Activating, and optimizing our pedestrian areas.
Existing Pedestrian-Only Spaces Become New Destinations
Our Ventura Promenade is already a place enjoy the sun, workout, stroll, surf, and chill at the beach—but it needs some love. Long-term goals include beautifying the Promenade, adding calisthenics equipment as well as commerce + experiences our locals will enjoy. LEARN MORE
Ventura Promenade
Instead of trying to turn Main Street into a park/playground with Main Street Moves, let’s activate our two existing (also massive) parks downtown to bring family, friends, and community together. There are so many possibilities—keep scrolling to see our ideas…
Mission + Plaza Park
It’s time to bring our historical and cultural areas to life. From Figueroa Plaza to China Alley, revitalizing these abandoned pedestrian areas sparks curiosity about our history as well as opportunities for annual cultural events. LEARN MORE
Cultural Spaces
Low-Cost Park Activations
Goal: Turn our downtown parks into community destinations.
Strategy: Look to big city parks like those in Chicago and New York, and use those same tactics to activate our downtown parks for community participation.
BOCCE BALL COURTS We provide the courts; visitors bring the balls.
PERMANENT CHESS TABLES A natural gathering place for chess, coffee, and casual tournaments.
VOLLEYBALL COURT A popular, active draw for young people.
GROUP WELLNESS AREAS Small park spaces for local yoga, tai chi, or wellness classes.
LOW COST PROGRAMMING The city can host chess, bocce ball, and volleyball tournaments, or sublease group wellness areas.
ROSE GARDENS + SPECIALIZED GARDENS Create visual destination for strolling, relaxing, and photos.
STRING LIGHTS + MOOD ENHANCEMENTS Cozy park pockets for romantic dates, coffee strolls, ice cream hangs, and evening walks.
KIDS ZONES Variety of kid-friendly activities from forts to chalk drawing.
Long-Term Projects: Imagine our own intimate amphitheater bowl in Mission or Plaza Park. But first we need city revenue.
What if we told you there’s a way to generate revenue right in our pedestrian areas? Keep scrolling…
Monetize Our Pedestrian Areas
Meet the Downtown Ventura Kiosk—easily recognizable, and designed to generate revenue specifically in community spaces like our parks.
Strategic Kiosk Placement: Place in "Non-Commercial Zones" (like the parks) where currently there is zero economic activity. This generates new tax revenue and license fees for the city without pulling customers away from established Main Street small businesses.
Controlling "Unregulated" Competition: The current Main Street closure has invited unregulated street vendors who compete directly with rent-paying businesses downtown. Instead, these official, city-regulated park kiosks provide services that don’t compete with Main Street.
"Hanging Out" vs. "Shopping": If we continue to use the 5-block closure to encourage people to treat the street like a park, they are less likely to enter a store and buy something. We put "hanging out" back in community areas like our parks, and leave the streets for brick and mortar commerce and accessibility.
Keep scrolling to see our Downtown Ventura Kiosk ideas…
Kiosk Ideas
Bodega Kiosk Cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, sunscreen, and basics.
Popcicles & Ice Cream Classic park treats for kids, families, and visitors.
Coffee All-Day Coffee, iced drinks, and grab-and-go pastries.
Game Kiosk Rent bocce balls, chess pieces, and lawn games.
Kites + Frisbees Simple outdoor fun that encourages movement and play.
Portable Wellness Cafe Juices, protein snacks, and healthy grab-and-go options.
Kids Kiosk Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, jump ropes, and more fun.
Ready to activate our parks with us? Click below to learn more about our downtown cultural activation ideas.