What parts of the Washington region do you think are Great Places?
The American Planning Association just named Adams Morgan and Pennsylvania Avenue to its list of “Great Places in America.” If you were choosing their list, what places would you pick? They would like to know.
Photo by tedeytan on Flickr.
A variety of factors makes a place great. The best places are visually stimulating, are vibrant gathering places, and accommodate many different people doing different things. They are economic stimuli for communities and encourage personal contact. They also reflect of the culture of their communities.
Pennsylvania Avenue made this year’s list of Great Streets for its “mix of civic spaces, public buildings, monuments, parks, local government, residences, hotels, theaters, and museums,” and its role hosting “historic events such as presidential inaugurations, state funerals, and protests, marches, and celebrations.”
Photo by Khaz on Flickr.
Adams Morgan is on the list of Great Neighborhoods for its “colorful storefronts and iconic rowhouses, … community murals, … international shops, restaurants, annual festivals, weekly farmers markets, and nightlife.” Also, its 2012 streetscape project “improved the streets for pedestrians and added bicycle lanes, Capital Bikeshare stations, and bike racks” along with the Circulator and Metro.
APA’s annual lists of ten Great Streets, ten Great Neighborhoods, and ten Great Public Spaces always generate discussion and controversy. So this year, the association is doing something a little different by asking you to suggest your own great places.
What places would you nominate? Please tell us in the comments and we will share the list with APA. You can also tweet or Instagram your nomination using the tag #MyGreatPlace.