#15... Sloan Street Park

Why We Love It..

This little park in the Mill Village neighborhood is a perfect example of a pocket park.  It has a little field, a playground, a monument and a place to congregate.  It is not separated from everything else (i.e. houses) like our other larger parks.  In fact is is surrounded by houses on all sides (excluding a couple of empty lots).  Houses around it don't need big yards because the park is there.  It is private but accessible in a way that most other Roswell parks are not. 

What We Would Change..

Roswell needs more parks like this one in the middle of its neighborhoods.  I'd like to see an annual neighborhood gathering in the park to engage the residents of the neighborhood even more.  Anyone want to help us organize one?

#16... Go With The Flow

Why We Love It...

It symbolizes what Roswell's all about... successful small town retail in the heart of our historic district focused on an outdoorsy lifestyle. They've been around since 1983 which shows that the business is an anchor in the community.  It's much more than just paddling with lifestyle gear and actually they probably have some of the best Roswell themed t-shirts around.  

What We Would Change..

As we're getting higher and higher on our list, there are fewer and fewer things that we'd change.  I'd really like to see them start offering lessons though.  You can find people who give lessons in and around Roswell but I'd guess a partnership with GWTF would be a boon to anyone giving lessons.  I know that might not be in their business model but novice kayakers need a place to start and why not say you started at Go With the Flow?  Oh yeah, I'm not running the business and I'm sure they have their reasons but I'd suggest that they keep the shop open during Alive After Five events.  I'm sure the crowds would be a pain in the neck though.

#17... Barrington Hall

Why We Love It...

It is Historic Roswell.  Barrington hall was Roswell King's home and it's still the at the heart of our city's history.  It's in a fantastic location just off the square.  The building was built in the greek revival style and is a fantastic example of our architectural history.  There are great programs for guests to enjoy and the programming is regular which says this is a stable monument to our heritage that the city will continue to support.  

The grounds are beautiful and a walk through them brings you back to a different time (except for the constant sound of traffic from hwy 9).  The path up to the front door is one of my favorite features.  It's a fun place to go and we're lucky to have it in the center of our neighborhood.

What We Would Change...

Well, there are a few things but not really dealing with the house itself.  First, we'd tear down the upper wall on the terraced wall on the north and east sides of the property.  You just can't see the home from the most traveled streets especially during the summer months.  I'm sure a wall would be warranted for privacy purposes if someone actually lived there.  However, Barrington Hall is really a monument to the legacy of our city.  It should be visible.  

After we tear down that wall, we'd certainly make sure there were better sidewalks along the road to encourage people (not cars) to actually feel comfortable around the property.  These are coming soon but can't come soon enough in my opinion.

Finally, we'd find a way to use the periphery of the grounds better and in more of a park like manner.  Maybe a well designed playground on the edge of the grounds (not too close to the house, there's plenty of room on 7 acres).  I'd also be in favor of adding a true community garden somewhere on the grounds.  The only one we have in Roswell is out off Crossville Road at the Leita Thomas Memorial Park.  That's just too darn far to expect people to go to tend to their garden.

image: SmithsonianMag.com

#18... Roswell Provisions

Why We Love It..

The Canton Street section of Historic Roswell has needed a non-restaurant congregation spot for a while and Roswell Provisions has filled the void.  The store itself is charming and well thought out.  You can get a number of different items for your daily needs.  They have a small selection of locally grown organic veggies and fruits.  Their dairy selection is all local (albeit expensive) and they have a fantastic selection of sausage, cheese and wine.  They have cupcakes from Kelly Cakes and fresh artisan breads.  You can sit inside or outside and enjoy the ambiance of the heart of historic Canton Street.  

The owners took an old underused space in the historic district and turned it into one of the most trafficked shops.  It's obviously hit an underserved segment in our neighborhood.

What We Would Change..

Price..  The store is obviously catering to the upscale buyer but man, it's pricey.  You get what you pay for though.  Everything that I've seen there is high quality and tasteful.

#19... Our Wayfinding and Lights

Why We Love It...

Wayfinding systems are a critical element to any town or city that has frequent visitors, for obvious reasons.  The city has really added to the legitimacy of Historic Roswell as a regional destination by adding these signs.  It even adds a little fun to the experience for residents.  We all know where our landmarks are but the signs serve as a constant reminder that we live in a unique place.  

The lighting just adds to the charm.  The fact that the two complement eachother is a critical element to their design.  There are even wayfinding posts that are combined with a light post.  I'm sure you've seen them.  How efficient is that!  

The new information kiosks at that Square and Park on Canton Street are going to further add to the experience.  Six months ago on a trip to Seaside, I commented to my wife that Roswell needed to have kiosks and within weeks, they had magically appeared in Historic Roswell.  That was a truly welcome surprise.  Now, we just need to put something up on them as empty information kiosks don't add much value.

What We Would Change...

