Springfield College supported the annual Block Party on the Hill, as the Office of Inclusion and Community Engagement partnered with the Old Hill and Upper Hill Neighborhood Councils in hosting this community event at Samuel A. Bolden Park in Springfield.
Since 2004, Springfield College has hosted the Block Party on the Hill, with more than 1,000 neighbors attending the celebration each year. Starting in 2016, the William N. DeBerry Elementary School was the host site for the event, before moving to Samuel A. Bolden Park this year. This annual event includes individuals being treated to free food, music, and dancing, while also being encouraged to join their local neighborhood councils.
“Our community is a main priority for Springfield College, and we are always thrilled to be able to help host this special event for our neighbors,” said Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper.
This family friendly neighborhood event featured food, music, dancing, an ice cream truck, games, and much more. Representatives from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Mason Square C3 policing unit, Martin Luther King Family Services, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, ReGreen Springfield, CREW, Liberty Tax Service, Phoenix Charter Academy and many community partners joined for the block party.
Springfield College Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement Calvin Hill, Cooper, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno helped kick-start the festivities by greeting neighbors attending from both the Upper Hill and Old Hill neighborhoods.
Hill, Cooper, and Sarno were joined by State Representative Bud L. Williams, School Committee member Barbara Gresham, and president of the Upper Hill Residents Council Adrienne Osborn.
“I want to thank Springfield College, President Mary-Beth Cooper and Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement Dr. Calvin Hill, for their continued community outreach and initiatives with our Old Hill and Upper Hill neighborhoods,” said Sarno. “This year we are able to hold this wonderful community event at our newly created Samuel A. Bolden Park, a fitting location for this heartfelt community neighborhood block party.”
