Lots of ideas from Key West could work here

Took a little getaway fact finding tour of Key West this past weekend and noticed lots of things there that we could and should be doing here. Simple things like these brightly colored adirondack chairs can make a big difference in livening up the Grove. We have the colorful info booths, chairs like this would be cool, too. This could be a nice artist project/contest.


While we have Paul's sunglasses kiosk and there is talk of adding more to the Mayfair Promenade, how about more around the Center Grove where the tourist can get a feel of being on vacation and being tropical? It would say something holiday-ish about the Grove to those who visit. We have all the new tour buses coming into town, let's look like a place for tourists.


While we have the sunrise (facing east) rather than the Sunset, we can have more of the Buskers, who did an excellent job over the 4th of July weekend. How about more? Weekly, monthly, maybe quarterly? There is talk of bringing them back for the Mad Hatter Festival in November, maybe for Commodore Plaza. Cirque du Grove should be a regular thing, too.


This old truck, reminding me of the The Waltons, was a cool attraction for selling drinks in Key West at the Sunset Celebration behind one of the high end hotels. It could be rolled out for various Grove festivals and events and if not used for drinks, perhaps souvenirs or other items that tourists would like.


Key West is really geared toward the tourist in everything they do, but what came first the tourists or the unique ideas? If we do it will it enhance the tourist's experience in the Grove? Will it bring more tourists?


Of course Key West has their ubiquitous roosters and we have our peacocks. And I saw so many street musicians when the sun went down all over Key West. I am guessing that they just come out and play for tips and are not regulated or compensated by the city. It would be great if we could get more street musicians here to just play all around town.


And of course the one thing we are sorely lacking is the Coconut Grove Playhouse, which really should come back in a big way to bring back the tourists and make the locals proud.