Dearborn Park Neighborhood Association

DPNA Welcome Sign

dpna — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:49:39 +0000

Our main project goal for 2012 is to install a DPNA Welcome Sign at the intersection of Fordson and South York. This is an ongoing project that we are hoping to see come to fruition by summer. In addi¬tion, we still have on hold our planter project until the sewer and street replacement activity is com¬pleted. Once that is complete, then we plan to move forward with the beautification project. If you have any project ideas you think would be beneficial for our neighborhood, please let one of the board mem¬bers know.

The DPNA Book Club

dpna — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:48:49 +0000

The DPNA book club held its first meeting on January 20th. The group is reading TheCellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. The club will be discussing this book and then selecting their next one on February 26th. At this time, the club has 10 members who have all agreed on a nice balance of serious book discussion and enjoyable socializing.

2012 DPNA MEMBERSHIP

dpna — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:46:21 +0000

It’s hard to believe, but the DPNA is currently in its fourth year of existence. Since its inception, we’ve seen improvements, activities, and events that have helped to draw the neighborhood closer together. In an effort to support inclusion, the board has agreed to continue providing and delivering newsletters to every home within the DPNA borders. However, to fund the newsletter, our website, and the various projects within our neighborhood, we must rely on the gener¬ous support of many, including those who financially support us through annual membership dues. Our membership levels have declined since 2011. We’re hoping that for many residents it’s simply an oversight and that you will step forward to continue your sup¬port. Annual dues are just $20 and are still being ac¬cepted by our treasurer, Ed Maul, at 630 S. Melborn.

BOARD MEMBER TIM MASTERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO DPNA!

dpna — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:43:28 +0000

One of our founding board members and the current vice-president, Tim Masters, has stepped down from the board after nearly 4 years of dedicated service to DPNA. We are so appreciative of Tim’s service to the association! Even though Tim is resigning from the board, he will continue to serve as an active member of the association. With Tim’s resignation, this leaves us with only 4 remaining board members. As we stated in our last newsletter, we definitely could use some help keeping the association moving forward, so if you are interested in serving, please contact one of our existing board members: Jeff Palmer, Ed Maul, Lisa Kirk, or John Addo. All it takes is a little bit of your time to make a huge difference to the neighbor¬hood!

Neighborhood Construction

dpna — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:35:36 +0000

Tentative Construction Schedule for CSO 4-Phase I, Stage A
(as provided by contractor)
The following are approximate time frames for the various construction activities involved and are subject to change
Marshall – Telegraph to Outer Drive (Last week of February through end of October)
• Sewer crossing at Telegraph – Last week of February through third week of March
• Storm sewer installation – Last week of March through third week of April
• Sanitary sewer installation and lead transfer/replacement – Third week of April through second week of May
• Water main installation and lead transfer/replacement – Third week of May through second week of June
• Install edge drain and grade roadway – Second week of June through third week of June
• Place and grade aggregate road base – Third week of September through fourth week of September
• Pave half width of roadway – Fourth week of September through first week of October
• Pave half width of roadway – Second and third week of October
• Drive and sidewalk installation – Third and fourth week of October
• Restoration – Fourth and fifth week of October
S. Melborn – Rockford to Cherry Hill (Third week of May through fourth week of August)
• Storm sewer installation and lead transfer/replacement – Third week of May through first week of June
• Water main installation and lead transfer/replacement – First through fourth week of June
• Install edge drain and grade roadway – Last week of June and first week of July
• Place and grade aggregate road base – First week of July
• Pave half width of roadway – Second and third week of July
• Pave half width of roadway – Third and fourth week of July
• Drive and sidewalk installation – Fourth week of July through first week of August
• Restoration – Third and fourth week of August
S. Martha – Marshall to Cherry Hill (Second week of July through fourth week of August)
• Storm sewer installation and lead transfer/replacement – Second and third week of July
• Water main installation and lead transfer/replacement – Second through fourth week of July
• Install edge drain and grade roadway – Third and fourth week of July
• Place and grade aggregate road base – Fourth week of July and first week of August
• Pave half width of roadway – First and second week of August
• Pave half width of roadway – Second and third week of August
• Drive and sidewalk installation – Third and fourth week of August
• Restoration – Fourth week of August
S. Elmwood – Marshall to Cherry Hill (First week of August through second week of September)
• Storm sewer installation and lead transfer/replacement – First through third week of August
• Water main installation and lead transfer/replacement – Second and third week of August
• Install edge drain and grade roadway – Third and fourth week of August
• Place and grade aggregate road base – Third and fourth week of August
• Pave half width of roadway – Fourth and fifth week of August
• Pave half width of roadway – Fifth week of August and first week of September
• Drive and sidewalk installation – First and second week of September
• Restoration – Second week of September

S. York – Fordson to Cherry Hill (Fourth week of August through fourth week of October)
• Storm sewer installation and lead transfer/replacement – Fourth week of August through second week of September
• Water main installation and lead transfer/replacement – Last week of August through third week of September
• Install edge drain and grade roadway – Second and third week of September
• Place and grade aggregate road base – Third and fourth week of September
• Pave half width of roadway – Last week of September and first week of October
• Pave half width of roadway – First and second week of October
• Drive and sidewalk installation – Second and third week of October
• Restoration – Third and fourth week of October

Planter Project Proposed

dpna — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:08:06 +0000

The association is looking into placing planters on the street corners throughout our neighborhood as a beautifi-cation initiative. We think these planters will further make our neighborhood distinctive. The proposed plant¬ers will be concrete and can be left out year round. Stones will be placed inside the base to facilitate their drainage and to increase their weight to prevent theft. Most cor¬ners have a level area between the two ramps that will allow room for the planters to be placed. The planters are
15 inches wide across the base, 17 inches tall, and 29
inches across the top. They have a simple ribbed design. Plantings will be similar to achieve a coordinated effect throughout the neighborhood. The plantings can change from year to year. The plantings will be done by volun¬teers, and the pots will need to be watered by volunteers.

