Residents in the Greater Parkcrest Neighborhood were able to meet and greet their neighbors at the first Greater Parkcrest Neighborhood Block Party on Thursday, Aug. 15.
Ken Brooks, president, opened the event and thanked everyone for attending our first, and hopefully, annual block party. The free event was co-hosted by the Greater Parkcrest Neighborhood Association and The Way Church. Hundreds of hotdogs and hamburgers, fresh fruit, cookies, along with popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones were served.
Young and old enjoyed the numerous lawn games while listening to the live music provided by Denny Maples and Max Daer. The bounce house was a popular attraction for the kids in addition to face painting and the balloon animal creations. Kids received free bicycle helmets from Leigha McKinney of Mercy Hospital Accident Prevention Group and were able to experience a bicycle obstacle course.
Neighborhood PAR officer Jullin Torres from the Springfield Police Department was present and visited with neighborhood residents while providing cruiser tours.
Springfield Fire Department offered ladder truck tours and information about smoke alarms and HISD alarms with special giveaways for the kids. The event was also attended by Ronnie Bell with her team from Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management who showed off their mobile command post, Skylab. CERT provided a first aid trailer and information tent.
Angie Atwell, community health advocate for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, staffed a booth to hand out information. Our guest speaker was David Burton with the University of Missouri Extension Office. David, who launched “The Engaged Neighbor” program, encouraged neighbors to participate in their neighborhood and the importance of connecting with your neighbors. He mentioned our success in promoting the Neat Neighborhood contest and commented that residents picked up trash on their way to the block party.
GPNA would like to give special thanks to The Way Church, the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department and all other contributors and volunteers to the event along with everyone who attended to make this block party a great success!
