The Aesthetics of Your Retirement Location

Again, this is not something I’d really thought about in a retirement location before coming to Fort Collins, CO. But it’s something to consider. Fort Collins is a beautiful, clean city. I haven’t noticed any overflowing trash cans or trash on the streets. The people who live here seem to take pride in their city. Granted, my view is limited to the north side of town near Old Town. So, my window may be somewhat small. But I like what I see out of my little window. Here’s an example:

408 Remington St., Fort Collins, CO - Nancy Erskine, artist





This photo is a transformer that has been “transformed” into a work of art. There are now 90 transformers in the “Art in Alleys” program. The program is part of a city project called, “Art in Public Places”(APP). Groups sponsor a transformer mural and local artists paint it. The goal is to eliminate graffiti on the boxes. According to Ellen Martin, coordinator of APP, the program was the brainchild of city utility engineers for graffiti abatement. The program actually saves the city money! How cool is that? Another APP program is to paint trash cans in city parks. School groups and organizations design and paint up to two trash cans that are then placed in city parks. The city must approve the design and provides the cans and paint to the sponsoring group who does the work. What a great idea to engage the community in beautification of the city! APP’s “Pedestrian Paver” program takes drawings submitted by local youth and sandblasts them into granite pavers. The pavers are then used whenever the city does sidewalk improvements or repairs. In addition, they’ve partnered with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to provide 60 pavers for DDA’s “Alley Enhancement Program.”

What a novel idea to beautify the city, engage the community, AND save money! Are other people looking at this program and considering bringing it to their cities?! The answer is YES! Ellen says she gets frequent calls from city leaders across the country who want to find out how to set up such a program. She just recently spoke to city leaders in Missoula, Montana. Way to go Fort Collins! Again, it goes back to my post about city leaders having a vision for the city. It matters. But more than just the vision for the city, departments are partnering, working together and involving the public. I love it.

Thumbs up for Fort Collins’ “Art in Public Places” program and the city leaders, local artists and community who make FC a beautiful place to live. To learn more about this program, go to: www.fcgov.com/artspublic