What Do You Think?
We’ve all been to events at Depot Park at the confluence of our two rivers. It was designed to be a performance space, but it is small. Performers usually set up just across the foot path on the grass. There is not enough space for many people to sit where they can see the performance.
Behind the performers, the view looks out over the rivers, past a jumble of rock and repurposed concrete which to my eye, looks messy and unfinished. I think that this would be the perfect place for a viewing platform that doubles as a stage for performers. I envision a platform, a deck, 12 to 15 ft wide by 6 to 10 ft deep at a height of around 18 inches, 2 steps above grade. This would allow tourists a safer, cleaner view of the river junction.
As a musician, I want to see a well-defined elevated stage with substantially more space for audience seating because that would make it better for performers and the audience. If there is a roof, it ought to be slanted toward the river to help project the sound from the stage toward the seating area.
This could be made into an expensive project, but it doesn’t need to be. It is just your basic deck. It does not need to extend out over the water. Two or three concrete piers or a short continuous wall would hold up the river side and a small concrete pad or two at grade would support the front.
Can you picture it? It could be a really cool touch. For the townspeople and tourists, such a viewing platform/ stage would effectively tie this park together, or if you will, complete it.
Are you interested in discussing how to make this happen?