Let's Name The Greenway!

Let’s Name The Greenway

NAMING TOOLKIT » INTRODUCTION

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Hey, St. Louis!

Since 2017, Great Rivers Greenway, the public agency connecting the region with greenways, has been working with the community to plan and bring to life a new urban greenway that will span up to 20 miles and reach up to 17 different neighborhoods in St. Louis. It has been called Chouteau Greenway thus far. Now, we need your creativity and talent to give a name to the project.

HERE’S WHAT THE NAMING PROCESS LOOKS LIKE:

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Public call for ideas through January 31st

WE ARE HERE

Committee meets to narrow down name submissions Legal, Board and City Review New name is announced in Spring 2020

So, join in the fun, share your ideas, and let’s build this greenway together!

NAMING TOOLKIT » INTRODUCTION

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Why Change the Name?

The Chouteau Greenway project first started in the 1990s with a dream to connect Forest Park to the Gateway Arch. However, what we are building today is so much more than that.

You’ve told us that it’s important to build connections to neighborhoods north and south. The greenway will stretch north, south, east, and west to break through real and perceived barriers in the city.

You’ve told us that the name “Chouteau Greenway” is hard to say and spell, and that it isn’t meaningful to everyone. The greenway needs a new name that reflects what we’ve heard from the community about the changes needed and opportunities that abound for St. Louisans.

Find out more: To find out more about this project, visit www.NameTheGreenway.org & read the “Making of a Greenway” update.

Draft concept - Market Street looking east

NAMING TOOLKIT » INTRODUCTION

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What is this Toolkit?

This toolkit introduces you to the project and guides you through some exercises to think of potential names for the greenway.

It’s fun to do with friends, family, or co-workers, but it’s also got some great ideas to get your creativity flowing solo. If you’re brainstorming with a group, we’ve suggested timeframes to keep the conversation flowing, but feel free to do things at your own pace. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

HERE IS THE PROCESS IN THREE SIMPLE STEPS:

with some exercises

Dive In with an intro to the project

Suggested Time: 20 minutes

Dream Up

Try Out

with brainstorming exercises

your ideas

Suggested Time: 30 minutes

Suggested Time: 10 minutes

NAMING TOOLKIT » DIVE IN

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Where Does It Take Us?

4 Anchor Parks Connected

17 up to

Neighborhoods Connected Legend Chouteau Greenway Potential Alignment Existing Greenway Future Greenways Future Trail Connections

20 up to

Miles of Possible Routes

NAMING TOOLKIT Âť DIVE IN

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What Can I Do There?

This greenway is all about connecting people to places and to each other.

You can go for a run, meet up with friends at an outdoor festival, or explore a new-to-you neighborhood art project.

Beyond the trail, this project can inspire collaboration and create opportunities for all. Projects like this one, if done thoughtfully and with many partners, can pave the way for local businesses, affordable housing, jobs training, programs and events that support the neighbors along the way.

Draft concept - Vacant lot next to the Griot Museum

NAMING TOOLKIT » DIVE IN

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Our Story More than a place, this is a movement— it’s where change starts on the porch, extends to the block, spills into the neighborhood and reaches throughout the region. The greenway may meet us where we are, but it takes us beyond our comfort zones to explore further and discover a different side to the city we thought we knew so well.

The greenway won’t just move us from A to B. It moves us. It can catalyze growth for ourselves, our city, and our natural world—not only through the project but through the process of creating common ground.

Working together, we can take small steps and make big moves. It starts with a new name. So let’s get started!

Draft concept - Delmar Boulevard in Grand Center as a community event space

NAMING TOOLKIT » DIVE IN

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Let’s Warm Up Imagine communities or cities that you love or think of as thriving. What are the ingredients that make it vibrant? What does it look, feel, sound, smell, and taste like?

Sounds like…crickets’ song on a summer evening

Looks like…sun-toasted brick

Smells like…hops brewing

NAMING TOOLKIT » DREAM UP

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Our Dream Name Time to think of names! Here’s what we’ve heard from you about what would make an ideal name.

Mix of fun and fundamental—should be relatable and meaningful

Easy to say, spell, and understand

Broad enough to encompass the scope of the project, not just one neighborhood or theme

Fits with a vision for a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive future for the region

Ideal is “___ Greenway” to fit in regional network of greenways

Specific & unique to St. Louis

NAMING TOOLKIT » DREAM UP

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Different Types of Names There are many different ways to name a place, and there are many different approaches to coming up with a strong name. Most importantly, the name has to feel like it belongs to the place and the community.

What are some potential names for the greenway that these name types inspire? Jot them all down—the more ideas, the better!

HERE ARE SOME COMMON TYPES OF PLACE NAMES:

Connective

Experiential

Representative

Emotional

E.g. San Diego’s Silver Strand is poetic, yet clearly communicates connectivity

E.g. San Antonio River Walk hints at the activities and experiences that can happen in this park

E.g. The Big Easy speaks to New Orleans’ laid-back and easygoing attitude

E.g. Bogotá’s Forest of Hope feels optimistic and conveys a sense of promise

NAMING TOOLKIT » DREAM UP

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Mix It Up

FEELING STUCK?

Now that you’ve got a list of ideas, it’s time to play around and mix it up. If you’re brainstorming with others, share your list with the group—you never know how you can inspire or be inspired!

• How do you want this greenway to make you feel?

• What smells, sights, and sounds are uniquely St. Louis?

• What do you want to see and do on the greenway?

Substitute

Simplify

Mash Up

Riff Off

Are there interesting ways to change parts of the name?

E.g. The Jazzline > The Jazztrack

Can you shorten the name?

E.g. St. Louis > The Louie

Can you combine words into interesting names?

E.g. Wonderful + Way > Wonderway

What other words make you think or feel a certain way?

E.g. The Thread > The Tangle

NAMING TOOLKIT » TRY OUT

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Time to Pick Your Favorite HERE ARE THREE SIMPLE TESTS:

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Does it work in conversation?

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Does it stand out?

How does it sound in this list of greenways and public spaces?

Meet you at Greenway!

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Does it fit with the project’s process and goals?

The Greenway connects St. Louis together and opens up opportunities for everybody.

The High Line Indianapolis Cultural Trail Atlanta Beltline Dequindre Cut Waterloo Greenway Rail Park The Bentway The 606 Bayou Greenway

#NameTheGreenway Ready to send in your idea(s)?

Submit your name ideas at www.NameTheGreenway.org or by texting the word “NAME” to 77222, then text your idea(s).

GREENWAY WRITE YOUR NEW AMAZING NAME HERE

Want to share your idea with the world? Print this page out and take a picture of yourself with your proposed name. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NameTheGreenway and tag @GreatRiversSTL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!