To those living in the Ashwood neighborhood, the dot of land is known simply as “Gilligan’s Island.”
And it had been in rough shape. A patch of grass, shrubs and half-dead trees, most considered it to be an eyesore. The more residents started talking, the more a plan to transform the space took shape.
They imagined beautiful landscaping, lush grass and more, all situated at the end of Dorrell Court.
“We started thinking about a park-like island instead,” said Stephen Knott, a resident in Ashwood.
Months later, the project is finished, and Ashwood has a natural oasis to enjoy as a neighborhood. Born out of a spirit of collaboration and neighborhood pride, the island features new trees, flowers and other plantings, as well as pavers and a bench for socializing.
They decided to name the island Gilligan’s Island after the hit TV show of the same name airing in the 1960s. In the show, characters from all different backgrounds were marooned together on a desert isle in the middle of the ocean.
The characters were all very different, yet came together and learned how to get along, Knott said. Their cooperation was similar to the way Ashwood’s island project progressed.
“It’s going to bring a great enhancement not only to Dorrell Court, but to the Ashwood community at large. From the landscaping standpoint and beautification standpoint, it’s an upgrade,” said Harold Schocke, an 87-year-old resident who has offered to help water the garden. “I hope it sets a precedent for the other islands in the neighborhood.”
At 11 a.m. Aug. 15, the neighborhood will host a military and veterans appreciation event with the unveiling of a bronze plaque and memorial stone — both installed at the island to give thanks to all veterans living in the community. The event will feature a color guard and patriotic music. All veterans are welcome to attend.
“We want to do it up right honor all of the veterans that live in Ashwood, and all veterans,” Knott said.
On a sunny August morning, a sense of serenity stretched down the Dorrell Court. American flags mounted on mailboxes waved in a slight breeze. The sounds of distant lawnmowers echoed among the homes.
Inside the street’s cul-de-sac, pink and orange flowers blossomed with radiance. Three stately pine trees had been arranged on a hill, surrounded by green grass. At one end, a metal bench had been situated for people to stop and sit.
“It’s the greatest thing that ever was,” said Phyllis Barmore, one of the residents of Dorrell Court. “We never believed it would ever look like this.”
The quiet greenspace has been the focus of Dorrell Court residents all year long. Their story started much earlier, as neighbors noted the struggling pine trees and other plants on the island.
Other islands throughout the Ashwood neighborhood were covered in green grass, maturing trees and nicely kept shrubs. But Dorrell Court’s island was looking rough. Nine large overgrown and untrimmed Scotch pines, weeping willows and Norway spruces created an unsightly eyesore.
“The basic premise was to get all of that out of there, which was so bad and looked so overgrown, then start over,” Knott said.
Knott had approached the neighborhood’s homeowners association previously inquiring about funds to redo the street island. He was told none existed in the budget for this year.
So he and his wife, Dixie, gathered a few of their neighbors, including Larry and Marcia Davidson, as well as Judy Hoeping, to form a committee. The group had their first meeting on March 29, sitting down with Terry Kindle, the homeowners association board president, and Brian Biehn, chair of the neighborhood’s landscape committee.
“There’s a lot of negative in the world, so the positivity of the neighborhood coming together and putting ‘skin in the game’ was nice,” Biehn said. “Everyone likes to complain or talk a lot of smack, but it’s uncommon for people to actually do something about that complaint — so it’s nice the neighbors not only came together physically to do the work, but also financially reached into their pockets to make this happen.”
Together, the group laid out plans for revitalizing the island — paid for by donations from anyone who wanted to contribute.
The neighborhood responded with enthusiasm.
“The residents have been amazing in their support. We have had close to 85% participation in raising project costs toward our goals,” Knott said. “Several families made an initial donation and then followed up after hearing more details with a second donation. This has allowed us to add additional enhancements to our plan.
“The Ashwood family cares deeply about the community and our street really stepped up to make this happen.”
The group was able to raise the money to tear out the old trees, then redo the landscaping. In May, Knott spoke before Ashwood’s homeowner’s association board to show them the plan and request additional funding to help push the project toward completion. The board agreed, and the neighbor’s full vision came into focus.
Residents all contributed ideas about what they wanted to see on the island. Working with Primary Grounds, which handles Ashwood landscaping upkeep, organizers put together a working plan for the space’s revitalization. David Black, lead designer for Primary Grounds, helped with tree and plant selection, as well as design.
Work started on the island on June 7. Residents tilled up the landscape beds, pre-dug holes for new trees and removed tree roots. Finally, the old trees were removed and the stumps ground out.
The ground was graded and prepared for planting, while a series of stone outcroppings were created. Pavers were laid, and new flowers, bushes and trees were planted over the summer — Black hills spruce, sun valley maple trees, strongbox inkberry, ruby slipper oakleaf hydrangea and more.
One resident, Nancy Ramey, suggested installing a bench, where people could meet and talk.
“At one of the initial meetings, everyone was tossing out ideas about what they’d like to see. I was just really humbled by everyone’s ideas,” she said. “People walk around here all the time, and when you see people out in the yard, they say hi to you. So I thought that would be cool to come over here and take a break to visit.”
Along the way, they found a few surprises. While prepping the island to be redone, they found two memorial stones buried under the brush. Those stones have been cleaned up and restored on the new island.
A plaque, mounted on a stone boulder, was placed in the center of island. The plaque reads, “In Honor of the Men and Women who serve in the United States Military. Their Bravery and Sacrifice will be remembered.”
Altogether, the project has brought the neighborhood closer together.
“It makes it better for Ashwood, and it makes it better for the city of Greenwood itself,” Schocke said.
IF YOU GO
Military and veterans appreciation event
What: A special community event hosted by the Ashwood neighborhood in Greenwood to recognize military members and veterans. During the event, the neighborhood will unveil a bronze plaque and memorial stone.
When: 11 a.m. Aug. 15
Where: Dorrell Court, Greenwood. The street is in the Ashwood subdivision, just east of the intersection of State Road 135 and Demaree Road. After turning into the subdivision, Dorrell Court is the first road on the right.
Who: All veterans are welcome to attend.
Questions: Contact Stephen Knott, 317-460-0367
