Photos: English Cave Community Garden Party

The English Cave Community Garden Party was a beautiful evening with friends old and new. Neighbors, board members, gardeners, and Gateway Greening staff joined us throughout the night for drinks, snacks, and garden tours.

At the end of the night, attendees were invited to enter a drawing to win a selection of plants from our friends and neighbors at Flowers & Weeds. Others left with samples from the garden, including cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, kale, and purple beans.

Thanks again to all who attended and to everyone who helped us put this event together. For more information on getting involved at the English Cave Community Garden, email Bill Kranz at garden@bentonpark.org. For a list of future BPNA events, check out our Events Calendar.

YouthWorks Volunteers at the English Cave Community Garden

On Monday July 8, 2019, seven YouthWorks volunteers, two organizers and two chaperones visited the English Cave Community Garden (ECCG) with only one focus in mind — to work and work hard for two-and-a-half hours in the garden.

They were joined by Tim Beam, ECCG gardener and grass cutter pro and leader Bill Kranz, another grass cutting pro. Here is what this team looked like after the session was over.

Photo by Tim Beam

This effort was planned to help spruce up the garden for the upcoming garden celebration event on Saturday, July 13th from 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. We celebrate being in Gateway Greening’s Land Trust and invite you to attend. It is potluck style but the BPNA will be providing food and drink as well. The garden’s address is 1960 Provenchere Place.

Questions? Email garden@bentonpark.org. For more information on YouthWorks, look this link over: youthworks.com/about-us.

Photos: June 2019 Concert in the Park

Thanks to all who came out for another successful installment in our Summer Event Series! The rain stopped just in time for Sunday’s concert in the park with Whoa Thunder and The Wayward Souls. Mark your calendars for our next event: The English Cave Community Garden Party on Saturday, July 13.

A Look Back at Blues in the Park 2019

Thanks to all who made it out for Blues in the Park 2019! The weather couldn’t have been better for a night of music from Blues City Swing, food from Benton Park’s own Yemanja Brasil, and the company of neighbors.

Mark your calendars for our next event: Concert in the Park on June 23, 2019 featuring The Wayward Souls and main act Whoa Thunder.

Meeting Minutes: May 2019

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Location: Epiphany U.C.C. Fellowship Hall, 2911 McNair Avenue

Meeting brought to order: 7:05 PM

BPNA Board Members Present: Don Morgan (President), Colin Clark (Secretary), Liz Gerard (Treasurer), Kay Parish (Membership and Volunteers), Jim Gau, Holly Nighbert, Dan Guenther, Cheyenne Langkamp, Katherine Leonard

Total members present: 23 (satisfies quorum requirements) 

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I.               Welcome by Don Morgan, President

II.             Presentation from Michael Dauphin, St. Louis City Assessor (link to presentation materials)

a.     Assessor’s office covers personal property, mapping & platting and real property taxes/assessments/permits (about the accessors office)

b.     Real property tax rate is 8.42% (more information on property tax rates)

c.     Reassessment letters being mailed out in May; will include detailed explanation regarding appeals process, which includes both formal and informal stages (see timeline for assessments and appeals)

d.     NOTE: If you do not receive a mailer from the City Assessor’s office regarding your real estate taxes within the next two (2) weeks, please contact the City Assessor’s office at (314) 622-4185.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

e.     See flyer from City Assessor’s presentation titled “Benton Park Neighborhood Housing Summary” for additional contact information and statistics.

