Revitalizating College Hill’s Peace Park

Dr. Roderick Jones, CEO of Grace Hill, speaks to volunteers

This morning in North St. Louis’ College Hill neighborhood, 113 ARAMARK employees volunteered to help the community. Partnering with Grace Hill Settlement House, the volunteers dedicated their time and talents to transform Peace Park.

The entire park is being refurbished and improved. The improvements will include the creation of an Outdoor Educational Area which will feature an outdoor classroom and community garden to create a space where children and families can learn. Park facilities will be enhanced  by building benches, planter boxes and rebuilding the sandbox. Landscaping and beautification of the park will be an emphasis throughout the project to create a green, peaceful public space.

The project is working hand-in-hand with the community to improve and add to the the positive elements of Peace Park. Otis Woodard has been active in the park for over 40 years. He has distributed clothing and supplies to residents in need from the community. To continue and enhance his efforts a new structure is being created which will include cabinets, shelves and a sorting surface. Mr. Woodard was ecstastic today about the progress being made as he watched the volunteers busily transforming the park.

Mr. Woodard’s table of many years is being replaced with a new “Peace Table.” The new table is being inlaid with a mosaic depicting College Hill.

The Peace Park project will contribute to Grace Hill’s larger community revitalization goals by providing a neighborhood with a gathering place.  This volunteer project and partnership between Grace Hill and ARAMARK is part of a 40-city ARAMARK Building Community tour engaging thousands of employees in the U.S. and around the world in supporting local neighborhood centers and strengthening communities.

As Dr. Roderick Jones stated, “ARAMARK’s dedication to this project and to our community is a sign that College Hill resident have not been forgotten. Our partnership represents the hope that together, we can make our neighborhoods whole again.”

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Posted by The Core Editor on 10:29 PM. Filed under Community, Feature Story, Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.