Town Seeks Visions for Better Wickford with "Walking Workshop" on Saturday

What’s your vision for a better Wickford?

The town wants to know.

There’s no question that Wickford has its charms. But it also is believed to be one of North Kingstown’s most unexploited economic resources.

The big question for planners, developers and those who live and work in the historic village is how exactly can the quality of life be improved in Wickford without sacrificing the core things that make it a quaint New England gem.

Your chance to sound off on what changes could be made to make Wickford an economic driver for the town is this Saturday.

And the best part? You don’t have to squirm in your seat inside Town Hall.

The town, along with support from the Wickford Economic Development Advisory Board and local professionals will be leading what has been dubbed a “Wickford Walking Workshop.”

From noon to 4 p.m., town and Wickford representatives will be walking from the Town Hall Annex at 55 Brown Street towards St. Paul’s “where we will spend our time discussing ideas and coming up with a renewed vision,” according to a town release.

Along with refreshments and light fare donated by Pranzi Catering, the walk should offer planners the fruits of forward thinking. Questions about how the quality of life can be improved, how the village can be made safer and more walkable and how Wickford Harbor fits into the bigger picture are ripe for discussion.

The idea behind the walk is straightforward. While formal meetings are where ideas are put into action, having a frank discussion about Wickford while walking its streets can facilitate a broader and visual conversation about the village’s future. It’s also a chance for people to get a more focused look at the village that a pass-through in a car can’t provide.

If you go: It’s Saturday, Jan. 17 2015. Be dressed for the occasion.