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You’ve heard of makerspaces, but what about a whole Maker Trail? This fall, as part of the Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge, Main Street Enid created just that—a downtown-wide, multi-station event with creative, experiential activities. Kelly Tompkins of Main Street Enid shares more about the Maker Trail project and how it inspired creativity and helped people discover downtown.
Learning through discovery gives us the problem-solving experience necessary to be creative and innovative thinkers. The maker movement, including makerspaces and Maker Faires, involves independent inventors, designers, artisans and tinkerers creating and sharing.
Inspired by the maker concept, Main Street Enid created a Maker Trail with opportunities to explore, create, and discover at various “maker stations” around downtown Enid at our First Friday and Oktoberfest event in October 2017. A “trail” of maker activities called back to the historic Chisholm Trail (aka “world’s greatest cattle trail”) that went through downtown Enid 150 years ago, and created the opportunity to lead attendees off the beaten path of the main square to shopping, dining, and arts and entertainment locations many hadn’t noticed before.
Along the Maker Trail, attendees got to create with masking tape, build with cardboard, connect a circuit, watch a giant geodesic dome being built, visit Enid’s own makerspace, disassemble a piano, make and race potato cars, code a mini robot, and build a structure with straws:
Art Station
The Art Station was located in the Leonardo’s Children’s Museum parking lot, with Adventure Quest open that evening, which is the world’s largest community-built playground. It is also near Creative Arts Enid and our new Bright Future community-painted mural. The activity was a technique called Tapigami, which is building things out of masking tape. Volunteers were from Creative Arts Enid, Leonardo’s and the community. Some people really connected with the idea of creating with tape and had fun making things like glasses and hands.
Cardboard Build Station
The Cardboard Build Station stemmed from our recent giant hammer project, where we built a giant hammer out of carpet tubes and cardboard boxes. The construction instructor from Autry Technology Center ran this station at the Butterfly Project mural, next to the Downtown Kitchen Store, Cafe Garcia and David Allen Memorial Ballpark. Cardboard and tape provide so many possibilities, we look forward to building more giant things!
Circuit Station
The Circuit Station was in the Central National Bank Center plaza, an event center, where attendees also enjoyed live music. The unexpected fun of learning about the flow of electric current and lighting LEDs leads us to other ideas on a larger scale for the future, possibly with conductive paint, lights and sounds.
The geodesic dome became a magical gathering place. Photo by Erin Haney Designs
Geodesic Dome
The 33-foot diameter Geodesic Dome was built during the event on the Courthouse Lawn. This was fascinating to watch, and around 20 bystanders helped lift the last section when it was near completion. After the dome was built, children seemed compelled to run in circles under it, and it became a magical gathering place.
Several other artists and makers also set up on the Courthouse Lawn to demonstrate activities such as woodturning, cosmetology and 3-D printing.
Library Makerspace
The Enid Public Library Makerspace has an abundance of supplies and electronics for learning and creating. They gained new attention by being open during the Maker Trail and more people now realize what a great resource it is.
Disassembling the piano to see how it works was fascinating. Photo by Kelly Tompkins
Music Station
The Music Station in front of Community Thrift & Gift consisted of a piano to disassemble. Part of learning is tinkering and seeing how things work by taking them apart. Families in particular enjoyed this station and were encouraged to take home (surprisingly long) piano keys to make other things out of them.
Potato Racing Station
The Potato Racing Station, located near the CDSA Non-Profit Center and The Felt Bird gift shop, included a 24-foot racing ramp borrowed from the Enid Farmers Market. Garfield County 4-H volunteers ran this station and helped attendees carve potatoes into cars, adding wheels, axles and googly eyes. This fun, busy station taught attendees how to make a potato car go in a straight line fast.
It was fun carving potatoes into cars to race down the track. Photo by Erin Haney Designs
Robot Coding Station
The Robot Coding Station in front of the Broadway Antiques & Uniques antique mall featured four Ozobots that followed black lines and codes. It is surprisingly fun to draw a line and instructions in the form of color codes and watch a little robot follow them.
