Update 12.21 (Jessica)

I wanted to document everything we have done before now so that we don't forget the early stages.
1. Contacted several Nashville grass-roots community groups to find a plot of land for "Vacant Lot Project"- stumbled upon the Murrell School playground when visiting the Community Garden behind it and "Vacant Lot Project" turned into "Playground Project"
2. Met with Phyllis and Susan (principal) from Murrell School and talked about idea and presented "project plan"- Susan took care of contacting the School Board and getting their permission / committment for development of the space
3. Met with Community Development Office at Vanderbilt about refining the project plan and presenting our ideas to other organizations in the Nashville community for their support
4. Met with Fred Royals of the School Board to talk about the School Board's role and playground equipment options (that would meet ADA requirements, specificially).
5. Continued contact with Murrell School and presented idea at faculty meeting and to student body (and asked for their input and desires for space)
6. Finalized project plan and began asking local organizations for their support.

Personally- so far over break I havn't had much success with local businesses:
Nissan is out and I am waiting to hear back from the Preditors (Sommet Center) and Midtown Community Church. Otherwise I wasn't able to get in touch with anyone interested in helping. I am waiting on Phyllis to get back to me about Caterpillar and Tractor Co.

In the meantime I am still adjusting the Project Plan (as I just heard back from friend, Chuck (in Chattanooga) who is a landscaper and had some good ideas for plants/cost of landscaping renovations. I am also waiting to hear back from Lauren (Vanderbilt) about the ways her office can contribute (her name was given to me from the Community Development Office).

Talk to you all soon.