Bandi Schaum Trailhead

The Bandi Schaum Trailhead is the one and only new project to occur during ReClaim South: Sustaining Momentum. As a Alternate Ambassador in the original cohort, Jamie Balser returned to ReClaim South: Sustaining Momentum in order to do a project of his own in South Side Park.

This project is a labor of love for Jamie. The entrance to the Southside Park is highly underutilized and is a space that Jamie would love to see more active. One way to encourage use of the parks trails is to make the trail head entrances more pronounced and welcoming. Through this project, Jamie has removed invasive plants, created defined native planting beds, and replaced the unsightly Jersey Barriers with more natural looking boulders. To keep the community engaged with the park, Jamie has hosted several fundraising events, birdhouse building days with local children, and plans to have native plant educational sessions.

Jamie was awarded the FedEx Ground Impact Award during ReClaim South: Sustaining Momentum. This award, which provided additional funds and volunteer labor, was given out to an Ambassador which exemplified the spirit of community engagement and passion, as well as demonstrated financial need. As of the summer of 2016, the Bandi Schaum Trailhead had been completed, creating a welcoming space at the entrance of the Bandi Schaum Community Garden and trail system in South Side Park.