You can enter the contest here, or pick up forms at the Warren Town Hall. If you’d like to volunteer, you can do so by submitting your information to us here. Of course, you’re also welcome to volunteer un-officially: pick up litter, do a little guerrilla gardening, or help an elderly or disabled neighbor out with their projects.

What does “shipshape” mean?

Shipshape is a nautical term that we use today to mean “tidy,” everything in it’s place. That doesn’t mean boring! For the purposes of the Shipshape Challenge, “shipshape” can mean: clean, colorful, eco-friendly, safe, aesthetically pleasing, mindful of neighbors, and unique! It also means respecting Warren’s history, encouraging growth, making places friendly to kids, pets, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and getting creative. The natural limitations of space and resources create fun challenges. “Do-it-Yourself” (or DIY) projects are encouraged, but if you need help, you’ll be able to visit our resources page for local businesses that can offer advice, tools, and manpower (this page is still under construction!). In addition, George Hail Public library is currently gathering books and resources for a “Shipshape Challenge” display you can refer to for help.

Local painter Davison Bolster touches up a historic building on Water Street. Photo credit LJ Henley.

A big thanks is owed to everyone at the town hall for their support of our idea. Town Planner Caroline Wells, Town Manager Tom Gordon, and all the staff have been so helpful in getting this off the ground.

Of course, we also owe a huge debt to the Warren Economic Development Board (see their banner on the left). Their energy and enthusiasm for these kinds of projects is invaluable, and they were our sounding board when the project still didn’t even have a name.

In the weeks to come, we’ll be working with Councilman Dave Frerich (among other local leaders) on coming up with set of criteria for the Challenge judging. Exciting stuff.

Stay tuned…

The Town of Dingle, Ireland, has a small, dense village and working waterfront (just like Warren), and is always a front runner in the Tidy Towns competition!

With Ireland’s blessing, we took their idea and implemented it on a micro-level here in Warren–instead of town vs. town, The Shipshape Challenge is property owner (or volunteer, or local merchant) against one another. We try to keep the competition fierce, but friendly! One day, we envision the Challenge operating on the level of Ireland’s Tidy Towns, spreading beyond our small town to include other Rhode Island towns (or even all of New England).

The Challenge is run by Patrick DeSocio of Preppy Pig BBQ and Kate Dickson of The Wooden Midshipman, two small, independently owned businesses located in the historic waterfront district. Patrick grew up in Warren, and in the spring of 2012 moved his catering business back to the historic waterfront village; Kate is a newcomer who moved to Water Street to open her book and gift shop in 2010. Together with the Town of Warren staff and Town Council, volunteers from the merchants group Discover Warren, and lots of local businesses and organizations, The Shipshape Challenge was born.

We hope you’ll join us.

The Town Wharf, photo credit Angel Tucker (www.angeltucker.com).

The Shipshape Challenge launches July 2012 and will run until the date of the Warren Walkabout, October 21st, 2012. That gives property owners, business owners, and volunteers just under 4 months to complete projects to get their properties “shipshape.” If you’re already working on a project–painting your house, restoring windows, digging a garden–you can still enter! The only requirement is the the project be finished in time for the judging on October 21st.

You can enter the contest here, or pick up forms at the Warren Town Hall. If you’d like to volunteer, you can do so by submitting your information to us here. Of course, you’re also welcome to volunteer un-officially: pick up litter, do a little guerrilla gardening, or help an elderly or disabled neighbor out with their projects.

What does “shipshape” mean?

Shipshape is a nautical term that we use today to mean “tidy,” everything in it’s place. That doesn’t mean boring! For the purposes of the Shipshape Challenge, “shipshape” can mean: clean, colorful, eco-friendly, safe, aesthetically pleasing, mindful of neighbors, and unique! It also means respecting Warren’s history, encouraging growth, making places friendly to kids, pets, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and getting creative. The natural limitations of space and resources create fun challenges. “Do-it-Yourself” (or DIY) projects are encouraged, but if you need help, you’ll be able to visit our resources page for local businesses that can offer advice, tools, and manpower (this page is still under construction!). In addition, George Hail Public library is currently gathering books and resources for a “Shipshape Challenge” display you can refer to for help.

We’re still lining up our sponsors and partnering organizations for The Shipshape Challenge 2012. Would your business like to help us get the project off the ground? E-mail us at shipshapechallenge@gmail.com for more information.