prescott is a wonderful plus for a town like ours. I am a native of northern Arizona and have lived in Prescott for 20 years and wouldn't trade Prescott and it's square for any place I have ever been. keep up the good work Prescott
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Sniveling
Nancy, seeing how I am not a closet homosexual, I am assuming you believe you would know who I am by my posting my name. Therefore, the "wish" for me to "come out" tells me you must believe you will instantly know what my political beliefs are solely by my name. I'm sorry to disappoint you Nancy, but 1.) this forum is set up for anonymity, and 2.) I assure you, you wouldn't know who I am, let alone what my political beliefs are. There are those of us who do not feel the overwhelming need to see our names in print or online. Nor do we care to put our names in a public forum that does not require us to do so. It is not hiding. It is simply a matter of understanding the shameful behavior of to many in this town who behave like barricudas and sharks when an individual has a differing opinion. There is no reason I have to subject myself to this. I am, after all, NOT running for a political office of any kind. I stand behind my original posting; during these economically difficult times, it is a shame there can't be one little article where others feel a need to bring their own political agenda to the table and must spew forth negativity. Can't it be left alone for a day or two? Better yet, can't you post in a forum that specifically deals with the issues you posted about? Everyone needs a brief break now and then. Try it, you might find you actually like it!
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Brian
Dear Anonymous... "scarry little "goth" teenagers"??? I think you meant "scarey". Of course, I'm sure some of them may have scars. Anyway, what is so scarey about some kids wearing dark clothes and makeup? The '60s and '70s had hippies in funny clothes. Every generation expresses itself differently. No, I am not a Goth Teenager. I'll bet a lot of those "scarey" teenagers are anything but. Don't judge the book by the cover. And so what if there are homeless people on the courthouse plaza? They are entitled to be there just as much as you or I. Are you better than they are just because you have a home to go home to? If you don't like teenagers, homeless people and musicians, I suggest you stay at home with your narrow-minded attitude. Have a nice day. P.S. The only good point "Devil Guy" has is the one on the top of his narrow-minded skull.
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Anonymous
The square is a really neat part of our town indeed. But nevertheless, "Devil Guy" has some very good points about it. I mean, how often does it seem to be someone else's town square, not so much yours and mine, but more so for homeless people, scarry little "goth" teenagers, grungey skaters, "musicians" (term used oh-so-loosely), out of town vendors and doggies that are not responsibly maintained?
Oh yeah, I know, they have a right to it as well, sure. No limits to how much an area like that can withstand before it becomes completely undesireable, naaaah, no evidence of stuff like that around the country, right?
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Anna
I was born in Prescott and spent many days at the Courthouse. The movies on the lawn nights, flipping coins in the fountain, square dancing in the summer and gazebo weddings in the spring are amoung my favorite memories of life growing up in a small town!!
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
doug
For the list go to
www.planning.org/great
places/
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Nancy Shelton
I don't know who Sniveling is, I do know Tongue-in-Cheek's comments on applicable issues are ALWAYS pro-growth. I just wish you'd guys "come out" and use your real names so we could see just where your personal interests lay.
Tongue-in-Cheek read my comments today on my position concerning illegals.
Because I disagree with you doesn't mean I "ride a broom." My comments are generally considerate of others, without getting personal, which is more than I can say for others who blog here; particularly those who do so anonymously.
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Brian
Dear Devil Guy,
I honestly believe you would complain if your ice cream were cold or if you were hung with a new rope!
Do you walk around the courthouse looking for piles of poop? I've been there several times over the years and have never looked for one nor stepped in one. I'm sure your motto must be "Every silver-lining has a storm". You sound like a sad, negative individual.
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Brian
The courthouse plaza is the best thing about Prescott. I just wish they would quit ruining it by putting real estate offices and other unwanted businesses on Whiskey Row. PLEASE keep Whiskey Row and the courthouse plaza alone! Change is NOT always for the better.
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
Merry
This was an interesting article. However, it would have been more interesting, if we could read the list of ALL 10 top places.
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
tongue-in-cheek
Geez Nancy, park your broom before you crash into a tree. This Plaza compliment is a wonderful honor bestowed on Prescott. Nancy, Just yesterday you were going to the ends of the earth to welcome, defend and coddle ILLEGALS in the Prescott community. Today you are bashing the idea that some true LEGAL Americans might come here. I can only assume you prefer ILLEGAL over LEGAL. I also assume you are one of those down at Lincoln and Grove collecting voter registrations from these day workers.
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
Article comment by:
The Devil Guy
Ms. Nancy is correct; the town has outgrown everything! The square is "cool" if you like the dust collectors conventions that plague it for the entire summer, every summer; the bums asking for a handout, and the various piles reminding you that the dogs owners are as rude as the folks that move here...
