In this e-Newsletter we share an update on demolition, park design and funding, a video recapping community organizing efforts, an invitation to join a citizen science project around air quality, and more ways to get involved.
WHO WE ARE: Green for the Greater Good is a group of neighbors working to keep the Rodney Reservoir safe, public and green so all residents can enjoy its use. Let’s work together to make sure the Rodney Reservoir becomes a beautiful park!
1. LATEST NEWS ON RODNEY RESERVOIR DEMO, PARK DESIGN AND BUDGET
The demolition of the old water tank at the Rodney Reservoir is well under way. We are told that crews will eventually shape site materials into the topography of our future park. Hinge Collective has shared the latest design concept reflecting community input from meetings last fall/winter. Check out the thumbnail below and find more info on their site.
The current plan includes hills, forested areas, native plant habitat, an observation point, urban gardens, gathering spaces, a flexible lawn space, and running, walking and biking trails. Educational signage is also planned to help make the park a place for learning, recreation, engagement and stewardship.
We continue to advocate for ways for community members to participate in decision making, park design and planning and hope everyone will stay engaged in this process. We are planning programming for this summer, so please stay tuned!
2. UPDATE ON FUNDING
The City of Wilmington requested $2 million from the state Bond Bill Committee for construction of the park. Residents can tune into hearings and follow the work of the Capital Improvement (Bond) Committee online. Hearings for this year’s budgeting process started earlier this month. We will keep you posted on the status of the request and ways to support it.
3. LOOKING BACK ON OUR COLLECTIVE ADVOCACY
In March, our friends at the Delaware Sierra Club's Environmental Justice Committee invited us to share the story of our community's grassroots organizing efforts (so far!). View a recording of the presentation here. We are proud of the work we have done together and look forward to the work ahead!
4. HELP OUR COMMUNITY MONITOR AIR QUALITY & PARTICIPATE IN CITIZEN SCIENCE
We are looking for locations in our neighborhood/central Wilmington to host free Purple air monitors to gather baseline air quality information for research, awareness, and advocacy. Data collected by monitors is mapped on a website accessible to all, and we will work together to monitor and do cool stuff with the data we collect. The set-up requires Wi-Fi access and an electric outlet–ideally on a front porch. Thanks to the Clean Air Council for providing and installing the monitors! Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.
GET MORE INVOLVED
We need to work together to make sure our neighborhood is heard and the city works with us on the future of the Rodney Reservoir! Here are some more ways you can help:
Share posts on your own social media.
Visit the website for the latest news.
Join weekly Saturday meetings at 10 AM at the Church of The Holy City at 1118 N. Broom Street. Enter to the right of the main door and enter through the side door.
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