Recap: Westside Volunteer Corps’ May Day of Service — A Day in the Park!

May 22, 2018

On Saturday, May 19, the Westside Volunteer Corps headed to English Avenue’s Lindsay Street Park for a “Day of Service!” Instead of stormy skies, volunteers were greeted by sunshine – perfect weather for a morning of gardening.

The park, built to serve the community, was in need of a little TLC before summertime, so it was all hands on deck as volunteers grabbed shovels and gloves to spruce it up!

According to The Conservation Fund, one of the nation’s top environmental nonprofits and the organization that spearheaded the development of Lindsay Street Park in 2015, the site serves as more than just green space.

“[Lindsay Street Park] provides a safe place for kids to play and neighbors to gather and focuses on environmental, economic, and social justice outcomes as well. This park was envisioned, planned, and designed through a process to ensure residents led the way… The Conservation Fund collaborated with residents and numerous non-profits, and also received outstanding support from corporations such as U-Haul, to create this new park to address many of the challenges faced in this community.” (The Conservation Fund)

Corps volunteers got to experience all the wonders of the park firsthand at the community day of service. Our friends at Park Pride and The Friends of Lindsay Street Park joined us to beautify, landscape and clean up the neighborhood park. Check out some highlights and photos from the event!

 

After registration, our volunteers began to pick weeds and clean up the plant beds. We were joined by a plethora of Historic Westside advocates and community members, including the Chick-fil-A Foundation, Westside Works, Carver College, Washington and Lee University alumni, runningnerds, and more.

“runingnerds'” Tes Sobomehin Marshall planted mulch and dug up weeds. Check out our feature on Tes from last Westside News + Views issue.

Washington and Lee University alumni Eryka and Kade hard at work!

Students from Carver College picked weeds and helped rid the garden of snakes!
Resident Ms. Pam busted out some of her dance moves in the grass.

As the sun got brighter, the park began to shine. Laying mulch and planting some greenery really brought the park back to life!

The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance stopped by to check out how the park runs clean water into Proctor Creek!

We had a lot of fun chatting and connecting as advocates for the Historic Westside community that Saturday morning. Thanks to Mother Moore and Annie Moore of the Friends of Lindsay Street Park.

Mother Moore, Annie and WFF’s executive director, John Ahmann, catch-up.
The park is all ready for some fun!
Even the kids had fun hanging out and sprucing up the park.

We concluded the morning with a group photo. It was great to have so many volunteers come out in support of Lindsay Street Park!
Mother Moore left us with some motivational remarks and reminded us about the importance of preserving the community.

Join us next time by registering for the Westside Volunteer Corps! We can’t wait to see you at our June Day of Service!

To view the full gallery from the event, visit our Westside Future Fund Facebook page!