Many people of all ages loved building with straws and connectors. Photo by Erin Haney Designs
Straw Structure Station
The Straw Structure Station, located in our Oktoberfest area, was run by the Northwest Oklahoma Association of Realtors. People young and old enjoyed building with straws and connectors called Strawbees.
The Maker Trail project was a huge hit. It was marketed extensively, which resulted in the most-attended First Friday we’ve ever had, with activities and people ALL over downtown.
Feedback on the Maker Trail was also positive—the worst we heard was that attendees could not make it to all of the stations because there was so much to do! (The stations spanned an area three blocks by five blocks—in the future a shorter distance would not only be easier to manage, it would also be easier for attendees to visit each station.)
Our volunteers also had a great time. A robot station volunteer loved to see the moment when people realized they were actually coding a robot, the beginning of so much in the technology industry. The circuit station volunteers were surprised at how fun people thought the activity was, and a jet mechanic Marine recruiter loved the idea of learning by disassembling the piano.
Within days after the Maker Trail, Main Street Enid heard from teachers who wanted to use the activities with their elementary and middle school science students. This and all of the positive feedback made us realize this is something people are excited about; we are exploring possibilities for the future of the maker movement in their community.
The Maker Trail project allowed Main Street Enid to start relationships with new partners and volunteer groups they hadn’t connected with in the past. Funds for the Maker Trail came from 31 individuals who donated $10-150, and eight corporate sponsors who contributed $250-$500, in addition to the $2,500 matching grant from Edward Jones, with assistance from crowdfunding expert ioby and Main Street America.
The Maker Trail created an additional draw for our First Friday event, brought more attention to the historic district, fostered new business relationships, recruited new volunteers, jumpstarted imaginations, helped people discover more businesses, and inspired creative learning.
Like learning about this Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge project? Read about another in Transforming a Neglected Parking Lot in Metuchen, New Jersey.
About the author:
Kelly Tompkins has been the Director of Main Street Enid since 2012. She is a CNU-Accredited creative placemaking urbanist who was chosen as Oklahoma Program Manager of the Year in 2015. Kelly thrives on marketing and incorporating the arts into downtown revitalization.
Music has a unifying power to bring people of all generations, backgrounds, and cultures together for creative expression. Let’s explore how accessible, family-friendly music experiences can strengthen Main Streets across America to build stronger communities, one concert at a time!
Main Street America is pleased to announce the launch of a $1.8 million sub-grant program as part of our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Thriving Communities Program.
Beloit, Kansas © Shane Hampton
Construction projects can put a lot of stress on your downtown. From preparation to completion, Brooke Prouty at Iowa Economic Development Authority shares best practices to help your Main Street thrive during construction.
Creating real change in business ownership starts with local communities leading the way, backed by strong partnerships and collaborations.
At the heart of thriving Main Streets are vibrant public spaces that unite people of all ages and backgrounds and enrich community life. And what better way to activate public spaces than through the power of free, live music?
Middlesboro, Kentucky © Levitt Foundation
Learn how Main Streets can tap into federal resources to improve transportation infrastructure, take down barriers, and improve access to key services.
Main Street America is proud to announce the release of a new resource to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
This Boston Main Street installed an innovative street mural to highlight crosswalks and improve pedestrian safety.
These seven Main Streets have implemented innovative, exciting, and fun programs to help welcome dogs to their downtowns.
MSA President and CEO Erin Barnes explores how a holiday market in a public park brought a new focus on growing humanitarian needs in downtown city centers.
The RAISE program funds surface transportation projects with local and regional impact by enhancing safety, mobility, sustainability, and economic growth.
Streetscape improvements can make a big difference for Main Streets. © Grant Harper
Learn how Main Street America's work with the DOT's Thriving Communities Program is supporting transformative efforts with community partners like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Apply for federal funding to remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation infrastructure that creates barriers to community connectivity.
Art is a powerful tool for community change. Learn how the arts can improve community engagement, boost economic development, and connect with the Main Street Approach.
