Promenade
The Promenade is a wide, multi-level commercial and service area at the center of starbases, often serving as the hub for said station's civilian activities.
Contents
Structure and functions
Layout
The Promenade on Deep Space 9 comprised a large multi-level public space, with broad circular walkways extending in a full 360 degree ring around the upper levels of the station's central core. The upper and lower levels of the Promenade housed shops and station facilities accessible from the public walkways, and the upper level also provided a stunning view of the Bajoran wormhole and surrounding space through a series of tall viewports. Spiral staircases linked the various levels of the Promenade. Decoration was provided by colored banners hung from the ceiling, and the lower thoroughfare featured an aquarium, alien plant life and the skeleton of a strange alien creature (possibly a Cardassian fish).
Layouts on other Federation Space starbases are loosely based off of this model, and are often called "Habitat and Recreation" levels. Star Base Delta's circle the top and bottom of the station's third ring, and similar bases follow an almost identical model.
Purpose
As a major thoroughfare, many visitors and station inhabitants are known to progress through the Promenade or Rec Areas on their way from their respective docked ships to the central core. Several airlocks provide pedestrian access to the Promenade from the docking and habitat rings, and numerous turbolifts link the Promenades to all other parts of the station.
The Promenade also serves as the primary public meeting place on many star bases, due to the variety of places to congregate, socialize, eat, drink, play games, worship and shop. A number of essential station facilities may be situated on the Promenade, including a security office, an infirmary, or places of worship. Often, one can also find information kiosk.
Commercial facilities
Promenades and Rec Areas are often thriving commercial areas. They are known to have numerous retail outlets, including a food court with various cultures' and species' food. Businesses on Promenades are collectively represented by the a Merchants' Association of some form, which regularly meets with the head of the respective base.
Each Star Base's Promenade is known for its individual restaurants, such as "The Drunken Tribble" on Star Base Alpha.
Gatherings and celebrations
Promenades often serve as the primary communal social space on stations, and play host to a range of public performances and gatherings. Not unheard of are live music concerts, as well as auctions that may or may not feature items acquired from the Black Market. Jadzia Dax and Worf's wedding ceremony was performed on Deep Space 9 in 2374. Several important political addresses were made on DS-9's Promenade, including a speech given by Bajoran First Minister Shakaar Edon in 2372.