Not much.  The design matches the neighborhood well.  However, some of the signs don't have everything they should... as you can probably see in the first picture.  Only three of the four panels are being used.  However, if you continue up the road about 100 yards past the Bricks on the right, Sloan Street Park is on the right.  It might not be historic but it is a nice neighborhood amenity that is worthy of recognition by our wayfinding signs.  As mentioned above, we could also put a rush on getting something on the information kiosks.

#20... The Red Door Playhouse

Why We Love It...

This place is great.  It's locally owned and adds a lot of culture to the heart of our city.  It's also situated on the square which is so much better than being in a strip mall with a parking lot out front.  The experience wouldn't be the same.  The Red Door Playhouse engages kids in and gives them a way to enjoy the heart of our city in a way that most other neighborhoods in Atlanta can't.

We can't wait until our daughter is old enough to enroll in some of the activities.  It is kid focused with art and drama classes as well as a summer camp.  However, there are plenty of events for adults such as improv shows and lessons.  There is an annual poetry slam where poets perform their work.  So, there's no excuse not to check it out.  Here's a more thorough article form the Roswell Patch website that covers more on the programming.

What We Would Change...

This one's difficult but if there were one thing, we'd consider a more visible marquee that would engage the sidewalk and the traffic along Atlanta Street to advertise shows and events.  Other than that, there's not much to like about this place.

image: Red Door Playhouse

#21... The Primrose Cottage

Why We Love It...

The Primrose Cottage is another excellent example of adaptive reuse in our historic district.  We could probably fill up our list of 31 solely with historic homes or buildings that have been put to a different use than their original purpose.  However, that wouldn't be as much fun.

The Primrose Cottage is simply gorgeous.  The building really adds to the charm of the historic district.  Even if it is a private events facility.  The building doesn't come right up to the street but it has a fantastic front lawn that draws you to the building.  And really makes you think that you might be in a different time.  Contrary to the Smith Plantation, Primrose adds to the look and feel of the neighborhood by addressing the street.

What We Would Change...

Since it is almost exclusively an events space, it is rare that an average person who isn't invited to an event gets an opportunity to check it out.  I'd make it more accessible to the public by holding semi-annual or annual pubic events that allow Roswell to enjoy this fantastic piece of Roswell history.  Other than that, it's a great piece of Historic Roswell.

image: OccasionsOnline.com

#22... The Smith Plantation

Why We Love It..

The Smith Plantation is an excellent example of adaptive reuse.  It was built around 1845 and was an actual home until 1994.  The city bought the property in 1985 and allowed the final owner to live there until her death in 1994.  Tours began in 1992.  The conversion to a public asset helps preserve the history of our city for all and reminds everyone of a bygone time in this area.  It's really a beautiful example of a southern plantation house.

What We Don't Love..

There's not much not to like.  If we had to say anything, it would be that it's really difficult to see.  I guess you have to get out of your car or off the sidewalk but there really isn't any good way to get a glimpse of the front of the building without entering from the City Hall parking lot or from the sidewalk on Atlanta Street. 

#23... Oak Street

Why We Love It..  

Well, we didn't like it as much until just recently.  The streetscape improvements have really made a big difference in the appeal of the area.  We can't wait to see the area grow.  The new trimmings will help businesses by creating a more attractive environment for visitors.  We are fans of the unique businesses along the street and love the Oak Street Cafe.  The Teal Art Gallery just opened recently and Street Dance Studio was a good addition a little over a year ago.

The city has plans for this area to eventually be an arts village with arts centric businesses and residential buildings to help give life to the area.  We support this vision and think it would be a great way to bring additional life to the historic district.

What We Would Change..

Well, we'd obviously like to upgrade the entire street but that will come over time.  It would be nice to see something besides a parking lot at the western end of the street but hopefully that will be addressed sometime in the future as well. 

The biggest thing we would do is figure out a way to get the wires out of the air.  Our historic district is overrun with utility lines and poles that were poorly placed and ultimately contribute negatively to the overall quality of the environment.  There were some improvements along Oak Street but the cost kept the city from making the full improvements that were needed.

#24... Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Shop

Why We Love It...

Well, it's not Starbucks.  What it is, is a fantastic use of a historic building along South Atlanta Street that helps make the neighborhood a little cooler.  The Coffee Shop oozes charm and personality.  The staff is always great and there is atmosphere with live music on the weekends.  

Up until the opening of Roswell Provisions, there wasn't really a good, local option for Coffee in the historic district aside from LOATH.  

They also buy their coffee exclusively from growers in Rwanda and pay higher than fair trade prices for it.  You can learn more about those efforts at their website, www.drinkcoffeedogood.com. 

What We Would Change...

There's not much we would change about the coffee house itself or the business.  However, it is a little difficult to get to on foot and it's at the southern end of the historic district.  If I could do anything, I'd move the entire house to somewhere on the square.  But, since that's not possible, we'll keep it just the way it is.

image: DrinkCoffeeDoGoodRoswell.com