III.           Police Report from Officer Khoudian

a.     Total crime has increased 92% year over year through April (total crimes reported increased from 14 as of 4/30/18 to 4/27/19) – spike mainly attributed to porch thefts

b.     Certain crimes occurred or began in other areas but were reported in Benton Park, so are included in neighborhood crime statistics

c.     Experienced incidents of delayed reporting – remember to call immediately when a crime has occurred

d.     Remember to turn on porch lights at night

e.     If packages are stolen from your porch, contact sender to inquire about sending again, then SLMPD as soon as possible

f.      3rd District Community Outreach Meeting 

i.     June 13, 2019 at 6:45 PM, 2832 Arsenal Street

g.     For crime statistics and current updates, Google “SLMPD crime map” or “SLMPD calls for service”

IV.           Approval of Minutes from April Meeting

a.     Motion to Approve > Second > Approved

V.             New Members

a.     Elvia (Arsenal & Missouri)

 i.     Plans to spearhead campaign to raise awareness about safe ways to feed ducks in Benton Park

b.     Louise (Cherokee)

 i.     Has commercial space coming available to new tenant

VI.           Treasurer’s Report – Liz Gerard, Treasurer

a.     Budget and Profit/Loss show figures through end of last month

b.     Budget available on BPNA website

c.     Need to continue bringing in new funding – events average $1.5K each

VII.         Alderman’s Report – Dan Guenther

a.     Legislative Update 

i.     Prop 2 (statewide medical marijuana) – Examining different ways to zone the growing, processing, testing and distribution of medical marijuana in St. Louis

ii.     Board Bill 11 (concerns planned reduction of Board of Aldermen from 28 to 14) – currently examining ways to maintain efficiencies in the event of a Board reduction

iii.     Board Bill 16 (requiring public vote on privatization of airport)

b.     Tree Planting

i.     Planted approximately 250 trees last month with group of volunteers

ii.     Still have approximately 50 trees left – can contact Dan via email (see City website) to request one be planted in front of your property

c.     MSD/Parks Project

i.     Benton Park lagoon and round pond will have floating water level monitoring device installed to shut off water flow when level rises too high 

ii.     Fountain to be installed in big pond in Benton Park – will provide aeration and help regulate water temperature, which should help reduce annual fish kill

d.     City Budget

i.     Property values are increasing and revenue is steady, so not experiencing many cuts

ii.     Additions to budget for demolition of vacant buildings owned by LRA

e.     Neighborhood Crime

 i.     Package thefts are significant problem

1.     Certain neighborhoods have package drop-off locations to keep deliveries from sitting around during the day; will take receipt of packages from carrier and store for pickup by owner

 2.     Dan has spoken with Joel, who owns the gas station at Arsenal & Lemp, about becoming a designated package drop-off location

ii.     Porch Lights – Ameren has a program to assist in the purchase of new porch lights

iii.     Camera Systems 

1.     Would like to create committee to maintain database of properties with security cameras that can be used to assist SLMPD in investigations of neighborhood crimes

2.     Neighborhood associations provide SLMPD with information about homes with security cameras and contact information for owners of cameras – police will try to contact owner via phone to obtain potentially helpful footage

3.     Barb Potts recommended resurrecting the neighborhood safety committee to spearhead the gathering of information regarding neighborhood security cameras

iv.     Street Lights

1.     Dan and Barb Potts perform audits of street

2.     Call (314) 647-3111 to report burned out street lights

v.     Neighborhood Parking

1.     Call (314) 622-4800 to request curb painting

2.     More tickets are being issued for parking violations

VIII.       George Jones from SLACO

a.     Saturday, June 29, St. John the Baptist Church

b.     Table is $180 for 8 people – BPNA is sponsoring a table for neighborhood residents from budgeted donation money 

c.     Sign-up sheet was circulated during meeting, but please contact board through BPNA website to express interest in attending trivia night

IX.          Building Review Committee

a.     Former Missouri Title building is being redeveloped by Mastermind Vodka

i.     Must go before Board of Adjustments for approval

ii.     Experiencing some opposition from neighbors with respect to operation of a bar, but facility will be focused on distilling of various spirits and operation of a hospitality room, not operation of a full-time bar

iii.     Mastermind currently operates from Pontoon Beach, IL

iv.     Mastermind intends for Benton Park building to become the site of its main production facility

v.     Motion to deliver letter of support in favor of Mastermind’s redevelopment of the site à seconded à motion carried (unanimously); letter of support to be provided by BPNA