~ PLANTER PROJECT Q & A ~

Q: What is the cost of the planters and who will
pay for them?
A: We have found a local business to manufacture the pot
at a total delivered cost of $40 each. The pots would be
paid for from the DPNA treasury.
Q: I am on a corner but do not have a paved, level
area that the pot can sit on. Can I still have a pot?
A: If you do not have a level, paved area the pot can sit on, you can still have one if you request it. It would be
placed on the curb lawn near the corner. A bed of stones
will need to be placed on the ground beneath the pot to keep the pot from being damaged by thawing and freez¬ing.
Q: I have a corner house and have two brown thumbs. I think the idea is great, but I am con¬cerned about being responsible for the pot. Can I decline having a pot on my corner?
A: If you do not want a pot on your corner, please notify the board of directors and we will respect your wishes. However, if you’re concerned about planting and upkeep of the pot, we feel there will be enough volunteers to plant the pots. Of course, if you can give the pot an occa¬sional drink of water throughout the growing season, the volunteer will appreciate not having to tote a watering can
down to the corner.
Q: What if someone is injured? If a pot is on my
corner, will I be responsible?
A: Since the pots will be located on city property, the
homeowner would not be responsible.

Q: Who will plant the pots?
A: We will be asking for volunteers to plan the pots. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities. You can-volunteer to purchase, plant, and water the pot on your block. If you do not have a green thumb but wish to sup¬port the plantings, you could make a donation to purchase plantings or you could just volunteer to keep it watered.
We may also have a neighborhood-wide planting day each
spring where we plant the pots that haven’t been “adopted.”
Q: How will they be planted?
A: This would be determined on a yearly basis. Typically, they would all be planted in a uniform manner with annu¬als. Evergreen branches could be placed in the pots during
the winter. We may also place an evergreen in the center
of the pot and change the plantings around the edge sea¬sonally.
Q: When will this happen?
A: We have the money in the treasury right now to pur¬chase the pots. If we receive approval from the city, gain neighborhood support, and have enough volunteers to adopt the pots, we could place the pots in late August or September and plant them with mums. However, it may not happen until the spring.
Q: I question if there is enough room on my cor¬ner. What will happen if there isn’t enough
room?
A: We do not want the pots to interfere with pedestrian foot traffic or be a safety concern. If there is not adequate space for the pot, one will not be placed unless the home¬owner agrees for placement on the curb lawn.
Q: I think this is a wonderful idea! How do I adopt a pot or offer to help?
A: Contact any board member.

Next Happy Hour

dpna — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:06:54 +0000

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 7-9 P.M.
Hosted by Cher Ketelhut, 24105 Rockford
Former Dearborn Park resident and block captain Cher Ketelhut will be hosting Happy Hour at her new home in the Dearborn
Hills. Cher’s home is at 24105 Rockford on the southwest corner
of Rockford and Meridan. (Meridan is the first block west of
Telegraph.) Please make the effort to cross over into the Hills and see Cher’s beautiful Tudor-style home.

All Happy Hours are BYOB (bring your own beverage). Appetizers are not mandatory but are certainly welcome. A household membership in the Dearborn Park Neighborhood Association is required for participation.
Thanks to our May hosts Tim and Sue Masters!

A Message from our President . . . . .

dpna — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:05:33 +0000

As summer moves on, we are getting closer to our neighborhood-wide block party which will take place Saturday, Au¬gust 14 on S. York between Fordson and Marshall. Karen Blanchfield has been hard at work organizing this event. I un¬derstand a fire truck will be on hand for kids young and old and a live band may perform. This free event is open to all residents of the neighborhood who will become honorary members of the DPNA for the day. Please see the accompany¬ing article for details.
Our annual members meeting will be on Thursday, September 16 in the library (media center) at Dearborn High. Please mark your calendar and do your best to attend.
Our annual membership drive will be in October. Membership applications will be in the next newsletter. We ask that you renew your membership to continue the work of the association. If you are not a member, please consider joining.
Don’t forget to visit our website, www.dearbornpna.com. There is a blog where your polite opinions and comments can
be posted.
Two years have passed since the inception of the Dearborn Park Neighborhood Association. As president, I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet many wonderful people throughout the neighborhood. I feel the association should feel proud of all it has accomplished. However, I feel a new leader would be healthy for the association and consequently have decided to resign as president. I know the other officers have worked very hard in the last two years to make this association suc¬cessful and I would like to thank them for their efforts.
Sincerely, Jeff Swantek

What should I do with my old recycling bin?

dpna — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:04:36 +0000

Be creative and use for something else, or simply put into the new recycling container for pick-up on our
regularly scheduled recycling day.

General Membership Meeting

dpna — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:03:21 +0000

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 6:30 P.M.
DEARBORN HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER (LIBRARY)

We have vacancies on the board of directors and will be accepting nominations. Please consider nominating yourself if you’re interested in getting involved!