Members of the community, city leaders and Ball State students gathered Wednesday night to hear ways they can make Muncie a better place to live.
Peter Kageyama, author of "For the Love of Cities" and "Love Where You Live," has traveled to numerous cities over the years discussing ways citizens can improve their quality of living. His most recent stop was Muncie.
Kageyama has been visiting since Monday and said he was able to explore the city and notice potential opportunities, such as adding murals to different buildings throughout the city.
“Maybe one of the things we ought to be thinking about is, 'How do we figure out more ways to allow our fellow citizens to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty?'” Kageyama said.
The author discussed how communities "often don’t ask ourselves how we can make things fun," whether it be a project for the city or a project for work.
“Building a great city has to be safe, comfortable, convivial and fun,” Kageyama said.
The event gave one Muncie resident a few ideas on how she can create more public art in the community.
“I like the idea of surprise art where you wouldn’t expect it, but places where people often go,” Tracy Whelan said. “I love Muncie. I think it has a ton of potential. I think it has a lot of creative things that have already been done.”
For Muncie resident Steve Robert, Kageyama's discussion was an opportunity for him to get involved. Robert said he enjoys being a part of the Muncie community and likes when people get together to discuss ways to make it better.
“Whenever people are gathering in a group to try to think about or talk about or do something about making a place better, I think it’s a good thing,” Robert said. “I want to be a part of that.”
Robert also has a message for those in the Muncie community.
“Do something about it. I think you can buy a box of sidewalk chalk at Walmart for $2. Do something,” Robert said.
Everyone in attendance was handed a love note that asked what they are inspired to do in the next two months and how they want to get involved in Muncie.
In two months, the card will be mailed back to them.
Love Where You Live was sponsored by the City of Muncie, Muncie Action Plan, Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance, Muncie Public Library, Shafer Leadership Academy, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Building Better Neighborhoods, Woof Boom Radio (WERK, WLBC, Muncie Journal), and Ball State’s Office of Community Engagement.
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