EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was written in response to reader-submitted questions through Open Source, a platform where readers can ask Richland Source’s newsroom to investigate a question.
MANSFIELD — There’s a new, fresh symbol of pride at the gateway to the North End of Mansfield.
On the corner of Mulberry and Springmill Streets sits a miniature waterfall and a grassy patch that would be a perfect spot for a springtime picnic.
The charming water feature is part of a beautification process that has been in the works for years and began with the installation of a new, 42-spot parking lot last year, according to Friendly House Assistant Director Greg Mead.
The water features and landscaping were added to the lot, owned by neighboring Friendly House, this spring and summer. The Friendly House hopes to add some additional lighting along with benches and picnic tables in the future. The organization is also in the process of raising funds for a flag and flagpole.
The funds for the project came from an anonymous donor. The donor paid for the services directly, so Mead could not provide the exact cost of the project, but estimated it was in the “hundreds of thousands” of dollars.
“We’ve never seen one bill, so we have no idea (the exact amount),” Mead said. “It was a very, very generous donation.”
The Friendly House was established in 1913 and has operated at its present site since 1949. The non-profit organization provides affordable afterschool and summer programs, summer camps, a tutoring program, preschool and daycare and a youth basketball league.
“I think a lot of our donors appreciate the fact that Friendly House is here for the North End community,” Mead said.
Like many area non-profits, Friendly House had to cancel or reduce much of its regular programming for the year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Mead encouraged Richland County residents to consider donating to Friendly House during the Richland Gives campaign.
This story was written in response to a reader inquiry submitted through our Open Source platform.
