Can someone find the latest "vision statements" (output of wkshop 3) and copy them here? It might be easier to see and compare them if they were all together. The mission statement thread might not have the all the latest ones and there was other things goin' on there.
Riverside Info » About Riverside
Vision Statements
(11 posts)-
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 00:24 #
-
Riverside Workshops
Visionary ideas
20 & 22 February 2007
Vision writing —“ fun, but challenging !
A-B-C precepts of successful Vision statements:1. Accuracy
2. Brevity
3. Clarity
4. Applicability
Visions are not contracts, constitutions or covenants. They are brief, meaningful, self-contained statements that accurately reflect (in our case) our view of how we relate to a thing called “Riverside.—
Visions usually purport to have general agreement supporting them. It is always better if that in fact is the case. One way to get there is to agree in advance that all of us are writing the vision, so that there are no authorship issues. None of the below has an author's name attached, but each is the result of a sincere effort to put into words the relationship we as residents have with our hometown.
You may find one of the below speaks well for you. You may not. You may find some great lines in each that you would like to put together. What we need is to start assembling text that resonates with residents.
If you feel moved to write, there is a sheet for you to do so.Please mark your preference(s), or suggested edits, or a new version (on page 7),
and return to Diane Legge Kemp. Thanks!Suggested vision statement “A—:
Our Vision is Frederick Law Olmsted's vision for Riverside that is illustrated in the Olmsted & Vaux, Plan of Riverside:
Riverside is a semi-rural suburb, not far from the City of Chicago, designed to foster and express the harmonious association and cooperation of citizens in the community, and the civic relationship and interdependence between families, and to suggest and imply leisure, contemplativeness, and happy tranquility, with miles of pleasant access to the scenery of the streets and open spaces, to sunshine and fresh air, and to convenient commercial activity to support our daily lives. The character of this community is expressed in a unified landscape experience through a consistent, continuous planting approach, and a sense of enclosure and of safety with curvilinear streets.
We will, as stewards of Olmsted's vision, preserve, protect and maintain Riverside's character and historic landmark status, while addressing the realities and requirements of contemporary life: by guiding the physical design of our community, by conserving our natural resources, by sustaining economic growth to fund the services needed to maintain Riverside's facilities and infrastructure, and by governing with fiscal responsibility and adherence to the Vision.
Suggested vision statement “B—:
Our Vision is Frederick Law Olmsted's vision for Riverside that is illustrated in the Olmsted & Vaux Plan of Riverside:
Riverside is a semi-rural suburb, not far from the City of Chicago, designed to foster and express the harmonious
association and cooperation of citizens in the community, and the civic relationship and interdependence between families, and to suggest and imply leisure, contemplativeness, and happy tranquility, with miles of pleasant access to the scenery of the streets and open spaces, to sunshine and fresh air, and to convenient commercial activity to support our daily lives. The character of this community is expressed in a unified landscape experience through a consistent, continuous planting approach, and a sense of enclosure and of safety with curvilinear streets.The people of Riverside are dedicated to perpetuating the vision of Olmsted and Vaux as a model community for
timeless suburban living. As stewards of Olmsted's vision, we will preserve, protect and maintain Riverside's character and historic landmark status by guiding the physical design of our community, by conserving our natural resources, by
maintaining Riverside's facilities and infrastructure, and by governing with fiscal responsibility and adherence to the
Vision.Suggested vision statement “C—:
We, the people of Riverside, humbled by the foresight of Frederick Law Olmsted and in gratitude for the privilege of living our lives as guests of his masterful creation, are dedicated to protecting his vision for Riverside for generations to come.
Faced with modern-day challenges that Olmsted's vision does not address, we are guided by the spirit of his concern for humanity and nature, and the innovative and thoughtful essence of his work.
Above all, we are resolved to unyieldingly protect the environment, promote social justice, and guarantee education of the highest quality for our children. We invite visitors of all ages to share in our heritage and explore the inspiring and beautiful Riverside experience.Suggested vision statement “D—:
VISIONS OF RIVERSIDE
Olmsted and Vaux, 1869:Riverside is a semi-rural suburb, not far from the City of Chicago, designed to foster and express the harmonious association and cooperation of citizens in the community, and the civic relationship and interdependence between families, and to suggest and imply leisure, contemplativeness, and happy tranquility, with miles of pleasant access to the scenery of the streets and open spaces, to sunshine and fresh air, and to convenient commercial activity to support our daily lives. The character of this community is expressed in a unified landscape experience through a consistent, continuous planting approach, and a sense of enclosure and of safety with curvilinear streets. Riverside Workshops, 2007:The National Historic Landmark community Riverside, Illinois is a special place in history, thought and appearance. A masterpiece of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, Riverside stands as an example of inspired village design timelessly meeting the needs of its residents. In turn, we residents of Riverside, while seeking the pleasures of suburban living, will maintain its special character, preserve its landmarks, attract businesses for our own and our guests' use, keep its institutions —“ both private and public -- strong, enjoy its unique melding of village and land, and welcome visitors who seek to enrich knowledge of its character and contribution. In our civic relationships we are guided by the very example of Olmsted and Vaux's street plan: While we may at times diverge, we almost always converge at a place of lasting natural beauty, which is Riverside.Suggested vision statement “E—:
Frederick Law Olmsted was visionary in his design of Riverside. It has been the responsibility of ensuing generations of caretakers to see that his vision remains ever-evolving and viable: rooted to the past, mindful of present realities, projecting and planning for a vital future.
