yardwork

A couple months ago some of you expressed the thought that the church should use its property for the good of all the community, not just the congregation or for occasional church events.  Since then we have talked about changes that could be made to the current yard that would make it more inviting and beneficial for different types of people in the community. 

Below is a list of what has been suggested so far

• install two basketball hoops on the court (one at each end) so that full-court games can be played.
• fix the night lights over the basketball court (or look into new ones as the current ones seem to always break).
• improve the toys in the fenced playground next to Burgess Hall.
• provide picnic tables for families and moms/kids.
• host a community-wide softball tournament.
• install (affordable? moveable?) soccer goals.
• community garden (a series of raised planting beds with a person or family ‘adopting’ and using a bed for the season to grow vegetables, etc.)
• an area that is landscaped like a mini-park with a few paths and benches that provides areas for people to sit and talk, picnic, etc. and still provide access from Alpine Acres to the field.

Some of the issues to think about:

1. What is the best way to provide areas for as many different people and families in the area as possible…but still make it easy to maintain and take care of? 

2. How can the space be divided and used in the best possible way so various activites in some parts of the yard don’t interfere with others (e.g. gardens and athletic areas, etc.).

So far I think the things that have been suggested are good: you provide athletic space for people who enjoy sports and similar activities.  Space has been left open for church picnics and summer movie nights.  Picnic tables would cater to families or maybe moms and kids during the week.  A community vegetable garden could appeal to families as something they do together or anyone else who enjoys gardening but perhaps can’t plant one in their yard, etc.  A walking/sitting area (park) would appeal to all sorts of people–from teenagers to seniors–as a place to walk, talk, sit, etc.

Below is a clickable image of the church yard.  I’ve marked where the basketball court, volleyball net, and backstop currently are.  The areas marked with question marks are spaces that aren’t really used, and could be possible spots for picnic tables, gardens, etc. 

As you think of ideas, suggestions, or problems, post them on here and we can continue brainstorming and begin to put together a plan that could be presented to the board.  As we do this, it might be good to think about:

- what projects can most easily be accomplished? 
- what projects might take more time/planning? 
- what aspects are you most interested in, and how can you use your abilities and personal interest to help make it a reality?