2016 was a busy year for SPAR, and for Springfield.  Our signature annual events – the Historic Springfield Tour of Homes, the July 4^thCelebration and Throwback Baseball Game, and Jacksonville PorchFest – were all bigger and better than ever, with record attendance and lots of great publicity for our community. 

We hosted preservation workshops, worked with the City and its agencies on dozens of issues, completed numerous neighborhood cleanups, and activated our parks.  We brought street light banners and a beautiful “Welcome to Springfield” mural to Main Street, supported proposed and existing businesses, and welcomed many new neighbors.

None of these activities would be possible without the support of hundreds of Springfield residents. The SPAR Board and I are deeply appreciative of each and every contribution of time and other resources. (Continued)

2017 looks to be even more exciting for Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhood.  Our new board members – Joey Marchy, Jamie Toraason, Yolanda Copeland, and Tim Hope – are already getting involved and brainstorming new ideas.  We hope you’ll consider joining them as members of committees including Block Captains, Commercial Corridors, Development, Events, and more.  Our Design and Review Committee will be revamped to be more accessible to residents, and evening meetings will begin soon.  We are developing a new partnership with Jacksonville Parks that will lead to exciting new events throughout the year: look for a January announcement with more information.  Several neighborhood public art projects will be completed this year, and we’ll have a new lineup of preservation workshops beginning in the Spring.  Mark your calendars for next year’s Tour of Homes– scheduled for May 20^th and 21^st – and for PorchFest 2017, which will be back on the first Saturday of November and (here’s a “scoop” for you!) will - for the first time - include BOTH the east and west sides of Main Street.
 
We’ve increased SPAR staff and have expanded our office hours so that we can better assist you.  Stop by the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 and 12 and Wednesdays between 2 or 6, or call to schedule an appointment to meet with us at other times.  You can always reach me directly through email. 

I look forward to seeing you during the holidays and in 2017!

                                                                      Christina Parrish Stone, SPAR Council Executive Director