in this issue >>>

Here Comes the Sun! Summer Lawn Care Program From Eyesore to Neighborhood Gem

Remembering the Past. Creating the Future. neighbor May / Jun WestvieW 2012 A Reason to Celebrate! History of the Westview Summer Solstice by Ayana Gabriel

Humble Beginnings streets that had been closed for the Heights, Beecher-Donnelly, and West Five years ago, former Westview resi- event. End. Local vendors and artisans from dent Tonyel Stewart had a great idea. inside and outside of the neighborhood He was tired of the strained relationship A Growing Spark sold goods. Guest DJs played music, among police, firefighters, and In 2010, the festival moved to KIPP and neighbors, and weary of conversations STRIVE and grew even bigger as neighbor- that centered only on crime and other Westview celebrated its 100 year anni- hood kids negative occurrences in the neighbor- versary. That year, the Westview Com- used the wide hood. Tonyel and other residents be- munity Organization (WCO) partnered lawn space of lieved that a celebration honoring po- with the BeltLine. The BeltLine KIPP to play lice and firefighters would help foster hosted a 5K race and unveiled the games for more positive relationships. Southwest portion of the BeltLine trail prizes. that runs through Westview. Home On June 21, 2008, the first Westview sound systems were replaced by local The Celebration Continues Neighborhood Cookout was held at On- DJs and a live neighborhood band. This year, The Westview Summer Sol- tario Park. Residents, police officers, There was even a friendly BBQ compe- stice marks its 5th anniversary. Due to firefighters, and local politicians gath- tition among Westview neighbors. construction of KIPP STRIVE Primary, ered to celebrate. The next year, local the festival will move to Muse Street businesses and politicians donated By the festival’s fourth year in 2011, between Ralph David Abernathy and items and money for the event. Free hot several neighbors realized that the Lucile running along the BeltLine. The dogs and hamburgers were provided for event could become a staple of West- organizers envision one day having fes- residents, music played from home view: a positive, family-friendly event tivals at the future neighborhood Belt- sound systems, and kids played in the to highlight the neighborhood’s many Line Enota Park. assets to both residents and non- residents. All that was needed was a The 2012 Westview Summer Solstice Newsletter Staff new name. An informal poll was taken, will be June 23rd, from 2-8 pm. Food, Patrick Berry , Ad Design and neighbor Clementine Malta-Bey fun, and games will be in store for kids, Keith Blackmon , Photographer suggested Summer Solstice since the adults, and seniors. Come out and bring Ayana Gabriel , Writer / Ad Sales celebration had always been held at the a neighbor! Ashley Kirby, Lead Distributor end of June, close to the summer equi- Katherine Little , Copy Editor nox. Earl Picard , Writer Kisha Solomon , Editor The BBQ competition was expanded to For questions, story ideas, and advertising, include four more SW Atlanta contact: [email protected] neighborhoods – Adair Park, Ashview

Trimming Lawns, Training Youth This summer, the Youth of Westview group is teaming up with Atwood Community Gardens to provide lawn maintenance services for residents of Westview. Ten children involved in Atwood Community Gardens’ Herb & Farm Summer Internship will learn the ins and outs of running a lawn care business.

This summer program will teach the kids valuable lessons about a healthy work ethic, teamwork, responsibility, and customer service, while giving them an opportunity to earn their own money. The goal of the program is to increase the kids’ confidence, hope for the future, and sense of pride in their neighborhood. A portion of funds generated will be set aside for summer activities and school supplies for the Youth of Westview.

So when you see the Youth of Westview in their uniform of blue shirt and khaki pants, congratu- late them, and ask them if they can cut your lawn!

Need Your Lawn Trimmed? Want to Get Involved? The youth are looking for clients and workers! If you are interested in having the Youth of Westview cut your lawn this sum- mer, or have a child who you would like to participate in the program, please contact John Perdew at: 678-378-9906 or johnper- [email protected].

Meet Warren A. Dates

Westview Neighbor by Keith Blackmon Minister Warren A. Dates moved into Westview in March, 2012. Originally from Gadsden, Alabama, Dates is the CEO and Founder of the The 6:52 Project Founda- tion, which partners with individuals and organizations to produce educational con- tent and programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Westview Neighbor sat down to chat with Minister Dates about the neighbor- hood. What do you like about living in West- speaking, and workshops. We are not view? just here to reside, we are I love the neighborly cama- here to partner any way we raderie. It really reminds me can! of being in Alabama. There is a certain peace and love What do you hope to see in one feels living here. Our the Westview Community? neighbors are great and it I’d love to see Westview just feels like where I was become the model beautifi- meant to live. cation award winning com- munity. I recall my child- How do you see your foun- hood seeing several homes dation helping Westview on our block that received and the Greater Atlanta the city’s beautification area? award and the pride the The foundation can be quite a resource community felt for each other as a re- agent for education, advocacy and re- sult. ferrals in the community; we are also available for peer counseling, public

Vol 1 Issue 3 2 Westview Neighbor

A Pocket Park in Westview

by Earl Picard

The newly installed Stokes Avenue park was once a community eyesore. But thanks to the efforts of neighbors and outside support for a growing nationwide movement, it’s now poised to become the newest neighborhood gem.

