Public Square joined the digital world today, offering free WiFi to all visitors. The spot was lively with smartphone users this morning, yet many were surprised they could experience the wonders of the internet for free.
Dimitrius Oliver, 47, was one of the crowd unaware of the free service this morning. Once he connected to the new system, however, he sang its praises.
“The connection took less than 15 seconds,” Oliver says, testing the new WiFi visiting YouTube, Yahoo! and Facebook. The connection only grew faster, arriving at YouTube in less than three seconds, and darting to Yahoo! in less than one.
On the other side of the park, Chatham Ewing, 52, had similar success connecting to the internet. A Digital Library Strategist for the Cleveland Public Library, Ewing is no stranger to WiFi. His only criticism of the new service is the timing.
“It would’ve been great if they got it at the beginning of summer because it’s getting cold, but any free WiFi is good WiFi,” Ewing says.
The web-addicted have local internet service provider Everstream to thank for the park’s free WiFi.
It’s easy to connect to the service on your phone. First find the network, “!PublicSquare-FreeWifi,” hit connect, and spread the word to your fellow park-goers.
Last week, the American Planning Association selected Public Square as one of America’s five “Great Public Spaces” and among the Top 15 “Great Places” in the country. Free WiFi makes it an even better, more connected public space.
This article appears in Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2018.
Finally! I’m so glad this “feature” will help attract the maximum number of homeless and “bored, unemployed individuals” to public square where police are forbade from controlling them!
hi steve!
please describe your experiences with these uncontrollable individuals and cite news reports, police blotter items, etc as evidence.
you will be graded on the quality of your sources, as well as spelling, grammar, and overall defense of your thesis. best of luck!