Quick, what neighborhood do you live in?
Unless you live in the North End, Downtown or Rimmon Heights, you probably have no idea. That’s because for many — especially those of us who were not born in Manchester — neighborhood identity simply does not exist like it did back in the day, which we here at goodgoodmanchester think is a shame. But together, we can do something about it.
Back in 2007, the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department created an updated map of Manchester neighborhoods, but with the exception of Rimmon Heights, most of the new neighborhood names never really caught on.
So in what we’re hoping will be the first of many collaborative projects, we’re inviting you to help us create a new map identifying all of the city’s neighborhoods. Using this Google map, use the line tool to create your neighborhood’s boundaries. If your neighborhood already has a name, let us know it. If you don’t know, or if you don’t like the name, suggest a new one!
I live in the Hollow(historical). This area extends somewhere around Massabesic Street , west, toward the Valley Street Cemetery. A drainage issue plagues the cemetery during highwater as it drains much of the man- made topography.
It seems to me that the Rimmon Heights name caught on because it was publicized and embraced. Some have disagreed on the name itself, but its use in large, iron arches and banners hanging on posts throughout the neighborhood got people talking about it and using it.
I haven’t seen this happening in other parts of town…
I’m in the Somerville neighborhood and I think the name would stick if a group of people or an organization pushed for awareness/use among residents, businesses, and restaurant.
I live in the Hallsville neighborhood. I like this idea and hope it catches on. Having a neighborhood identity would create a stronger sense of community.
What? No Derryfield? C’mon… without Derryfield we wouldn’t have Manchester, right?
I live on Granite St, on the west side…i cant read your image above to see what its called…how do i find out? or do you want us to create our own names?? Cause people have done that…and “D-Block” is just trash! lol
Hi Taylor,
Yes, create your own name! Why should City planners and wannabe gang members have all the neighborhood naming fun?
I think this is a great idea. Manchester’s downtown has really taken off in the past 10-15 years, but it’s the neighborhoods where people live that really make a city great. I was born in Green Acres, I believe, and later lived in the North End.
I think this is great, and most of the neighborhood boundaries make a good deal of sense, but some of the names could use a little work (I’m looking at you, Straw/Smyth). Most of the neighborhoods seem at least based on a combination of historical areas as well as existing neighborhood centers where a few shops and businesses are located. In that way, most seem like they’ll pretty naturally develop as a neighborhood with a little help from the City in terms of investment, and just giving a place a name and definition will probably help people rally around the neighborhood like has happened in Rimmon Heights. Some on the outskirts, especially outside I-93, don’t seem to have the density or natural gathering areas to really develop a strong neighborhood identity, but most of the older neighborhoods do.
As far as Rimmon Heights and Notre-Dame goes, the line seems a bit odd. I think if I were drawing it, I’d put the line along the ridge line (visible as forest in satellite view) with everything below there and below Lafayette Park/Notre Dame Ave in the Notre-Dame neighborhood.
I also just wanted to comment on the Hollow, which JPMartel brought up. My grandmother grew up in Hallsville, and I first heard the name, “The Hollow,” from her several years ago when she was talking about going to movies at the Empire. I believe I saw somewhere (possibly the City’s 2009 Master Plan) that the Hollow is envisioned as the neighborhood center of Hallsville. The Hollow is one of the most interesting areas of the city center with its deviation from the grid and collection of beautiful, old buildings. It’s too bad the old firehouse is gone, but he old bakery building, hardware store, Odd Fellows hall, and several other buildings there are great. With some investment similar to Rimmon Heights, that area could really take off.
I think Piscataquog really should be Granite Square. It shoudl include Sullivan to West Hancock and from the river to the cliffs. Piscataquog is way to hard to spell never mind catch on. As part of the founding member of the Rimmon Heights Group I have been trying to identify Manchester’s West Side Neighborhoods as well as unite them all as the West Side. I woudl like to see a Nce BIG sign on the 293 bridge going over Granite stret that says “Welcome to Manchester’s West Side. That enterance is a major avanue to the west side from down town and the Arena and ball park. If only we coudl fix the ligths on Granite Street so it didn’t take so long to get from Elm to the west side.
I think the neighborhood names are great–they make areas of the city easier to identify, are more endearing than referencing a street, and have the potential to strengthen the sense of community and place throughout the city. Obviously, the names have to be liked and embraced by the residents, businesses and organizations in each neighborhood, and there needs to be work and investment to support and build on the identity by residents, organizations, businesses and the City for the titles to be more than a name. The names are a great start though.
I’ve drawn up a map of the neighborhoods according to the map here and in the City’s 2009 Master Plan. The map is part of a website I’m building, LivableMHT, dedicated to promoting and envisioning greater livability and stronger urban development patterns in Manchester. I hope the website will garner input and contributions from other native Mancunians, residents, workers and anyone else interested in seeing Manchester continue to grow and improve as a vibrant, urban community. Please take a look: http://livablemht.org/ and offer your thoughts.