Residents gather to rebuild gazebo, community

Volunteers will gather today in the Roy Nelms Park in St. Elmo to rebuild a gazebo that was decimated during the April storms.

And while the idea was born in the mind of Andrew Kean, St. Elmo resident and president of See Rock City Inc., he is quick to say bringing the project to fruition is the work of many more people.

"There's a large team of people who are all pulling up the oars to make this a great day," Kean said in an interview.

He said he passes the park each day as he drives to work, and noticed the gazebo had not been repaired since being "demolished" by the April storms.

"I just kept thinking, 'Man, I've got to get off my ... feet, gather some folks and we've just got to go out and build a new gazebo,'" Kean said.

Working with Kean are several community organizations, including CreateHere, Chattanooga Stand and the St. Elmo Neighborhood Association.

"This project is an example of how one idea can engage and bring communities together," Teal Thibaud of Chattanooga Stand wrote in an email.

Earlier this year, the group distributed a survey to region residents asking how they believed the area could be improved, including what actions could be taken to do so within the community. Results showed volunteering to be among the chief actions toward community improvement and rebuilding.

"It's really about placemaking and identifying ways that people can connect with their community and come up with creative ideas to turn places into function," said Dave Walker, a copy writer at CreateHere.

The challenge, Kean said, was to come up with a project that could be completed in a short amount of time. What he didn't expect, however, was to have such a strong response to the effort as to only need one day.

Kevin Osteen, vice president of the neighborhood association and owner of Osteen Construction, is spearheading the actual rebuilding project.

"It's really become something bigger than what it started out as," said Kean, "which is let's rebuild a gazebo that was once there. I'm looking at it as an opportunity."

The hope, he said, is that out of this project, somebody else can apply the principles of revitalization and community involvement to his or her own neighborhood.

In addition to rebuilding a gazebo, the day will include additional park improvements, such as flower planting. Several local bands, including Gerle Haggard, will be on hand. Collective Clothing, a St. Elmo vintage store, will be holding a rummage sale. Refreshments will be served.