07/06/2026
This past weekend, we had the opportunity to visit the with Alisha Jones (AKA Milkshake), a community leader who has initiated many projects in our city.
From the to adult cycling rides to the Parkland Parklet, Ms. Jones is connecting community, problem solving, increasing heath and well being and improving safety.
The Parkland Parklet consists of an alley and a green space between backyards in the Parkland Neighborhood. The alley backs up to Muhammad Ali’s childhood home. When Ms. Jones moved in to the community last August, she wanted to do something about the illegal dumping and overgrowth.
She began to organize her neighbors and rolled up her sleeves, and got to work. With a lot of sweat equity, some community resources, and a “Love Your Block” grant from the Office of Violence Prevention , she has transformed the space into a green, thriving walkway and shared community asset.
She has partnered with Waste Management to pick up items, displayed signage to deter illegal dumping, planted flowers, placed a bench for seating and will soon add bottle cap murals (a nod to Ali’s bees 🐝 and butterflies 🦋 ).
Her work and effort is proof of how caring for and activating the public realm can increase wellbeing and belonging and prevent violence.
Be sure to plan a visit!
