Family Day in Slay Park, June 10, 2017
June 10th’s Family Day in Slay Park marks the Ellendale Neighborhood Association’s second major social event since its reorganization just 20 months ago.
The Family Day will begin at 4:00 p.m. and go to 8:00 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs and come to Slay Park (down by the ball fields) to spend some time with your neighbors.
“This is a great opportunity for us to meet our neighbors outside the formalities of our membership meetings,” said Matt Sisul, President of the Association. “I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable afternoon.”
Special features of the event will be a bounce house for kids with games and activities including bubbles and chalk drawing as well as backyard games like washers and bags.
Live music will be provided by Hi-Tec Entertainment featuring Gary Gray — one of Ellendale’s very own residents. Starting twenty years ago at Saint Louis University, Gary had been performing with bands around St. Louis and did a benefit at the university as a one man performer. This led to many requests for performances around town. Hi-Tec Entertainment performs music from a variety of genres including R&B, blues, Motown music, country, big band, soul, rock, and more.
Several residents volunteered to help bring this event together including long-time residents like Maria and Gary Gray, Mike Harp, ENA officers, and new residents like Carrie Baker and Jill Lowry. “I believe that volunteers are the backbone that make an event a success and I want this event to be successful!” said Maria Gray, a 37-year resident of Ellendale.
“Events like this require a lot of people working together, and we are fortunate to have residents willing to support our goals,” added Matt.
Matt will be manning Ellendale’s information table during the event. Residents are encouraged to stop by and chat to learn more about what the Association has done and what its future goals are. “As president of the organization I want to take advantage of opportunities to promote the Ellendale Neighborhood Association and the work we do for our community.”
Food will be available through a food truck in the parking lot. 2 Girls, 4 Wheels! will be on site with their take on St. Louis style cuisine. Menu items include sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, and sodas. Prices range from $2 to $8. They accept cash and credit cards.
Neighborhood social events are a good way to bring communities together. Resident Mike Harp is excited for the latest Ellendale social event. “I am hoping for a great turnout,” Mike said. ”You never know, but you hope for the best and build on the experience.”
ENA Secretary Barry Marquart is anticipating an active future for the neighborhood. “I’m looking forward to having movies in the park, beautification projects, and neighborhood yard sales,” added Barry.
Mike and many others like ENA Vice President Jacqi Kamp are also looking forward to volunteering and enjoying this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1st. “Like last year, I look forward to having City services like the Fire and Police Departments involved and have even better attendance,” said Jacqi.
Slay Park
Francis R. Slay Park is located at the corner of McCausland and Canterbury Avenues. The park includes two ball fields (with backstops and diamonds), one soccer field, a 1-mile paved walking loop trail, and one full, lighted, tennis court with fencing. Slay park also has restrooms, water fountains, and a playground with slides and climbing features. Recently, Alderman Ogilvie and KaJauna Thomas, the 24th Ward’s Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, helped to get the playground surface updated.
By 2018, the River des Peres Greenway trail will extend from the Lansdowne-Shrewsbury MetroLink station to Slay Park. As a result, residents could travel the Great Rivers Greenway trail system south from Slay Park to Carondelet Park, and someday even Jefferson Barracks Park. Future plans also indicate a connection from Slay Park north to Forrest Park, but dates for this extension are still pending.
####
June 10th Update:
Here is a gallery of images from the event. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.
####