X.            Dog Park Committee – Nicole Poston, Committee President

a.     Grand Opening is May 25 (details)

b.     Goal is to install fencing by May 17, but no later than May 20

c.     Water line, fence panels and trees are being installed by third party contractors

d.     City has approved signs (with hours of operation and contact information) and benches, agility stairs

e.     Continuing to push for additional fundraising

i.     Concrete is a significant cost not covered by Purina or Greater Good

ii.     Benches ($600) and agility stairs ($1000) are now available for sponsorship online – BPNA will provide complimentary plaque that can be customized by sponsor

iii.     Bricks ($50/ea) available for purchase online – can be engraved with 3-4 lines of text

f.      Board of Public Service approved permit for park – will be posted on site at park for public viewing next week

g.     Dog Park Committee needs approval from BPNA membership to accept donations in excess of $500

i.     Motion to allow Dog Park Committee to accept one (1) existing donation of $840 from Jared Ewing for t-shirts, signs and banners, and authorize Dog Park Committee to receive one (1) requested donation from Lowe’s in excess of $500 for concrete à seconded à motion carries

ii.     Don Morgan suggested that we post information regarding source and amounts of future large donations on BPNA website

h.     Proposed change to bylaws to authorize committee chair or executive board member to accept donations in excess of $500 during periods between meetings; to be presented to the membership at the next meeting – will be posted on BPNA website for review prior to actual consideration at future meeting

XI.          Garden Committee – Bill Kranz, Committee Chair

a.     Party in garden anticipated for July 13 – more information here

b.     Cave exploration temporarily at a standstill while activity in the garden ramps up

c.     Two new beer vaults recently discovered underground; these two vaults are part of a separate project in North St. Louis and associated with Spengler's Cave.

XII.        Marketing Committee – Katherine Leonard 

a.     New website is LIVE!

b.     Visit bpnastl.org to check it out.

XIII.      St. Louis Neighborhood Tours

a.     Sunday, May 26, 2:00-5:00PM – next historical tour of Benton Park

b.     Tour will have 36 different stops and will be filled with historical facts about the neighborhood

c.     Purchase tickets now ($15) at Eventbrite – visit St. Louis History and Architecture page on Facebook for link

XIV.      Events 

a.     Upcoming Events

i.     April 28 – Food truck pop-up was a success; STL Food Truck Association gave back over $1200 to Benton Park neighborhood organizations

ii.     May 19 – first concert in Benton Park

 iii.     June 23 – concert in Benton Park (Whoa Thunder; Wayward Souls)

b.     Still need volunteers for all events!  See information on BPNA website to express interest.

XV.        Announcements

a.     Work being done by Spire in Benton Park

i.     Utilities take precedence, so Spire is not required to notify residents prior to commencing work.

ii.     Spire currently in the process of moving meters from inside your house to outside – DO NOT allow meter to be moved to the front of your house

 iii.     Call Barb Potts or Dan Guenther if Spire has completed their work and the depression left from the access hole has not been filled in and leveled by the City

 iv.     BPNA board will attempt to schedule a representative from Spire to attend the June general meeting to discuss work in the neighborhood

b.     New Benton Park plaques being ordered – more information to follow 

c.     Homeless population in Benton Park

i.     Homeless Services has attempted to intervene

ii.     SLMPD is aware of situation

iii.     Neighbors have agreed to address particular individuals of concern

d.     ATTENDANCE PRIZES – Generously donated by Flowers and Weeds

Meeting adjourned – 9:07 PM 

/s/ Colin C. Clark                                                       

Secretary

Meet the Board: Dan Guenther, Parks Committee Chair

This month, we’re introducing members of the BPNA board and committees. Meet Dan Guenther, Parks Committee Chair and Board Member at Large for the Benton Park Neighborhood Association.

Name: Dan Guenther

BPNA Role: Parks Committee Chair & Board Member at Large

What I hope to accomplish with BPNA: I really enjoy gardening in our parks (we have four of them), so my goal is to make our neighborhood have the best green-space possible.

