The City of Maple Valley held an interactive community workshop on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. At the workshop, attendees brainstormed ideas on how they can help cultivate an environment of love and kindness in their city. The workshop was facilitated by the author of the books “For the Love of Cities” and “Love Where You Live,” Peter Kageyama and artist Michelle Royal. Participants included: elected and appointed city officials, leaders of the local faith community, members of the Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market, Elk Run Farm volunteers, local business owners, and residents.
Attendees were identified as co-creators of their community and encouraged to create “love notes” to Maple Valley. These expressions of love included Maple Valley inspired t-shirt designs and mini-projects. Two of the projects created by workshop participants, “Luminarias of the Lake” and “Cedar River Trail Tunnel Painting” were each awarded $500 grants to bring their ideas to fruition.
“It was an inspirational time, and no doubt it will generate bringing other creative ideas to fruition as well,” said one long-time community member after the workshop.
The workshop was hosted by the city in an effort to encourage residents, community partners, and volunteers to make an emotional investment in the place where they live, work, and play.
