Winter/Solon Springs First Impressions

First Impressions Program Initially developed in 1991 by Professor Andy Lewis and James Schneider. Initially developed in 1991 by Professor Andy Lewis and James Schneider. Involves a team of 3 to 5 members of each committee making a visit and recording observations and “first impressions” of the community Involves a team of 3 to 5 members of each committee making a visit and recording observations and “first impressions” of the community Is used as a starting point for discussions, strategy development and local action. Is used as a starting point for discussions, strategy development and local action.

First Impressions Categories The Five Minute Impression The Five Minute Impression Community Entrances Community Entrances Housing and Residential Areas Housing and Residential Areas Education, Health, Social and Emergency Services Education, Health, Social and Emergency Services Local Economy Local Economy Other Retail Shopping Areas Other Retail Shopping Areas Government/Public Services Government/Public Services Recreation, Faith, Culture and Heritage Recreation, Faith, Culture and Heritage General Observations General Observations Information for Community Residents Information for Community Residents Wrap-Up Wrap-Up

First Impressions Teams Solon Springs Solon Springs James Cosgrove James Cosgrove Meg Thoreson Meg Thoreson Andrew Lisak Andrew Lisak Cathy Forrest Cathy Forrest Winter Winter Ron Petit Ron Petit Sarah Dearhamer Sarah Dearhamer Geary Searfoss Geary Searfoss Donna Tveten Donna Tveten Vince Mussehl Vince Mussehl

First Impressions What do you think were some of the significant assets identified by the Solon Springs Team? What do you think were some opportunities for community improvement?

The businesses seemed to be thriving. The village buildings, Fire Hall and Maintenance Building, were neat and maintained. The visitors noticed many churches.

First Presbyterian

The visitors thought the Community Gardens was a neat concept and wondered if it is working well.

“The community has a shuttle bus to Hayward, nice and accommodating”

The school district is large. The attractive school appeared to be one facility for all age levels.

The visitor’s found two boat landings, The first landing was found to be useable, but was not neat and the dock was unsteady.

The second boat landing was at Price Dam. This was a cleaner area that included a stable dock, easier landing grade and a can for refuse

Notable Quotes Winter has far more businesses than I expected Winter has far more businesses than I expected I expected nothing and was pleasantly surprised to find so much in a small town of 344 residents. I expected nothing and was pleasantly surprised to find so much in a small town of 344 residents. The properties were clean, but housing on the most part seemed to be older homes in need of repair. Several homes were seen with partial or no siding. The properties were clean, but housing on the most part seemed to be older homes in need of repair. Several homes were seen with partial or no siding.

Notable Quotes The community is clean. Most businesses had customers during the visit. There were not an unusual amount of empty store fronts found. The community is clean. Most businesses had customers during the visit. There were not an unusual amount of empty store fronts found. The “Welcome to Winter” sign was very noticeable and appealing. The “Welcome to Winter” sign was very noticeable and appealing. The trail to Lake Winter and Tuscobia Trail are two sights that could develop into a tourist attraction. The trail to Lake Winter and Tuscobia Trail are two sights that could develop into a tourist attraction.

Positive Things About Winter School School Friendly People Friendly People Natural Resources – Tuscobia Trail, Lake Winter, Ojibwa Park, Natural Resources – Tuscobia Trail, Lake Winter, Ojibwa Park, Business Activity – Grocery and Hardware Store, Greenhouse, Bar and Café Business Activity – Grocery and Hardware Store, Greenhouse, Bar and Café Services – Bus Route, Senior Center, Community Garden, Information Center Services – Bus Route, Senior Center, Community Garden, Information Center

Opportunities for Improvement Signage Signage Downtown Improvement – Vacant Spaces, Compatible Look, Facilities Upgrades Downtown Improvement – Vacant Spaces, Compatible Look, Facilities Upgrades Use of Assets – Lake, Tuscobia Trail, Ojibwa Park (Link to downtown/festivals) Use of Assets – Lake, Tuscobia Trail, Ojibwa Park (Link to downtown/festivals) What did the Winter Team learn from Solon Springs? What did the Winter Team learn from Solon Springs?

Future Plans and Strategies ?????????????????????? ??????????????????????