Two Maysville Main Street projects won top honors at the Kentucky Main Street awards ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort last week, according to Maysville Main Street Director Caroline Reece.
One was best Outdoor Space Improvement for Browning Park. Also known as the “Hole In The Wall,” the basketball court sits on the corner of Wall and Third streets and access is by steep steps from the Wall Street side.
“That project in the Main Street District is a perfect example of how city government should work,” said Reece. “It was the suggestion of downtown residents Stephanie Gastauer and Brandi Lewis who noticed the space was looking rundown and thought it could be nicer. They contacted Maysville City Manager Matt Wallingford, and then he called the public works department and Main Street. Everyone worked together and we now have a really nice space there.”
In addition to picnic tables, a shelter, swing set, and improvements to the court itself, a large mural was painted on one of the walls. It pays tribute to the city’s strong basketball history and that the court was probably used by players from three local schools to practice at one time or another. With that thought, participation from all of them was sought. Art teachers Stephanie Martinez at mason County High School and Karen Heller at St. Patrick School were contacted and immediately offered to help. However, Maysville High School, established in 1876, was closed in 1991. That hitch was solved when local artist Barbara Clarke, MHS Class of ’68, agreed to join the project.
“Maysville has such a long list of basketball greats, we’d have to paint the whole town to recognize them all,” Reece said. The group decided to feature footwear instead. Art students from Mason County and St. Patrick – as well as Clarke – designed a shoe a player from their school might wear. The designs were done independently, and then blended together in the mural’s overall design.
“I believe this project won an award because it successfully weaved together so many elements that make a town a home, “ Reece said. “The project was all started by the voice of a few citizens – and their voices were heard and improvements made,” she added.
The fact that all of the schools were represented received the most enthusiastic response, and the park project incorporated the best of partnerships: one between the Main Street Board and the city of Maysville, and most importantly, all the local school systems, officials said. Current students from separate schools collaborated on the thing for which they have the most passion: art. Those younger students also got to know and work with Clarke, who represented an older, very important part of our town’s history, Maysville High School.
Kentucky Main Street Director Kitty Dougoud agreed.
“We love that Maysville Main Street involves so many people in the community, especially the young people/students. They will someday be in leadership roles throughout the city, and allowing them to have ownership and engagement into their community now will keep them there in the future,” Dougoud said.
Maysville Main Street also received the Best Promotion of the Downtown Award for the radio segment “Downtown Business Buzz” on WFTM. As the Second Street gas/water line construction neared an end, Reece wanted to do something for the downtown merchants who were really hurt by months of closed streets and sidewalks. She asked Wallingford and WFTM General Manager Robert Roe if part of the weekly “City Beat” radio show could feature downtown business owners. The two agreed and since October, the merchants have gotten to use some air time to talk to Roe, Travis Scaggs, or Drew Spangler about anything from the history of their business to their location and hours, what makes them unique, and what specials they have running through different holidays.
After the construction, it also reminds listeners that the downtown is still here, it is open, easily accessible, and looks better than ever. The show has also been a nice outreach for the local radio station.
“WFTM has always been proud to promote our city, and it is gratifying to see Maysville Main Street being recognized for our collaboration,” Robert Roe said, “It is proof of what can happen when all the factions of a city work together to attain its goals,” he added.
