The Dixboro Village Green, Past, Present, and Future
Most everyone knows that the land (almost an acre) between our church (on the north), Plymouth Road (on the south), Short Street (on the east), and the Moonwinks Café, etc. (on the west), is owned by DUMC and is historically called the Village Green. The Green has been used over the decades for the Scout cabin (now in Ed. Martin’s backyard), an ice rink in the winter, the Dixboro Fair/Festival in August, a neighborhood ball diamond, outdoor church services, and a place for local neighbors to walk their dogs.
The Green also houses the old, one-room, brick Dixboro Schoolhouse, which is also owned by the church, but is in need of much repair. Although it was used as a meeting place for the youth a couple decades ago, it was primarily unused due to lack of water, plumbing (bathrooms), and heat.
In 2012, a dedicated group of DUMC members and neighborhood community members had this grand idea to enhance the Green for community gatherings and renovate the schoolhouse. That led to the creation of Dixboro Village Green, Inc. (DVG) as a 501c3 organization, whose purpose was to restore the schoolhouse and make the Green a welcoming place for community gatherings of all kinds within the guidelines of the Methodist Book of Discipline. A “Use Agreement” with all the necessary legalese is in place between DVG and DUMC for use of the Green. A rental fee for use of the Green is paid to DUMC. The DVG board members meet every two to four weeks in the church Parlor to deal with the business of DVG.
So where are we now? Briefly, this is what has been accomplished over the last 6 years by the DVG:
DUMC has a presence at the Markets with C.O.O.L. Kids at the Market, Trunk or Treat (October 26, 2018), and Cars on the Green (September 14, 2018).
Other completed DVG projects:
And where are we going? Be sure to read the next CHIMES for updates on our continued collaborations with Superior Township, planned landscape improvements, the new pavilion, and proposed community events for the Dixboro Village Green.
The work of DVG, although a separate entity, is perfectly in sync with DUMC’s mission of outreach to our community and neighbors. We have a developed a very successful collaboration.
How can you help today?
Volunteer to help with the Market (set up and tear down), help with parking cars at events such as the Car Show coming September 14, 2018, and/or donate to the ongoing expenses of running the Market. Contact Tom Freeman, President of the DVG Board of Directors, or other Board Members, Carl Johns, Barbara Scheffer, and Brian Anderson for questions or how to help.
The Green also houses the old, one-room, brick Dixboro Schoolhouse, which is also owned by the church, but is in need of much repair. Although it was used as a meeting place for the youth a couple decades ago, it was primarily unused due to lack of water, plumbing (bathrooms), and heat.
In 2012, a dedicated group of DUMC members and neighborhood community members had this grand idea to enhance the Green for community gatherings and renovate the schoolhouse. That led to the creation of Dixboro Village Green, Inc. (DVG) as a 501c3 organization, whose purpose was to restore the schoolhouse and make the Green a welcoming place for community gatherings of all kinds within the guidelines of the Methodist Book of Discipline. A “Use Agreement” with all the necessary legalese is in place between DVG and DUMC for use of the Green. A rental fee for use of the Green is paid to DUMC. The DVG board members meet every two to four weeks in the church Parlor to deal with the business of DVG.
So where are we now? Briefly, this is what has been accomplished over the last 6 years by the DVG:
- The Dixboro Farmers’ Market was established and is operating every Friday from 3-7 pm on the Green from late May through the end of October. There is one paid staff, the market manager, and several very dedicated volunteers from the church and the neighborhood to help set up, run the Market, and tear down afterward. We can always use more helpers by the way
- The Artisan’s Market joins the Farmers’ Market on the 4th Friday of each month during the growing season, but the Artisan’s also provide their goods at the Thanksgiving Market (November 20, 2018, 10am to 2pm in the Fellowship Hall) and the Holiday Market (December 8, 2018, 10am to 4pm in the Fellowship Hall).
DUMC has a presence at the Markets with C.O.O.L. Kids at the Market, Trunk or Treat (October 26, 2018), and Cars on the Green (September 14, 2018).
Other completed DVG projects:
- 2015: Added parking on Short Street with gravel and stone.
- 2016: Removal of invasive and dying trees; installation of two new Dixboro Village welcome signs, one located at Dixboro Rd. and Plymouth Rd, and one located at Plymouth Rd. by the Tanglewood subdivision; installation of a new Dixboro Village Green sign; replacement of the schoolhouse roof and belfry; made the schoolhouse bell operational; added a mini lending library at the front of the schoolhouse; painted the school house fascia and eves; restored the school house doors; planted new Sugar Maple trees on the Green.
- 2017: Replaced the Washtenaw County Historic District signs on the Green; tuck-point repairs to the schoolhouse brick; used a $2,000 grant to purchase three sturdy new outdoor picnic tables for the Green.
- 2018: Trimming of the Sugar Maple trees, funding secured for architectural drawings for the new pavilion.
And where are we going? Be sure to read the next CHIMES for updates on our continued collaborations with Superior Township, planned landscape improvements, the new pavilion, and proposed community events for the Dixboro Village Green.
The work of DVG, although a separate entity, is perfectly in sync with DUMC’s mission of outreach to our community and neighbors. We have a developed a very successful collaboration.
How can you help today?
Volunteer to help with the Market (set up and tear down), help with parking cars at events such as the Car Show coming September 14, 2018, and/or donate to the ongoing expenses of running the Market. Contact Tom Freeman, President of the DVG Board of Directors, or other Board Members, Carl Johns, Barbara Scheffer, and Brian Anderson for questions or how to help.
