A Day of Service for Teens in Stratton Meadows
Article Written By: Maria Cordova
If you were a Stratton Meadows neighbor who had been walking through Meadows Park on the afternoon of July 2nd, you were probably wondering why a bunch of youth summer campers were walking around wearing work gloves and carrying trash bags. For community organizations, churches, and businesses seeking ways to connect and serve the neighborhoods where they reside, volunteering for Creek and Park Clean Ups is a great place to start!
After connecting with Stratton Meadows neighbors at a Neighborhood Cafe hosted at Restoration Anglican Church, Pastor Mady Long reached out to Hey Neighbor to learn the importance of investing in Stratton Meadows. The closure of Meadows Park Community Center led to the Neighborhood Cafe gathering at the church.
Pastor Mady Long and Outreach Apprentice Mac Conn both work with youth at the church and asked about service projects in the neighborhood. Since many neighbors of all ages utilize the park at all hours of the day, Executive Director Kelly Bull and District 3 Community Coordinator Maria Cordova suggested cleaning up litter where Spring Run Creek runs through Meadows Park and feeds into Fountain Creek. In addition to signing up for the Clean Up the young people also agreed to help pull weeds from front yards that have been converted into edible rain gardens.
The youth summer camp volunteers arrived ready with gloves, water, sunscreen, trash bags, and great attitudes for a day of beautifying the creek and park. After pulling weeds with Kelly Bull, the youth campers took a hydration break under the shade of one of the trees in the park and asked Maria what it was like growing up in Stratton Meadows. They learned about Chamberlin Elementary School and the neighborhood clean ups Principal Sal Turner accomplished with students during the 1990s. They also learned how connections with Stratton Elementary School and Meadows Park Community Center supported working families and seniors. After their break they split up into two teams and swept the park and Spring Run waterway for trash.
One neighbor stopped to thank the young people for the work they were doing. He shared that he is the caregiver for his wife who has a mobility disability and he brings her to the park to enjoy the outdoors. He said he has been wanting to do a creek and park clean up but finding the time to do it was difficult. Making sure the walkways were clear of trash helped this neighbor, his wife, and others who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and strollers move with more ease.
After weeding and cleaning up trash, the youth treated themselves to a game of wiffle ball. Their hard work on a hot day is greatly appreciated! The church is looking forward to completing additional service projects which includes partnering with Stratton Elementary. Being curious and offering support within Stratton Meadows maintains this neighborhood’s beauty and vibrancy.
