Earlier this summer, Canalside added a beer kiosk to its list of amenities. The kiosk is situated in close proximity to Clinton’s Dish eatery. The two share a courtyard, where visitors can sit, eat, drink and relax. Essentially, it’s a small beer garden that boasts a few tap handles dedicated to Ithaca, Great Lakes, Brooklyn, Community Beer Works, Labatt and Flying Bison breweries.
Yesterday I found Eric Cobello manning the station, who told me that the addition of the kiosk has been very popular with visitors to the Inner Harbor. As I stood talking to him I couldn’t help but inquire about the faux Custom Turf lawn that had been installed. Apparently the lawns at the site have not held up very well, and highly trafficked areas (such as the one seen here), are getting the fake, durable treatment. It’s an interesting concept that I have never seen in such an outdoor public environment. It almost feels as if one should have some golf clubs handy.
I’m still not exactly sure what to think of this new perma-green addition at the Inner Harbor. I completely get the importance of having an attractive, green, maintained lawn-looking appearance. I wonder how many people actually take the time to notice what it is that they are walking on top of anyways? And if it’s comfortable to stand on, and the only other immediate option is dirt and mud cover, then maybe it’s a sensible, simple, quick and cheap solution. The only reason that I say “cheap” is that there is a lawn sign that advertises the company that makes the product (Custom Turf), so it’s probably a mutually beneficial arrangement.