With Jefferson Elementary School closing its doors come the end of this school year, the community is left wondering what the City of Collinsville has planned for the plot of land where the school currently stands. Will the building be demolished? Will the land be sold and converted into private property, left abandoned, or will it remain in the interest of the public? My proposed solution, turn it into a public park for our community and future generations to enjoy.

Jefferson Park (What can be!)

• Renovate the basketball court.
• Update the playground and add swings.
• Designate a picnicking area.
• Recycle the building materials from the school to build a pavilion and rest area (fitted with restrooms) in the school's place.
• Build a skatepark for skateboards, roller-blades, and bikes.
• Build a splash pad area. (Summertime fun)
• Build a hiking trail around the property.
• Build a community garden for our local food pantry. (Fruit, vegetables, herbs, etc.)
• Plant fruit trees. (For food pantry & locals to enjoy)
• Reintroduce native plant species throughout the property in a wildflower/prairie garden. (Educational)
• Hang up birdhouses and bat boxes. (Also educational)
• Utilize the hillside for sledding in the wintertime.

Our community needs more safe places for our children, friends, and families to enjoy; therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to allow Jefferson Elementary School's legacy to both live on and bring new life within our community. Such a park would motivate our local youth to exercise, socialize, and reenergize in a safe environment; meanwhile, there are endless educational opportunities here as well. This proposal focuses on utilizing this opportunity to give back to our community and make a multi-generational impact, which is what Jefferson Elementary School did for many of us growing up. We can conserve the memory of this school by effectively utilizing the ground it has stood on since 1926, and in the process, we also further enrich our community.

Please sign this petition to bring awareness to this proposal.