Want to create a great attraction for your park this summer with picnic tables?
One city came up with an idea to liven up their surroundings by using wooden picnic tables as canvases for local artists to display their talents.
What a fantastic (and simple) strategy to bring people to a park or promotion!
And what a clever way to generate revenue for your park (The city will auction off these tables at the end of the summer).
These artistic picnic tables are part of the Summer in Paradise celebration organized by the City of West Palm Beach in Florida.
The organizers decided to make the theme for the event - Aesop's Tables, centered around the Aesop's Fables books that have thrilled readers for years around the globe. Some of the familiar stories are "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" and the "Tortoise and the Hare." (You can see all the painted picnic tables here.)
Local artists painted a total of 25 tables. They were gathered as part of the city's Art in Public Places program.
According to the city's website: "Just as Aesop's Fables have reached across centuries, continents and cultures, Aesop's Tables will bring together a diverse community for light-hearted lessons, laughter and conversation on the beautiful West Palm Beach waterfront."
"Enjoy the art, have a cup of coffee, share a meal and even make new friends!" the organizers declared.
The concept behind the picnic tables is to create a place where the public can gather downtown to relax, eat, play games and mingle. Bring your own game or the information center nearby will supply one.
Hosts are also appointed to encourage people to mingle and get to know one another.
The Summer in Paradise is the city's strategy for attracting people to the downtown area from June to August. They also held a Winter in Paradise celebration that featured a gigantic Christmas Tree made with tons of sand and brightly decorated with lights.
For the summer, at the downtown waterfront area at the end of Clematis Street, the city will feature live bands, storytelling, big screen outdoor movies, games and many other activities. All for free.
Some of the unique activities include a gigantic foosball table where humans take the place of wooden figurines and kick the ball to goals at both ends of the field. There is also a Glow FORE mini-golf course that can be played in the dark.
After a summer of use, the city will auction off the tables on Aug. 31 as part of the Summer in Paradise Grand Finale.
All it takes to create your own artistic attraction is a bunch of wooden picnic tables, some paint brushes, paint and a group of local artists.
What artist wouldn't want to display their creativity on this giant canvas? And talk about an audience, thousands of local residents will flock all summer long to the downtown area to participate in the activities and dine on those picnic tables.
Tips for purchasing wood picnic tables
Wood picnic tables today come in an amazing variety of sizes and styles. In fact, Amish picnic tables are still a big hit with the public and available as commercial site furnishings.
First of all, it's definitely smart to buy pressure-treated wood picnic tables. Otherwise, the wood fibers will eventually deteriorate. Plus, damaged wood is a magnet for termites, mold and other insects.
Wood picnic tables can also be purchased with untreated planks and then stained later. Another option is to buy wood picnic tables with a redwood stain that contains a wood preservative.
Most wooden picnic tables come with a steel frame for support. These frames are usually galvanized metal or steel treated with a powder-coat finish to prevent rust and corrosion. Another popular option is a single metal pedestal base that allows for easier access for legs underneath the table.
Picnic tables range in size from 4-8 feet in length, but some can be purchased as long as 12-feet in size. Talk about a large canvas.
Wood picnic tables are also available in ADA versions to accommodate wheelchairs.
People love picnic tables. It gives them a place outside their home to enjoy a meal or just relax. The City of West Palm Beach found a clever use for their picnic tables. Their unique "art in the park on a picnic table" project is already a big hit with the public.