Neighborhood team: Fourth Ward group works to build, improve community

JANESVILLE — Residents of Janesville’s Fourth Ward gathered at their neighborhood park this week, to brainstorm ideas for bettering the neighborhood. While their children played nearby, members of the Fourth Ward Neighborhood Action Team shared ideas and discussed upcoming events and activities.

The action team’s mission is to be a non-confrontational forum that connects people with ideas and resources and takes action to make the Fourth Ward a better place to live. It organizes cleanups and community gatherings, among other initiatives.

Treasurer Kevin Manhart gave a financial report this week of the funds available for events. The group’s spring cleanup was made easier this year when member John Mansur purchased grippers to pick up trash.

“It was really nice to be able to pick up even the smallest bits of trash,” member Neil Deupree said. Deupree also made note of the city cleaning up the streets beforehand, which he said wasn’t planned.

“It was just a coincidence, and they said to let them know next time and they’ll help again,” he said.

Janesville police officer Quinten Wollner provided neighborhood updates at this week’s meeting, such as construction on Johnston Street impacting traffic flow.

Janesville police will be stepping up enforcement for unregistered mini bikes, a problem Wollner said has been ongoing since last summer. Wollner, who joined the police department last year, also said he wants to coordinate more events for youth.

Other initiatives include a quarterly newsletter being drafted and distributed by Brittany Mansur and another community member.

Neighborhood residents take different routes to distribute the newsletter which includes information about future events such as the Fourth of July picnic, end of summer gathering, the Janesville Community Center garden and the Fourth Ward community garden.

Every Saturday at 10 a.m. this summer, neighborhood residents can meet at Wilson Elementary School, 465 Rockport Road, to work on the community garden where vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown to be distributed locally.

The action team is also starting to honor neighbors with a “Yard of the Month.” This is a work in progress. Hard dates for events will be announced on Facebook and in the newsletter.

For more information on the Fourth Ward Neighborhood Action Team, follow it on Facebook.

The next meeting is Tuesday, July 16, with the location to be determined. For questions or to be added to the email list, call (608) 322-2325 or email fourthwardnat@gmail.com.