The Farmers Market Should Move to Klyde Warren Park

bcmoseley

Move your office to the Farmer's Market. Keep the farmers there.

FMResident

The Dallas Farmers Market has the potential to be GREAT at its current location - Downtown. With lots of space and expansion for outdoor concerts, local farmers, green space, living space, etc. At the same time revitalizing and improving conditions for that entire section of downtown. Supporting South Side, Omni, Convention Center, Etc. Talk about narrow thinking that everything has to be in one place. Why not support community, stakeholders and neighbors efforts who have been working hard to revitalize and improve conditions in this area to make Dallas a more walkable city? Transportation, Biking and Walking to Klyde Warren, West End and the Dallas Farmers Market. I know it is tough for DO, but try to see "big picture". Think back a couple years, without big picture thinking, there certainly wouldnt have been a Klyde Warren Park to even compare.

scott.reitz moderator editor

@FMResident I don't think its narrow minded to suggest that two outdoor activities would work well together. Park-going and produce shopping are best friends in my book. Together, they make for a great Saturday morning.

I'm not suggesting a permanent market be built for this. A simple pop-up market, say, like the ones in cities everywhere else in the country, would be great. Maybe Saturdays and Wednesdays?

If the Dallas Farmers Market completes its revitalization and the venders want to go back, super. But for now Downtown Dallas deserves a more vibrant market. KWP could provide a great backdrop for that.

FMResident

@scott.reitz @FMResident your article specifically recommends moving the DFM to Klyde Warren Park. It does not mention anything about pop-ups, but suggests shutting down the local component of the market and moving local farmers somewhere else.

"The real farmers need to be celebrated on their own. They should pack up their tables and move to the park."

The DFM management overhaul includes sustainable living with a focus on local producers and revitalizing the entire neighborhood, including the farmers market. Please cheerlead for this community progress, don't blow it up, kick it down or stall these efforts. After all, wouldnt it be cool to have places throughout downtown we can actually walk, ride our bike and spend the day safely exploring with our neighbors?

downtownworker

Dallas Observer: How about moving your headquarters to Downtown?

Vndallas

I've said for years, the Farmers Market should move...to West End. It's on the light rail, infrastructure and buildings already there, people know where it is, and it's closer to more "action". A move to West End would revitilize the market and the West End. They both need it.

kergo1spaceship

2 Like

Here is a novel concept........use the current farmers market site-BRILLIANT! Make some renovations; maybe spend some money? Instead of building a bridge, work on real infrastructure?!

ps-I worked down at the F'M in the early 90's, and man O' man, I've seen rats the size of Buicks.

kergo1spaceship

Scott,

Are you insane? Why would you put a nasty farmers market in a pristine park........are you trying to set us back 30 years?

G_David

Great idea, but are there even enough "local" vendors to make it worthwhile? That's almost always an extremely lonely section of the market.

Timothy Weir

I was skeptical at first glance, but a few local vendors wouldn't be so bad.

Erins_Voice moderator communitymanager

@Timothy Weir Do you agree with the suggested Klyde Warren Park, or would you rather see it at a different spot?

kergo1spaceship

3 Like

@Erins_Voice

Who are you? And why are you just "gently" asking nice questions? It's great that you are trying to MOVE the conversation and all, but, what is your goal? Do YOU have an opinion? Is this a corporate directive, like that time they made Eric N. write a story about a car in a high school parking lot?

Sharon_Moreanus

1 Like

@Erins_Voice http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2012/09/there_was_an_ultra-rare_lambor.php

kergo1spaceship

@Erins_Voice

Ok, I feel strangely calm, and at peace now-SALUTE EV.

kergo1spaceship

@Erins_Voice @kergo1spaceship @voiceplaces @erins_voice

oh, OK.......wow, you handled that professionally and with a demeanor that has made me clam-salute'!

ScottsMerkin topcommenter

2 Like

@Erins_Voice @kergo1spaceship @voiceplaces We love Kergo, kergo loves this blog and we really had no clue who you were even tagged as a moderator. Did mr tone give you a proper introduction, because if he did, we missed the article and ensuing crotch kicks that come with a new introduction

Erins_Voice moderator communitymanager

@kergo1spaceship I'm the Community Manager for Voice Media Group. So you're right, my goal is to move conversations - especially ones about local restaurants, galleries, venues, parks, you name it. Another one of my goals is letting people who frequently comment on our blogs know about our directory, @voiceplaces. Whenever the Observer writes about a place, any place, it's linked to that directory. Unfortunately I haven't heard about the parking lot story you mentioned. But, that's who I am and what I do! Any more questions, feel free to tweet me at @erins_voice.

MikeDunlap

4 Like

Just get the cars out of the Farmers Market and it can be a great place where it is. SUVs in a farmers market is one of the most Dallas things ever.

xmantx

1 Like

Perhaps a small local, organic market on Saturdays would make sense. But no, not the entire market, that would be dumb.

scott.reitz moderator editor

@xmantx "I'm not talking about the entire market, but just the smaller vendors who actually represent local farms."

downtownworker

2 Like

No, the Farmers Market is fine where it is, but let temporary vendors set up on closed sections of Pearl Street or Harwood and keep the park itself for recreational use.

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

@downtownworker You gave me like, but I disagree on the Farmer's Market. It's too far off the beaten path. Downtown must begin to think "density". Lots to do crowded into the center, Manhattan-like.

downtownworker

Got it. I thought your first post was sarcastic.

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

@downtownworker Oh, honey, Myrna is never sarcastic.

Mark Conner

1 Like

I take it you have seen the Truck Fleet that they use to bring their goods to market?

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

2 Like

YES! That is a fabbo idea. Deck Park needs more activity than a bunch of yuppies having lunch al fresco, and a bunch of nasty ass dog owners that have already laid claim to it as another Dog Park and who refuse to clean up the shit. How about a flea market, a clothesline art exhibit, food fairs, flower shows, etc.?