Epitome of Duluth

Epitomes are described by Grady Clay (1973) as "special places in cities [that] carry huge layers of symbols that have the capacity to pack up emotions, energy, or history into a small space." The area that shows the greatest degrees of emotion, energy, and history in Duluth is Canal Park. Canal Park epitomizes Duluth for me in two separate ways. One is how it portrays Duluth to others as it first did to me, and the other is how it supports my active life now that I live here. It is a great insight to the city with its deep history, growing tourism, and connection to outdoor activities.

The beginning point of Canal Park is the Ariel Lift Bridge. It can be seen for miles, and is a great sight when first seen coming down the hill into Duluth. It is a giant landmark that helps serve as a guide to the area. Originally built in 1905, it adds great history and emotion to Canal Park along with other nationally historic sites there.

Canal Park was a warehouse district that died out and shifted towards tourism. A clock tower now serves as an entry point. Canal Park became Duluth's Identity-Maker. It became the starting point of Duluth's rich history and tourism, with a maritime museum, renovated historic buildings, and a close-up view of the shipping industry still present.

To create a bigger Identity, events were started that became widely known in the community and outside of the city. Big events like Grandma's Marathon and the Bayfront Blues Festival drew in more tourism. Grandma's Marathon is ideal for both gemeinschaft and gesellschaft. A close community putting on a nationally, even globally, known race. I've had many friends race who I have cheered for, but couldn't tell you who the winners were.

The Lift Bridge serves as a restrictive Venturi, controlling both automotive and pedestrian traffic into Minnesota/Park Point. It can also be seen as a break, separating a tourist center from an island neighborhood. I cross into Park Point for many summer events and notice a lot of gemeinschaft within my activities and in the community on the island.

Another break is created at the Minnesota slip, separating the historically rich central Canal Park from the relatively new DECC facility, the Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Bayfront Festival Park. Mobility at the break was created when a pedestrian bridge was installed.

An older photo better shows the break that exists when downtown's Lake Ave becomes Canal Park Dr. The road has a slight change in direction at both ends of Canal Park Dr. I-35 creates mobility at this junction, giving tourists immediate access to Canal Park. Grady Clay leaves us with a deep quote; "Thus when we find an epitome district we should treasure it, return
whenever possible, and deliberately use it as a special indicator, not
only of changes in the scene, but of changes in ourselves." Understanding this, I have noticed how I interact differently in Canal Park since moving here.