SPAR board members, staff, and committee members at the 2018 Holiday Party

We're happy to share that the SPAR Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for new board members. We are looking for board members who believe in our mission to preserve and revitalize Springfield and are willing to be active in their governance roles. A primary responsibility of board directors is to participate in the development of policy and major decision-making at board meetings held once a month. Another key responsibility is to be active on an ongoing basis in a committee of the board. 

Please review the corporation bylaws, and if you are still interested in serving on the Board after reviewing these materials, please fill out the application and return it to [email protected] no later than August 1st. If you have a resume or similar document outlining your work experience and skill set, please include that as well. Note that all candidates must be current members of SPAR. You must be willing to participate in an interview and be approved by the Governance Committee and current board in order to be presented to the membership for a vote. Please feel free to contact [email protected] at any time if you have any questions.

If you see a guy flying a drone, or zipping through the streets of Springfield on a motorized skateboard — which around Christmastime was transformed into Santa’s sleigh — you’re looking at the one and only Soner Acar. But when he’s not up to his usual antics, he’s serious about bettering Springfield as a SPAR board member.

Springfield has seen a steady influx of small retail shops popping up over the last few years. For quirky, colorful women’s clothing in the style of the 40s and 50s, check out Best Dressed Dame on Main Street. The Classic Maven caters to full-figured women with a variety of styles. Ysyntricity is a women’s apparel boutique featuring the latest in trendy fashions from sizes slim to curvy. Simply Ke’say Boutique specializes in the latest fashions for elegant, classy, and sophisticated women. If skateboarding is more your speed, head to The Block Skate Supply which boasts the coolest footwear, apparel, and hardgoods from both local and global brands. Located a few doors down, Bobby K Boutique carries a variety of basics for both men and women including button-up shirts, cotton dresses and graphic tees, with some home decor and gift items sprinkled in. Looking for a special treat for your furry friend? Bark on Park offers all sorts of goodies including dog collars, chew toys, pet carriers, and grooming products. They also provide grooming, boarding, and training services! For all your natural and organic apothecary need, Auntie Peaches will delight your senses with a wide variety of herbs and spices, coffee and tea, candles and essential oils, as well as bath products and home goods.

The City of Jacksonville has awarded the SPAR tree planting project to Liberty Tree, with 134 trees being planted in the Springfield area! The City expects the first trees to start being planted in the next 2 weeks.  All trees going in on this project can be seen here.  The City will flag every location where a tree will be planted a couple of days ahead of time as well as leave door-hangers.  

We’re counting down to 2019 and Springfield’s Sesquicentennial by looking back at 2018 and giving thanks. Join us in celebrating this past year!

We did a lot of growing as an organization in 2018 – SPAR now has two full-time employees, Executive Director Kelly Rich and Development Director Heather Benfield; as well as our AmeriCorps intern, Victoria Baron. We are looking forward to the programming and projects they have in store for 2019!

We’d also like to give thanks to former Community Engagement Coordinator Kevin O’Halloran and former AmeriCorps intern Nehemiah Samuel for all their hard work for SPAR this past year. We are also grateful for Jax PorchFest co-chair Tiare Bugarin for her dedication to our biggest event of the year! And very special thanks to Julie Michael, our bookkeeper, for being a crucial part to the team!

We’re counting down to 2019 and Springfield’s Sesquicentennial by looking back at 2018 and giving thanks. Join us in celebrating this past year! 

It just wouldn’t be Springfield without fantastic events! St. Patrick’s Day on Main Street and Oktoberfest on Main Street saw the streets shut down and thousands of people in the neighborhood. 2018 also saw the development of North Pearl’s First Friday events; a monthly collaboration of music, arts, culture, shopping, great food, and more! Our friends at Springfield Improvement Association and Archives - SIAA held another beautiful Holiday Home Tour in December, which included the installation of wreaths on Main Street. The Springfield Families Group hosted holiday movies in the park in December as well.

Want to stay connected with everything happening in Springfield? Visit the Historic Springfield Community Calendar, where area organizations share their events: http://historicspringfieldcalendar.org/

We’re counting down to 2019 and Springfield’s Sesquicentennial by looking back at 2018 and giving thanks. Join us in celebrating this past year!

Today we’d like to give thanks to our fellow urban core neighborhood organizations. We are looking forward to growing our relationships with these groups and working together on mutually beneficial projects and events.

This year we were honored to be a part of the Museum of Science & History, Jacksonville Neighborhoods (open through May, 15, 2019) signature exhibition that marks the 50th anniversary of Jacksonville consolidation, focusing on the development and sustainability of Jacksonville’s many neighborhoods – urban, suburban, and rural.

We’re counting down to 2019 and Springfield’s Sesquicentennial by looking back at 2018 and giving thanks. Join us in celebrating this past year!

The annual Springfield Tour of Homes takes place over two days each May and showcases the unique character of the community. This past year was the 40th year of this annual event, and we were thrilled to have five beautifully renovated century-old residences styled with a mix of vintage and modern décor, two innovative new construction homes built to reflect historic architecture, and one gorgeous commercial-to-residential loft renovation.

We’re counting down to 2019 and Springfield’s Sesquicentennial by looking back at 2018 and giving thanks. Join us in celebrating this past year!

Another beloved Springfield tradition is the annual July 4th Throwback Baseball Game. The Westside and Eastside (of the Springfield Historic District) battle it out on the baseball field for bragging rights, complete with turn-of-the-century old school uniforms and equipment.

This family-friendly, free event draws hundreds to Klutho Park; and is a great way to spend time with your neighbors and friends on Independence Day.