I work in: I'm your Alderman :)

Favorite neighborhood spot: So many. Venice Cafe or the actual Benton Park when the weather is warm, or Dick Pointer's house.

Benton Park resident since: 2002

Benton Park Home Featured in St. Louis Magazine

In February, St. Louis Magazine featured the home of Benton Park couple Ann and Richard Higby.  

“When we came into this place, it was an absolute disaster,” Higby said of the carriage house, built in 1866. After renovating the space, the couple hosted neighbors for BPNA’s first annual Tunes on Tap event. Read the full story from St. Louis Magazine and stay tuned for details on BPNA’s next Tunes on Tap event.

Photos courtesy of St. Louis Magazine.

Meet the Board: Liz Gerard, Treasurer

This month, we’re introducing members of the BPNA board and committees. Meet Liz Gerard, treasurer of the Benton Park Neighborhood Association.

Name: Liz Gerard

BPNA Role: Treasurer. I help out with social media as well

What I hope to accomplish with BPNA: Connect with neighbors who aren’t involved with BPNA and increase attendance at our fabulous event series

I work in: Financial research

Favorite neighborhood spot: Mud House

Benton Park resident since: 2017

Bio: Originally from Chicago, Liz moved to St. Louis in 2010 for college. She fell in love with the city’s architecture and rich history, and lived in several south city neighborhoods before buying a condo in Benton Park. Liz works in syndication for U.S. Bank Community Development Corporation, where she helps manage funds of tax credit investments. She is passionate about affordable housing and historic preservation. For fun, she enjoys traveling, biking, photography and exploring new hiking spots in the Midwest.

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For more information or to get involved, you can email Liz at treasurer@bentonpark.org.

Meet the Board: Nicole Poston, Benton Park Dog Park President

This month, we’re introducing members of the BPNA board and committees. Meet Nicole Poston, president of the Benton Park Dog Park Committee.

Name: Nicole Poston

BPNA Role: Benton Park Dog Park Committee President

What I hope to accomplish with BPNA: Reach our fundraising goal and begin construction on the Benton Park Dog Park in Fremont Park

I work in: Elementary Education

Favorite neighborhood spot: Flowers & Weeds

Benton Park resident since: 2016

Bio: I live just a block north of Benton Park Park and work in North Country teaching in the Riverview Gardens district for Special School District. Autism is my passion! I am often involved in some sort of fundraising effort for the world of special education.

I have two dogs in our semi-family with my boyfriend, both pitbulls and a mix. Their names are Samantha Jones and Avery. I have been working diligently for the last two years to fundraise for the dog park and make the lives of all pups better!! The dog park started as a passion project for my pup Ted who has since crossed the rainbow bridge, but I'm tirelessly working to keep my promise to him, #Teddytwopaws I am an obsessive dog mom and I genuinely enjoy making Benton Park the best neighborhood in south city.

When I'm not dog park promoting or hanging out with my dogs I'm enjoying a delicious craft beer or cocktail, (whoop! whoop! for Harrison @ Small Change) or crafting something, or looking for a new dinner recipe. Sometimes I'm simultaneously doing all three all three! 

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For more information on the Benton Park Dog Park or to get involved, email bentonparkdogpark@gmail.com. 

Meet the Board: Bill Kranz, English Cave Community Garden Chair

This month, we’re introducing members of the BPNA board and committees. Meet Bill Kranz, chair of the English Cave Community Garden Committee.

Name: Bill Kranz

BPNA Role: Leader of the English Cave Community Garden

What I hope to accomplish with BPNA: To secure "Goal 3": Bring back English Cave for mushroom farming, historical research and guided tours.

I work in: The Domain of Arts and Neighborhood Enhancements

Favorite neighborhood spot: English Cave Community Garden

Benton Park resident since: 2001

Bio: As a just retired community elder, I bring great experience in the blacklight theatre arts, a fascination with our underground history, and patronizing the closest bar that has Guinness on tap.

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For more information on the English Cave Community Garden, email Bill at celestialtheatre@gmail.com.