Community Collaboration in Springfield Township: Residents And Officials Unite For Positive Change With The Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition
If you've been around Springfield Township lately, chances are you've seen signs for the Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition making their way into yards and next to street signs. Facebook pages like the Springfield Township Trustees Summit County and the Springfield Lakemore Cable Channel also seem to frequently promote this meeting as well. But what exactly is it and what do people do there? Of course, when I got the invite from group member Justin Knox I knew I had to check it out.
When I pulled into Sawyerwood United Methodist Church, I was surprised to see the parking lot almost completely full. I guess going into it, I wasn't really sure how many people showed up to this monthly meeting so to see the parking lot pouring over was kind of a big surprise to me. I also noticed work on the historic Sawyerwood School happening with other vehicles present. Little did I know that the sounds of crews working on the school were almost a foreshadowing of the work that I would soon find out the community was doing on Sawyerwood as a whole through this newly established Coalition.
I couldn't help but hear the song "Old Church Basement" by Elevation Worship and Maverick City playing in my head as I began walking down the steps to where this Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition gathering was held. Familiar friendly faces like Brian from the Township IT Department and Deb from Zoning greeted me as I walked in. There were doughnuts and a U-shaped group of tables where almost all the seats were filled. Luckily for me, I found one right next to the Chief in what I soon found out to be the "front" of the meeting. I counted about 25 individuals, including myself, and during introductions found out the majority of these people were Sawyerwood residents.
Police Chief Jack Simone kicked off the meeting and introduced the main topic which was the Sawyerwood Cleanup Day taking place on April 27th. I was actually impressed at how strategic and well-thought-out their plan of attack was for the day. They would station 4 dumpsters in the area for Sawyerwood residents' use ONLY and gather volunteers to help with clean up for the area. There was a list of all the streets in Sawyerwood and volunteers signed up to pass out flyers to these neighbors and to also help with the actual clean-up day.
It was nice to see honest community conversation happening and residents and Township officials coming together to make a plan for the greater good. Politics seemed to take a back seat as individuals from all different backgrounds and all different phases of life came together to discuss how they could fix the issues in their slice of Springfield.
Since the group's efforts began, crime has significantly decreased in the area, and morale for the group seemed to indicate that things have improved. It makes me hopeful that with a little community collaboration and small acts of kindness, things can change for the better. One resident of Sawyerwood even took it upon themselves to start writing handwritten cards to applaud neighbors for the work they're doing in their yard.
As a mental health advocate myself, one question I did ask was if mental health services would be offered to those who sign up for help with their properties on April 27th who may have an addiction or hoarding issues. The Police Chief said that yes, this could be offered to individuals struggling with such things.
They also addressed some issues with aggressive/neglected dogs in the area that both Chief Jack Simone and Trustee Kellie Chapman said they would take care of for the citizens this week. It was clear that there is a great appreciation for the work of Lakemore Dogs Homeward Bound and all the work that the zoning department and police department have been doing to enhance this part of the community.
One smiling face that I was also happy to have the chance to meet was the new owner of the Sawyerwood School. Arriving with work gloves in hand, this gentleman introduced himself as Dennis and gave everyone an update on the project. Unfortunately, some of the new windows they just put in have already been broken. Tools have also been stolen from the job site. So although security measures have been updated and the police agreed to patrol the area and neighbors said they would keep an eye out, I can't help but feel bad for the guy. Nevertheless, Dennis still smiles. His demeanor is warm, and although he reports these things, he does not seem bitter or discouraged. Quite the opposite - he seems solid and determined to continue with the work he's been assigned. Just seeing this resilience makes me extremely excited to see what he does with this historic school. Dennis even stated that he would love to make a room to showcase some of the historical elements of the site and invite past students and their families back in to see them. As someone who has had many family members pass through those doors, it is something that I would love to see.
Overall, my first exposure to the Reclaim Sawyerwood Coalition was both an inspirational and positive one. This was community action at its finest. A group of citizens and government officials banding together to create the change they wanted to see. If you are interested in helping with the Sawyerwood clean-up day, they are currently looking for 30 volunteers. You can contact the Chief directly to sign up and make the change you want to see.
The Key Takeaways
Sawyerwood has a group of highly committed and motivated individuals to make change for the better
There are ACTUAL data points to back up the fact that this project is working
Sawyerwood School is in good hands with a resilient owner who will make sure this historical building is well cared for and restored
Honest and sometimes messy community conversation and connection is needed to facilitate change
Leaders in our community care a whole awful lot
There will also be a Lake Clean Up Day on October 19th, 2024 so please mark your calendars.
About The Author
Tia Lentini, a seasoned journalist and small business owner, draws inspiration from her family's legacy, particularly her great-great-grandfather Carl Wieland, a prominent entrepreneur in Springfield Township. With deep roots in the community, Tia is committed to fostering connections and promoting local businesses, ensuring the continued prosperity of Springfield Township through her unwavering dedication to positive change.
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