Streets play an important role in our downtown districts. Learn more about Main Street America's recent work with the Department of Transportation to promote vibrant and sustainable downtown roadways.
Learn how the Safe Streets and Roads for All program is providing grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Streetscape in Denison, Texas. © Mel Climer — Climer Design
REV Birmingham and Woodlawn United share how they work to reenergize spaces and places in Birmingham, Alabama, through civic infrastructure projects in the city’s historic commercial corridors.
Learn how this Louisiana town has used an accessibility-first approach to build a welcoming and inclusive community.
Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
Learn how the Little Five Points neighborhood of Atlanta uses this unique mural program to celebrate Valentine's Day and raise important funding for their work.
Learn how micromobility can increase access, equity, and inclusion in your Main Street with examples from local programs across the network.
This Washington Main Street is encouraging people to brave the rainy weather with their free umbrella share program.
Parking is a challenging problem for many Main Streets. We explored the arguments for and against free parking, and a method for conducting an inventory of parking in your downtown.
Miami, FL © Matt Alaniz
Learn how Bainbridge Island Downtown Association leverages their connection to the ferry to create a walkable and vibrant downtown.
Bainbridge Island, WA © Anna Carson
An innovative artistic project brings new life to the alleyways in Billings, Montana.
Billings, MT © Downtown Billings Alliance
In big cities and small towns, people face increasing danger when navigating communities on foot. As advocates for connected and walkable downtowns, Main Streets have a crucial role to play in increasing pedestrian safety.
Lansing, Michigan © Lansing 5:01
Learn how you can participate in the Thriving Communities program as a capacity builder or how you can receive support from the program.
To celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month, we explored three innovative and interesting parks-based projects and collaborations in Main Street communities.
Waterloo, Iowa, shares advice and lessons learned from their e-scooter program.
Learn how you can harness design principles and strategies to create a cooler, more welcoming downtown.
Main Street America was awarded $5.9 million to support 20 communities in the Main Streets Community of Practice through the Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Program over the next two years.
The City of Leeds, AL welcomed a new downtown mural over the holidays that has brought a sense of excitement and anticipation for the continuing efforts to focus on the Leeds downtown district.
Leeds, AL © Jeremy Dove
What is more Iowan than turning grain bins into public art? Learn how Main Street Coon Rapids created these beautiful murals to celebrate their downtown.
Coon Rapids, IA © Main Street Coon Rapids
Pollinator gardens are fantastic ways to increase green space, promote sustainability, and educate your community on the local environment.
Crofton, MD © Kerry Kelly
The AARP Community Challenge program gives out quick-action grants to activate public spaces. Meet some of the Main Streets awarded grants through the program this year.
Learn how these outdoor microspaces can contribute to more vibrancy in our public spaces.
Chairman Emeritus Ed McMahon explores the power of place in creating spaces people love.
Boise, ID © christiannafzger
To support Georgia Main Streets throughout the recovery process and position them for long-term sustainability, Main Street America launched the Georgia Main Street Innovation Grant Program, made possible through generous support from The Williams Family Foundation of Georgia.
Thomasville, GA © Thomasville Main Street
Intentional placemaking has had many unexpected benefits for this Alabama town.
Wetumpka, AL © Jenny Sue Stubbs
We heard from organizations across the nation about the incredible impact their markets have had on community engagement, entrepreneur and small business support, and keeping their district vibrant.
Mount Airy Downtown, Inc., celebrated the return of their Market Street Arts and Entertainment District (MSA & ED) last weekend, as part of their pandemic recovery efforts.
Mount Airy, NC © Robbie Curlee
A vacant storefront is the perfect stage to creatively promote the available space or to showcase other businesses and events in the area.
Ripon, WI © RetailWorks, Inc
Interested in creating a StoryWalk in your downtown commercial district? Read on to learn more about installing a successful story walking trail.
In remembrance and in honor of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., over 900 streets in the United States were named after him. Many are located predominantly in African American communities.
Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
Dubbed the Blues Alley, the Ripley Main Street program plans to install murals of local pioneering Black blues artists, cutout guitars painted by local art students, and blues lyrics painted on the walls.
Ripley, MS © Ripley Main Street
Wayfinding guides people to places they seek but it also brings awareness to places they may have otherwise missed.
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Main Street America partnered with OneMain Financial to create Made on Main Street.
Creating a historic or art walking tour is much more than simply a collection of pictures and descriptions.
Over 300 attendees enjoyed a family-friendly block party that celebrated the community and showcased Prosser's upcoming streetscape improvement project.
Cambridge was the first Main Street community in Maryland to install public chargers.
The Downtown Newton Development Association (North Carolina) partnered with the City of Newton on a temporary tactical urbanism project to demonstrate how their permanent streetscape improvements will benefit downtown.
Over 500 people braved the misty rain this past weekend to come and celebrate Painesville and its Made on Main Street community transformation project.
Wilson Artsy Alleys is an initiative of the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation which takes the arts to new locations in forgotten places.
In October 2017, Main Street Ottumwa collaborated with local partners, Main Street Iowa, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Better Block Foundation to stop planning, talking, and wishing, and start doing.
The Metuchen Downtown Alliance created a cool, family-friendly public gathering space in “the worst looking spot in town” with the help of just $2,500 in Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge matching grant funds,
A collaborative effort launched between Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) and vertical farming company, Plenty, looked to blank downtown walls as a canvas for growing food, creating conversation, and activating overlooked spaces.
From walkability and transportation connectivity, to access to nature and availability of fresh food, place is inextricably linked to achieving positive health outcomes in rural America.
Beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower fountain through Main Street Paris's new Love Lock Fence.
Kasey Drummond, Glenrock Main Street Director, explains how they brought the acclaimed graffiti artist ARCY to their Main Street and explores the work he produced in three additional Wyoming communities on his summer tour.
Karen Dye, Newkirk Main Street's program manager, was inspired to “make downtown more fun and festive” with painted water meter covers after learning about the practice at a recent Main Street Now conference.
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
In contrast, the Main Street Program in Laramie, Wyoming, is thriving, having successfully cultivated millions of dollars to help fill these vacant, blighted spaces with permanent structures.
In this article we’ll explore the process of planning, funding, installing, operating, and enjoying music on your Main Street.
In 2016, the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center partnered with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Department of Interior Architecture (UNCG) to provide design assistance to Main Street communities.
Placemaking is a strategy that Six Corners Association has enthusiastically applied to our community development efforts because of its seamless integration with the Main Street Approach.
How one Wyoming Main Street implemented a free bike share program.
In 2015, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partnered with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to engage Wisconsin Main Street organizations and farmers markets in the Metrics and Indicators for Impact – Farmers Markets (MIFI-FM) toolkit.
The local Main Street organization, Downtown Milford Inc., is trying to address these shifting demographics by creating a more inclusive sense of community.
This is the story of how a National Endowment for the Arts gathering in DC inspired the leaders of a small town in Appalachia to connect with those in Milwaukee to transform a neglected park.
Main Street communities across the country are no stranger to seeking creative strategies to solve their most nagging issues – vacant buildings, marketing downtown, bolstering retail to name a few.
This article is the second in a series on corridors and the important role they play in Main Street revitalization. The previous article focused on the historic origins of corridors, corridor types, and functions that they serve in our communities.
Façade appearance is a critical aspect of the overall aesthetic appeal and unique character of downtown.
While the Main Street program may not take the lead in corridor enhancements, it can be a vital partner and advocate for improvements in overall community appearance.
Street pole banners preserve the historic character of main streets while fostering community awareness and engagement.
With strong community support, the Library Foundation was able to raise over $1.2 million dollars in private donations.
A lot of signs are necessary to make a downtown work well, but not every community knows what a good sign system looks like, or how instrumental it can be to the creation of a successful downtown.
A key goal of the Atlanta Streetcar is to attract investment to and revitalize the neighborhoods along the streetcar alignment.
