Weinland Park Community Civic AssociationSummary of Meeting of May 27, 2015

Brandyn McElroy, president of the civic association, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

Mr. McElroy noted that Matt Adair has designed the agenda page incorporating the new Weinland Park logo.

Jean Pitman announced that free posters for the Weinland Park Billboard Project are available. The posters feature the billboard design by John Grosvenor. Ms. Pitman also announced that the Red Circle craft program for children will begin May 28 and continue monthly in the Weinland Park shelter house from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Anthony Gibbs of the Ohio History Connection invited families with children to the Storybook Village event at the Ohio History Center on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The village will have contemporary and traditional childrens story characters portrayed by persons in costumes. Storybook Village is being done in partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Library. Weinland Park families can obtain free passes to the event from Godman Guild, Community Properties of Ohio, and 7th Avenue Community Missionary Baptist Church. The event will include free transportation from Weinland Park, a hospitality room with refreshments for Weinland Park families, and a resource bag.

Kristin Edwards of CoGo Bike Share explained her company is planning to expand beyond downtown. She said CoGo is looking into the possibility of a CoGo station in Weinland Park.

Michael Wilkos explained the huge, huge success of the fifth annual Roots & Roofs event on May 16. He said volunteers planted 4,300 bulbs and flowers and spread 500 bags of mulch and one ton of bulk mulch. He thanked Godman Guild for hosting the event and Veritas Community Church for organizing volunteers to do yard work at the homes of seniors and others with limited mobility. He also expressed thanks to Lowes Home Improvement for providing the bulbs, plants and supplies at cost.

Evelyn Van Til talked about 4th Street Farms community garden on North Fourth Street. She encouraged folks to explore the garden and take food that they can consume. People are welcome to work in the garden.

Amy Byler of Veritas Community Church said her church will sponsor movie night in Weinland Park beginning June 19 and continuing for four additional Friday evenings in June and July. The movies will be family-friendly. The set-up begins about 7:30 p.m. and the movie usually starts about 8:30 or 8:45 p.m. Between set-up and the movie, Veritas will have childrens games and activities. Ms. Byler said this is the third year for the summer movies.

Mr. McElroy said that during the week of June 11, Veritas will organize 100 to 150 volunteers to work in Weinland Park. The volunteers will come from a conference in Columbus of the Southern Baptist Convention. He said the volunteers will help make repairs to homes that might be subject to code violations during Neighborhood Pride from September 14-18. The volunteers also may be involved in beautification and clean-up projects.

Mr. McElroy explained that Neighborhood Pride will pay attention to code enforcement, public safety, and other city services. Weinland Park and the Milo-Grogan neighborhood will be combined for Neighborhood Pride. He said the bicycle safety program earlier that day in Weinland Park Elementary School was part of pre-Neighborhood Pride activities.

Chester, who lives on North Sixth Street, announced that North Sixth Streets Rally in the Alley will be held Saturday, June 13, from noon to 6 p.m. The rally will be in the alley between North Sixth and North Grant streets. The alley will be closed off between East Seventh and East Eighth avenues. The rally will include music, DJ, face-painting, dunk tank, talent show, and free food. He said money donated at the event will go into a new fund to support neighborhood activities.

Mr. McElroy noted that the neighbors organizing the Rally in the Alley initially came together through the Sixth Street Block Club. He noted that Fifth Street also has a block club. He encouraged neighbors on other streets to consider forming block clubs.

Julie Orban reported that a neighbor, Lee, is working to have the feral cats in the neighborhood sterilized. She said there are kittens available for adoption. John Grosvenor reported that a woman is leaving food for the feral cats throughout the neighborhood and her actions are attracting rats.

Jennifer Cheeks announced that the civic associations Youth Committee is meeting on the first Sunday of each month at noon at Ms. Cheeks home at 1278 N. Sixth Street. Mr. McEloy said one idea he would like to pursue is to plan a youth festival in 2016 at Godman Guilds Camp Mary Orton.

Kimberly Golden proposed the Weinland Park community yard sale be held on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23. She would like to have names of folks who may need help in preparing to participate in the yard sale.

Among the announcements made at the meeting were: Volunteers from Maynard Avenue United Methodist Church will be giving away books in Weinland Park during the week of August 8. Kelly Capatosto announced that the strawberry-picking trip will be Friday, June 19. Mr. McElroy said the Housing Committee will meet on June 8 and will consider two new property developments. Mr. McElroy also announced that he has talked with the new owner of the Beer Barn property. Mr. McElroy hopes the redevelopment of the property will be a positive for the neighborhood. Ahmed Ebady announced that the Franklin County Sheriffs office may offer a rape prevention workshop for women in Weinland Park, if there are at least 14 women interested in participating. Vivian Nassali with ARC Ohio announced a camp in August for children and teenagers who have been impacted by HIV. Olaniyi Gaiusbayode is a dancer with I Am Dance. He has flyers for those interested in learning dance. He is working with the Youth Committee on possibilities. Michael Hargrove announced the fourth annual Fathers Expo on Saturday, June 20, the day before Fathers Day. The event will be at the Schoenbaum Family Center.

Those in attendance introduced themselves and said what their favorite summer activities are.

The business of the civic association being concluded, Mr. McElroy adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

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