I’m a City Planner in the Chicago area. After twenty years in the public sector, I now work for a consulting firm providing long-term comprehensive planning services for communities around the country and day-to-day planning for smaller towns and villages. Winter is often the time when programming in parks and community spaces slows down and people stay inside to wait out the cold months. It’s my vision to help make winter a time to bring communities together with targeted programming and events. Low-cost initiatives can leverage existing infrastructure and facilities, involve the local business community and other organizations, and create special celebrations and special places throughout the winter months.