Better Block SGF

🌳 Something is coming to Schaible Lake Park this fall… 👀
But before we make a move, we want to hear from you!

What would make Schaible Lake Park a better place to gather, move, relax, play, and connect? We’re dreaming up what’s next — and your ideas can help shape it.

So take a stroll through the park, check out our survey sign, and tell us what you think. 📋✨

Take the survey. Share your ideas. Help shape the park.

A big thank-you to our presenting sponsor, Centerstone (Burrell Behavioral Health) and our safety sponsor, CoxHealth for helping make this community engagement possible! 💚

👉 Scan the QR code in the photo to take the survey.

Schaible Lake Park + your ideas = something good coming this fall. 👀

The Make Something Where You Are mural is beginning its next chapter.

This morning, Better Block SGF removed the mural from the Newberry Building on Park Central Square as the building moves into its next phase of redevelopment.

The mural was always intended as a temporary installation—created to transform a vacant building into a place that inspired people to see possibility. Over nearly two years, it became part of downtown’s backdrop, showing up in everyday moments, events, and photos along the way.

Today, with the building entering its next phase of redevelopment, we're proud to say it accomplished exactly that.

But this isn't goodbye.

Later this summer, the mural will begin its next chapter at The Holler, where it will continue bringing color, creativity, and community to another transformational project.

Stay tuned as we prepare to reinstall the mural and celebrate its new home.

More soon 💙

What a day! 💙

Today, Better Block SGF welcomed our very first United Way Ozarks Region Day of Caring volunteers!

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible crew from Dynamic DNA Labs & Missouri State University for rolling up their sleeves and tackling one of those projects that's been on our wish list for way too long.

Our garage is where all the magic (and a little chaos 😅) happens. Today, this amazing team painted, sanded, cleaned, and organized the space that stores all the supplies and materials we use to bring community spaces to life.

The best part? We made room for even more activation materials, which means we're even more ready for what's next.

The best community projects start long before the first bench, mural, or pop-up goes in. Thanks to this crew, we're ready for many more to come.

Now... who's ready for the next activation? 👀✨

🎉 We love a good Block Party... and this is definitely one worth celebrating!

We're incredibly grateful to have received an Arts & Culture Program Support Grant from the Springfield Regional Arts Council, with funding made possible through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation.

Good things happen when communities come together, and we're thankful for partners who believe in the power of creative placemaking and community-driven ideas.

Thank you to SRAC, CFO, and the Musgrave Foundation for investing in Better Block SGF and helping us continue building a more vibrant Springfield.

We've got some exciting things in the works, and we can't wait to share what's next. Stay tuned! 👀

🪄MAKE SOMETHING WHERE YOU ARE.

That’s how movements begin.
That’s how places come alive.

This weekend, the Route 66 Centennial Celebration kicks off right here in Springfield — the starting point for celebrating 100 years of the Mother Road.

And our city is showing up.
🎶 Concerts
🎉 Parades
🎨 Art
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family fun

Stories unfolding on every block.

To help point people toward the action, we added a few event posters to our mural — a small move to connect people to place.

That’s what Better Block is all about: small moves that create connection, spark curiosity, and remind us that vibrant places are built by the people who show up for them.

So get out there this weekend. Wander. Explore. Celebrate.
And if you see an opportunity to make something better where you are — take it.

We’re excited to share some big news for Better Block SGF!

Rachael Walsh has been named our first Executive Director, stepping into the role on March 9. Many in our community may already know Rachael through her work with Care to Learn, United Way of the Ozarks, and her recent service on the Better Block SGF Board of Directors.

Rachael brings a passion for community connection and a strong background in nonprofit leadership. She will help guide the next chapter of Better Block SGF’s work supporting vibrant neighborhoods, people-centered places, and community-driven placemaking across Springfield.

We’re grateful for the support of our partners, volunteers, and neighbors who continue to help make this work possible.

Read the full announcement: https://mailchi.mp/betterblocksgf.org/exciting_news

💛 We want to say thank you for support in 2025.

This year, Better Block SGF didn’t just run events — we helped build connections, create gathering spaces, and turn ideas into action.

From local events to placemaking efforts… everything we do is possible because of you. Our volunteers. Our sponsors. Our partners. Our community.

Today is Giving Tuesday — You can help us to continue creating space for people, place, and possibility in Springfield.

Please consider a donation if you are able.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PRJGYMQ7Y2GJJ

This year, Better Block SGF did more than host events — we built connections, created gathering places, and turned good ideas into real change.

From Primrose Park to Park(ing) Day, Overlay, and Celebrate Springfield, everything we do is powered by one thing: our community.

Better Block SGF creates hands-on, short-term projects that show what else is possible for Springfield’s streets, spaces, neighborhoods, and businesses.
Temporary projects. Lasting impact.

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, sponsor, and neighbor who made this year possible. 💛

Looking for ways to give for GivingTuesday?
Feel free to get started now by donating to Better Block SGF.

Click the link to Donate:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PRJGYMQ7Y2GJJ

🚧✨ Let’s Build Something Amazing Together! ✨🚧
Better Block SGF is getting ready for our installations at Overlay Art & Culture Festival, and we need your creativity, energy, and hands-on help to bring the vision to life.

This is your chance to roll up your sleeves, get creative, and help shape a one-of-a-kind community experience. Tomorrow kicks off the first of our two volunteer build days — come be part of this exciting community placemaking effort!

1️⃣ VOLUNTEER BUILD, PAINT, & PREP | DAY 1 – Test runs of new structures, light construction work, painting, and some maintenance on existing seating and activations to ensure everything is ready for the big day.

2️⃣ VOLUNTEER BUILD DAY | EVENT SETUP – Assembly, construction, and placement of structures and activations, plus a little gardening to bring the festival footprint to life.
These builds won’t just make Overlay Fest amazing — they’ll also become lasting pieces of the Better Block SGF toolkit for years to come. 🌱

💛 Come be part of bringing this vision to life!
Please dress to get a little dirty and bring work gloves if you have them.