Stevenson hosting grand reveal for unique back-yard style hangout
Katie Hightower
This event was rescheduled due to weather. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m.
What started out as an annual teen project for the city of Stevenson, turned into a wholesome local hangout by the local public library. The Yard in downtown Stevenson was a labor of love put together by City Clerk Monica Davis and Library Director Christie Pierce.
What inspired the project was a picture hanging in Stevenson Public Library of Umbrella Alley in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The colorful umbrellas created an eye-catching photographic masterpiece that influenced Davis and Pierce’s decision to brighten up Main Street in a similar fashion.
Davis and Pierce knew the perfect place for the project: The Yard right next to the library on West Main Street in Stevenson. This summer, the library was selling snow cones. The Yard offered an area for people to mingle while enjoying their summer treats.
With a STEM grant, Davis and Pierce went to work. They came up with many cost-saving options to make the project they called, The Yard, a success. They found sustainable materials for the project with the local street department. Local citizens, Chasity Talley and Rachel Gonce, donated benches. Mayor Rickey Steele saw some ideas for benches made of cinder blocks and planks of wood. Davis and Pierce put them together and painted them.
Then games were brought in to the alley. They put a giant Connect Four game and a corn hole set in The Yard. Soon, passersby started playing the games and spending their time there.
“The library has giant checkers, giant Jenga, and giant Chutes and Ladders for checkout if anyone wants to play them in the Yard,” Pierce said.
On Wednesday, a safety fence was completed for The Yard to deter kids from running into traffic. Davis and Pierce wanted The Yard to be a cheery safe place anyone can enjoy.
“It’s important to bring people together. We turned a dark dreary alley in to a bright cheery place where people want to go. It’s already generated a lot of interest,” Pierce said.
Just the sight of the colorful umbrellas attracted a lot of people. Many people have come to make photographs and enjoy the scene.
“We know eventually the umbrellas will wear out,” Piece said. “When they do, we’ll replace them with something else that looks amazing. We’ll have something changing there all the time.”
“We’re proud to have something new to attract people and liven up Main Street. We’re excited to see Main Street growing and the positive direction it’s going,” Davis said.
The Yard will have its grand reveal of the STEM alley Thursday, Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m. There will be games, contests and refreshments available to all that attend.
Davis and Pierce thanked Mayor Rickey Steele for his help, Brian Miller and Tommy Allison for building the back wall, Andy Burnette for welding the fence and the Library Boys who helped him, the teens who helped with the vision and hard work, Terri Evans for going above and beyond and anyone else who helped. Davis and Pierce especially thanked their husbands for being supportive and helping them with everything.
The Stevenson Public Library is open on Mondays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Thursdays 12 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For more information about the Stevenson Public Library, follow on Facebook or call 256-437-3008.
