Will changing environment bring social change?

Salem Housing Community Development Corporation, neighborhood groups, the city and Land Bank personnel teamed up with MSU in a three-year study aimed at answering the question — "What else changes when you change the physical landscape?"

The project leader is Dr. Thom Nikolai, an academic specialist with the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology and recognized world expert in turf grass management.

The project site includes two city parks and several vacant properties adjacent to the parks.

"The functional aspect of this project is to develop grass that is good for the area — low maintenance and a good filter for ground water that protects against potential liabilities," Nikolai said.

"We're also looking at the economic aspect. Does it cost the city more to maintain grassy areas and thereby attract business or does it cost the city more by leaving parks uncared for and lose potential business?" Nikolai said.

"At this point we are finishing up the first year which was setting up the study," Nikolai continued. "We started mowing in Ramona and McKinley Parks and are moving out from those points. We should have a running start for next season," Nikolai added.

Stephen Gasteyer, assistant professor of the department of sociology at MSU, weighted in on sociability matters of the project.

"Yes, it's about turf grass and more," said Gasteyer. "It's about what happens when you change the landscape. Does the physical change provide an impetus for social change? What changes when you change the turf from uncared for to cared for? Will social interaction change? Will the park become a place where people get to know each other? Will it become a safer place?

To answer these questions and others Gasteyer developed surveys through which neighborhood groups could identify and quantify changes that are and will be occurring.

"One of our challenges is to figure out how to survey people who don't trust the people who are knocking at their door," Gasteyer said.

Gasteyer sees the project as an investment in the community.

"It's an exciting experiment in understanding relationships of people in cities and the space they live in," he said. "This project could have lessons for others in cities across the nation who are struggling with the same issues as Flint."

Bill Hammond, executive director of Salem Housing Community Development Corporation, said one of their project goals was to incorporate the vacant lots owned by the Genesee County Land Bank and expand Romona Park.

"We're also looking for a suitable turf grass from those we planted on these vacant lots to see what will grow best," Hammond said.

"And there's the psychological component of the project — to track how these changes affect the community," Hammond continued.

The difference is truly astounding," said Metawanenee Hills Neighborhood Association member David Caswell. "There's been a multitude of amazing changes. The park's a breathtaking site. Before we started the project the area was a dark, dank wild jungle with lots of safety hazards. Now the natural terrain has returned," Caswell said pointing to the work done at Ramona Park.

"All kinds of social events are happening at the park," Caswell continued. "There was even a birthday party at the park. People surrounding the area are becoming involved in the community. They are reporting drug operations and other illegal activity. I've seen some of them mowing the grass."

According to Caswell, no taxpayer money was used for the manual labor at the parks.

"We used volunteers from New Paths Alternative," Caswell said.

"We did a tremendous amount of work cutting trees and teaching our volunteers how to handle saws," said Alan Ogle, project manager at New Paths Alternative. "We cut the wood in cords and the community came to pick up the wood. We also taught our volunteers from New Paths how to use a wood chipper. Both men and women volunteered for this work."

According to Nikolai, the project is paid for in part by contributions to MSU from donors like Scott Lawn and Garden Products, John Deere Tractor, the Michigan Turf Grass Foundation and Michigan Department of Agricultural Extension Service.

"Kudos to the Flint Golf Club too," Nikolai said. They provide storage for our equipment."