Columbia Park Neighborhood Association

Get On Board

Feb 16, 2004

The CPNA currently has four Board members. Even though we are a small neighborhood, to do our job and keep residents well informed we need your help. A measurement of success of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) is the amount of "capacity" a neighborhood develops. The NRP gives neighborhoods money and resources, hopefully resulting in the neighborhoods becoming more active in volunteering, sitting on task forces and becoming board members; capacity that helps to keep a community healthy. Our first NRP Action Plan provided over 80 home improvement grants, contributed to a beautiful playground and rugby pitch at Columbia Park, installed sidewalks for 12 neighborhood areas in need and made community use improvements to the Columbia Park Manor. And these are only the tangible and measurable projects--the Columbia Park Neighborhood Association?’s influence on politics and projects in greater Northeast over the last ten years cannot be measured. So why is our "capacity" so low? Many people inquire about the availability of NRP Phase II funds, but wait until there is a problem before becoming involved. We need residents who are willing to be more proactive and improve the neighborhood. What is needed:
-Six Board members
-Housing/Crime Safety Task Force members
-Open Space Task Force members
The next Board meeting will be held Monday, February 16, 2004, at the Columbia Grounds Coffee Shop on 33rd and Central Avenue NE. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. For further information, contact Ryan Curry, at 612-578-8922. CPNA Board meetings are generally held the 3rd Monday of each month at the Columbia Park Manor, unless otherwise noted. We are at a crucial crossroads. If we do not have additional participation, we will not have the "capacity" to continue. Thank you.