October was a busy month full of fun activities! We had a potluck dinner, Make A Difference Day, and Trunk or Treat. Robberson Neighborhood Association and Evangel University student volunteers helped clean up a lot of trash from our streets. The potluck dinner and Trunk or Treat were a big success, with neighbors getting to know each other better. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
November was just as exciting! On Nov. 3, the RNA Bass Pro Marathon cheering section brought smiles and laughs as our “Old Time Joggers” handed out water and snacks. On Nov. 16, RNA and Evangel student volunteers teamed up again to clean the parkways in our neighborhood. Those yellow “NO MORE” Trash bags you saw on the streets? That’s all the trash we cleared away! We also held elections for officers and started planning activities for 2025. Have ideas for events or improvements? Contact an officer or reach out by email or through our website, or the old fashion way at our next meeting.
The recent election season has ended, and now it’s time for us to come together as Americans. Let’s be part of the solution and work toward a stronger, better future for our families and community.
The City’s Building Development Services (BDS) team is working hard to improve our neighborhood. If you have concerns, call the Citizen Resource Center at 417-864-1010. BDS addresses unsafe and blighted buildings and helps make our area safer and cleaner. Remember, they need your reports to fix problems – if they don’t know, they can’t act. They’re here to help, not to cause trouble. By working together, we’ve already seen big improvements. Let’s keep it up!
Our Police Area Representative (PAR) officer is John Taylor. When possible, report non-emergency crimes and issues through the Springfield Police Department’s online tool at springfieldmo.gov/spdsupplementalreport.
If you need to speak with our PAR officer, he prefers email but can also take phone calls. Please remember he doesn’t work 24/7 and it may be a day or two before he can respond. You can contact him at jtaylor@springfieldmo.gov or 417-864-1320. If you see something suspicious, try to note details like car license plates, vehicle descriptions, or what people look like. Always report emergencies like gunshots or criminal activity to 911 immediately. Reporting thefts and vandalism is also important – it helps police track down stolen items and connect crimes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Let’s be proactive and keep our neighborhood safe.
Dumping in alleys and along parkways has been a problem. Please keep an eye out and report anything you see. This summer, the Clean Green Neat Neighborhoods project cleared many alleys, but we all need to help keep them clean. Please maintain the area around your property by mowing and trimming weeds or brush. A clean alley reduces hiding places for crime and wildlife. The City maintains alleys, but with so many to cover, they need our help to keep things safe and tidy.
RNA Is one of only a handful of neighborhoods in Springfield that also supports the Adopt A Street program by cleaning streets and parkways. Join us every third Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. at Pathways UMC (1232 E. Dale St). We work for two to three hours, and the City provides yellow trash bags and picks up the collected trash. Volunteers get gloves, bags and tools. Show up and help make a difference! Our streets include:
- National Avenue (Commercial Street to Kearney Street)
- Dale Street (Glenstone Avenue to National Avenue and National Avenue to Washington Avenue
- Atlantic Street (National Avenue to Washington Avenue).
Do you know your neighbors? Have you welcomed new ones? A friendly wave or a quick hello can make a big difference. Do you have senior neighbors? Check in on them or offer a helping hand. Getting to know just one neighbor better can create positive change. We’re all busy, but taking a moment to connect can strengthen our community. Be kind, and you’ll see kindness grow. Together, we can accomplish amazing things.
Upcoming events
- Jan 21: Neighborhood association meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 18: Neighborhood association meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 22: RNA Chili Supper 5-6:30 p.m.
- March 18: Neighborhood association meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
All events at Pathways UMC, 1232 E. Dale St.