Washington Park Neighborhood

Hi,
My name is Federico Diaz, and I am the Washington Park Neighborhood Organizer. It has been a pleasure working with people in the Washington Park Neighborhood. It is encouraging to watch neighbors grow in their own special way. I have enjoyed working side by side with residents because it allows me to engage in thoughtful conversations that strengthen our bond and trust. What I enjoy more than projects and events is the interaction and friendship I have with the many kids who play Indoor Soccer. I hope to continue to serve the residents around Washington Park Neighborhood by building and strengthening relationships in accomplishing a strong and healthy neighborhood.

History

The Washington Park neighborhood was the third and largest neighborhood taken on by C2C, beginning with the Children's Art Wall followed by the installation of playground equipment, projects completed by the Sherwood Community Leadership Classes of 2005 and 2006. The Art Wall created the first sense of neighborhood connection. Of the three neighborhoods, this one has the highest ethnic diversity and a larger concentration of youth activity.

Happenings

Children's Day

This April C2C and the Washington Park neighborhood will be hosting its 6th annual Dia de los Niños in Washington Park. This event has grown to encompass the wholecommunity and includes much good food, music, dancing, and

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games.

Christmas Party

December 2011 saw our fifth annual Washington Park Christmas party held in the Housing Authority gym. It was a lovely event with neighbors bringing homemade tamales and lots of games for the children in the neighborhoods. Santa even made a staring appearance to present gifts to all the children in attendance.

Washington Park Project (Common Gathering Place)

C2C is lucky enough to welcome Milenko Matanovich with his team from the Pomegranate Center to Walla Walla a third time. “The personality of a community springs to life when local residents come together to create a place of significance that will bring them together over and over again,” stated Milenko. “In February 2010, with the help of Milenko, the neighbors in Washington Park started the process of enhancing the park. With the neighbors, Milenko and his team have helped create a plan to bring a stage, outdoor dance floor, seating, picnic places, and walking paths into the park. Pomegranate Center works with local residents to discover their inherent talents and imagine a place that welcomes everyone. C2C, in partnership with the City of Walla Walla Parks & Recreation Department, neighborhood volunteers, and the Pomegranate Center staff built the new “ Gathering Place ” at WA Park the week of September 11-19, 2010.

To learn more about Pomegranate Center, please visit their site at http://www.pomegranate.org/.

Sidewalk Repair

During the summer of 2009 in the Washington Park area, neighbors partnered with neighborhood organizer Federico Díaz to repair sidewalks and remove dead trees. Throughout the summer heat, a small work crew could be seen on different blocks —N.7th, 6th, Pine Streets— jack-hammering, pounding gravel, and smoothing concrete.
Murals

A New Home

In November of 2009, C2C moved offices from Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) to its own location at the Housing Authority Apartments at the end of North 7th Street in the Washington Park Neighborhood. Free classes were offered daily for neighbors during the winter months. Classes included English, computer literacy, and parenting. Both Boys Council and Girls Group are hosted on site.

Murals

“C2C is not an organization that works independent of the local neighborhood. Rather, it seeks to bring people together and empower them to take control of their neighborhood. One way C2C has helped to bring community members together was to paint murals at the underpasses of highway 12 on 13th and 9th Street. The murals were really a device to get people to work together. The interesting thing is that the children were really intimidated by art because they had never done anything this big, but once they got started, they got really into it. It was a vehicle for building relationships."
~ Federico Diaz