Policy Order O-9
Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has always prided itself for being on the forefront of innovation and technological advancement; and
WHEREAS: The Internet is a critical tool for effective learning and civic participation in today's world; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has assets and infrastructure at its disposal which could be readily and cost-effectively deployed to provide access to high speed internet in public parks to residents with Wi-Fi enabled devices such as iPads and Netbooks; and
WHEREAS: The availability of Wi-Fi in public parks could also benefit the community as a whole by promoting park usage and encouraging residents, if they are going to be stuck behind a computer screen, to at least get out and enjoy Cambridge's beautiful weather at the same time; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate departments to work towards providing free Wi-Fi in one or two of our city's parks on a trial basis, promoting its availability, and monitoring the impact on park usage as a result.