Dear Neighbors,

For over 50 years The Ashland Park Neighborhood Association (APNA) has existed to improve the overall quality of life in the historic Ashland Park Neighborhood and to support the commonwealth of its members. In past years we have managed an active social schedule, bringing neighbors together for adult gatherings and family picnics.
 
During the Covid era, those gatherings have been impossible to maintain safely however your neighborhood association has still been busy! Among other things we have:

• Promoted the health of our neighborhood restaurants by sponsoring "to go dinners"
• Created three self guided walks highlighting our healthy tree canopy, our architectural diversity while celebrating our 100-year-old homes, and the interesting and unique shutter cut-out designs in our neighborhood
• Continued the tradition of providing a "welcome basket" to new neighbors
• Celebrated spring with the distribution of zinnia seeds to each home and placed flowering pots at each of the historical signs in our neighborhood
• Sponsored an evening holiday lights walk with cookies and hot chocolate available at 6 houses throughout our neighborhood
• Monitored the requests for approval of changes to the exterior of homes through the Historic Commission
• Managed the health of our trees, replaced trees where appropriate, and worked with the city to maintain our public spaces
• Worked with neighbors who created a pollinator garden and placed a new memorial bench in Harvey Park
• Monitored and advocated for action regarding a case of home abandonment and disrepair

Plans for the coming year include a curated walk through the Ashland Park historical marker trail in cooperation with the Ashland Neighborhood Association and the Ashland Estate, a bourbon tasting, a campaign to add benches in several places in our neighborhood and replace some of the benches in the Hanover median.
 
We will continue to advocate for our neighborhood, sponsoring a forum with the three candidates for Council, keeping you informed through our emailed newsletter and postings to our website: ashlandparklexky.com.
 
Please help us continue to improve the quality of life for ALL of our neighbors by renewing or joining the APNA. We will be dropping off a membership form to homes. You may renew via the website or by mail or drop off to our Membership Chair, Bill Loggins. Watch for our notice and for things happening in our neighborhood! Please call or email with questions, comments, or interest in getting involved!
 
Thank you! All the best for 2022!!
Sara
 
Sara Smith, APNA President
saragrinnellsmith@gmail.com
859.221.0459