As such, Downtown Riverside is situated at the center of our community and reflects the balance struck between preserving its historic character and landmark status and fostering an environment that is supportive of contemporary residential and commercial needs.
Located within mixed-use buildings that feature ground level shops and restaurants with residential units above, niche businesses thrive in Downtown Riverside. These businesses provide the day-to-day necessities for residents, as well as a wide variety of unique, specialty items.
The existence of rail transportation allowed Olmsted's dream to become a reality, and it continues to be an important part of the community today. High quality transit service provides convenient regional access to jobs, culture and education.
Downtown Riverside is blessed with both natural and man-made beauty. Its older buildings are well maintained, and its new buildings reinforce the area's small-scale, pedestrian-oriented character. Its public gathering spaces, streetscape features, planting areas, and amenities make spending time there pleasurable and nurturing of the human spirit. Artful design, blending into the topography and greenery of the Des Plaines River, contributes to the unique experience of being downtown.
Downtown Riverside is a destination for scholars and tourists who have come to appreciate the design and architecture of the Village. The landmark Water Tower Campus and museum provide sources of study while our guests sojourn at the bed and breakfast or quaint hotel on the banks of the Des Plaines River. The evenings gently bustle with diners, community center patrons and art lovers.
Downtown Riverside's success is not coincidental; it is the product of the long-term commitment and hard work of its citizens and institutions to effectuate positive, consistent development. Downtown Riverside is a special place: the focal point of the Village we are proud to call home.
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 07:09 # -
Does anybody know the result of the vote on these?
Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 18:40 # -
After the last workshop session, I heard that Chris Robling was aiming to have the results compiled by today. So they should be coming soon.
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 10:07 # -
What was the purpose of the vision statement exercise? I'm asking honestly.
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 10:11 # -
It is a starting point. One in which the village would refer to in all things before it makes decisions. Basically who and what are we?
I think there was a vote during session III, write your own or edit existing. Not sure how those are being assessed.
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 13:41 # -
Its going to be interesting to see what and how they come up with a distillation of all the ideas presented at the vision workshops. A feat similar to herding a buch of cats I'd say
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 14:24 # -
IMO: Vision A and vision E are out because of their references to contemporary requirements. I feel that is a code word, or a shibboleth, for chiptotles and inc.
http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic.php?id=201&page=2&replies=37#post-3202**Watch the shells and the hands closely, friends. **
ChrisH, the vision stmt will be the judge, or a judge, of whether some development or whatever, is consistant with the vision or essence of what Riverside really is or not.
Of course, we all know that 'Contemporary' needs or requirements are that we have chipotles and lots of things to do and see in downtown Riverside!
Quick impression:
I like B, but please add C's specification of the primacy of Education. I believe that Olmsted's spec of cooperation and harmony of families that B states will cover C's statement of social justice.
Watch out for Vision D with this phrase
"...attract businesses for our own and our guests' use.."
You guys are probably smart enough to know what this means...Your building 'business for others' right into the fabric of the essence of Riverside.
Baking business into the vision, reminds me of the absurdist Modest Proposal from the other mission thread...,
http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic.php?id=184&replies=66#post-2653(note in this link how TODD and I fooled KimJ; and she, in an innocent Socratic moment, expressed the argument that we were trying to state - that EAV (and its cousins) has nothing to do with Riverside's essence. This, btw, is an example how non standard communication, or satire or 'sarcasm', can be a way of getting a point across. In another words, it can be productive.
.
On this subject of Education...One thing I want to pass to all of you parents:
GET YOUR KIDS ON STAGE, DO DEBATE, DECLAIM, SPEAK OUT!, EXPRESS YOURSELF, DO ART! KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL, ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENT, CRITICAL, ANALYTICAL THINKING !
It is a Riverside thing, a 'Concorde West' kind of thing.
Long after your gone, they might have some town or city want to take their homes. Give them the tools to fight - education of the mind and of the spirit!
I have been absolutely scared shi*less going up there and speaking during this debacle - 'cause I did not have good educational training on that front, I believe. And this demerit of education showed at the last workshop - I just lost the noive and the courage to say my two cents on behalf of the TIF residents during this most important workshop, the final exam, if you will, on this tool. I did not speak on the Big Brother-ness of this tool. Shame on me, and sorry. I will try to get it out SOMEHOW....I asked the moderator and she did not think it necessary, but....
[Our ignorance is their power.]
This is on topic, especially since who would debate THIS self evident statement? But I wanted to tease it out explicitly in this context. It has been on my mind for a while.
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 15:05 # -
My only word on this subject:
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 16:16 # -
spatny, pls try to give a one liner on what it is or what you are trying to say since some computers cannot access youtube content.
speaking of viruses, beware the trojan horse of 'contemporary needs'.
hmm. maybe I should have just said that?
I just did.
Posted Friday Mar 2, 2007 16:59 #
Reply »
You must log in to post.