When there are no large parcels of land of the property continued for years. that can serve as community parks, one Concerned Westview residents finally solution is to develop pocket parks. decided to take action by lodging a Also known as mini-parks, vest-pocket code enforcement complaint. parks, and parkettes, pocket parks are small outdoor spaces, usually no more When members of the community than ¼ of an acre. They are most often showed up in court in March 2010, located in urban areas that are sur- they learned that the property belonged rounded by commercial buildings or to a woman whose estranged husband houses on small lots; but they can be had left it in her name without her created on vacant lots, old parking lots knowledge. She agreed to sign the or medians. Pocket parks are most de- property over to the community so that sirable in areas with no places for peo- the house could be torn down and ple to gather, relax, or enjoy the out- turned into a pocket park. The property doors. When con- was demolished in October verted to pocket 2011 and turned over to the parks, little-used, community with the help of undervalued, or di- the University Community lapidated properties Development Corporation can be transformed (UCDC). The Westview into neighborhood Community Organization assets – green and (WCO) applied for and re- beautiful places that ceived two grants: a ‘Love build community, Your Block’ grant, and a encourage pride, and grant from NPU-T. These add value to grants paved the way for the neighborhoods. One land to be turned into a study conducted in Greenville, SC pocket park. found that attractively maintained small and medium parks have a posi- Work on the park started on April 7, tive influence on neighboring property 2012, as neighborhood volunteers set values. fence posts, attached rails, and began installing pickets. Volunteers pitched Removing an eyesore, fostering com- in again on May 19 to move the proc- munity pride and preserving property ess further along by finishing the fence values were the motivations for creat- and planting flowers. The final phase ing the Stokes Avenue pocket park. of the park should be completed before The house at 1556 Stokes Avenue was the end of June. clearly an unloved place. Built in the 1980s as infill construction it was By developing the Stokes Avenue known as ‘the blue box’ by neighbors pocket park, Westview has joined a because it was a bland-looking, two- growing, progressive trend. Philadel- story box shaped structure with a faux phia pioneered the idea by creating roof. It rapidly became an eyesore as some 60 parks in the 1960s. Major cit- the siding began falling off and the lot became overgrown. The deterioration

Vol 1 Issue 2 3 Westview Neighbor

westview facts ... Westview Cemetery: In August 1884, land was purchased for Westview Cemetery. West- Findingview Cemetery An was Agent to be builtThat’s to accommodate Right For the You growing population in Atlanta after Oakland Cemetery sold all of its plots. The property was described by the Atlanta Con- stitution as being an “exceedingly handsome piece of property” with streams, pine fields and “pleasant retreats for visitors.” It was comprised of 577 acres and was pur- chased for $25,000. To date, it remains the largest cemetery in the southeastern United States. Westview is the final resting place for many famous Atlantans, such as: Asa G. Candler, founder of Coca-Cola; Henrietta Egleston; Henry W. Grady, one of ’s Important Numbers most celebrated journalists; , author of the “Uncle Remus Sto- ries”; William B. Hartsfield, Mayor of the City of Atlanta; Donald Lee Hollowell, civil Zone 4 Police: 404-756-1903 Pothole Posse: 404-768-4653 rights attorney; and Robert W. Woodruff, president of Coca-Cola. Code Enforcement: 404-330-6190 Sanitation: 404-330-6333 Tax Assessor: 404-612-6440 Watershed Mgmt: 404-658-6500 Pocket Park (cont.) Housing Authority: 404-892-4700 ies like New York, San Francisco and However, the creation of a pocket park Upcoming Events San Diego soon followed. The phe- is just the beginning. Without func- nomenon quickly caught on in smaller tional design, community support, Westview Community Organization cities. Savannah, GA, Harrisonburg, appropriate use and maintenance, a Meeting — 1st Monday of every month; VA, Versailles, KY and Carmel, CA pocket park can easily fall into dis- 7:00 pm, Calvary United Methodist all have pocket park move- repair. Most pocket park visi- Church, 1471 R.D. Abernathy Blvd. ments. Since 1995, Indian- tors live within a 1-2 block apolis has provided annual radius of the park, and are ex- NPU-T Monthly Meeting — 2nd grants to community based pected to not only be active Wednesday of Every Month; 7:00 pm, organizations that seek to users of the park but also KIPP STRIVE, 1444 Lucile Ave. develop pocket parks. At- active maintainers of the park. Westview Summer Solstice — June 23, lanta’s Midtown Alliance Community members 2-8:00 pm, Muse St. has recently opened a ‘pop- fortunate enough to have a up pocket park’ next to pocket park can pitch in by John Marshall Law School, giving picking up trash, and volunteering to Stay in Touch people in one of Midtown’s busiest keep the space neat and tidy. It’s a Web: www.westviewatlanta.com areas ¼ acre of green space to enjoy. small price to pay for a pocket of natu- ral beauty just steps from your door. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ westviewatl

Message Board: groups.yahoo.com/ group/westviewcommunity

Advertise Here! NPU-T: www.nputatlanta.org Contact: [email protected] for rates and ad sizes

Vol 1 Issue 3