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About the KPA

Thursday, 09 September 2010

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About the KPA

Written by Administrator

Purpose

The purpose of The Kern Place Association, Inc. (a Texas Corporation) is to maintain and improve the Kern Place neighborhood. The work of the KPA includes developing and implementing park improvements, monitoring zoning issues that affect the neighborhood, advocating for health and safety issues, organizing and publicizing neighborhood events, providing information to residents, and serving as a general proponent of the neighborhood. KPA does not exist to enforce city laws, settle neighborhood disputes, or engage in political activities. In addition, the KPA sets annual goals for the Association.

History

The Kern Place Association, Inc. was founded in July, 1981, as a non-profit corporation in the State of Texas, to:

(1) preserve and improve the social welfare and standard of living of residents of the Kern Place Area and surrounding areas, as well as those of the City and County of El Paso, by maintaining the awareness of all public officials and residents of the Kern Place Area of the needs of the residents of the Kern Place Area and, when deemed advisable, by causing the members of the corporation to be represented before the various governing and advisory councils, courts, boards and commissions which could affect the Kern Place Area, to present and defend the interests of the residents of the Kern Place Area; and to deal with other like organizations in the surrounding area; and to

(2) assist the City of El Paso in the preservation, maintenance, and improvement of Madeline Park and other public parks in or around the Kern Place Area in any manner deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion.

Per the Articles of Incorporation, the Kern Place Association consisted of eleven founding board members including:

Mrs. Ashby Foote
Mrs. Edna P. Jennette
Mrs. Frances C. Lerner
Jon L. Davis
Sam Smith
Eugene Kuzirian
Dwight M. Deter
Charles J. Stuart
William UI. Latham
David M. Dougherty
Mrs. John W. Reynolds

The roots of the Association date back to early 1980, when a group of Kern Place residents got together to address development issues threatening the neighborhood, including plans to construct duplexes in the neighborhood and proposals to further develop Crazy Cat Mountain and its slope above Kern Place. This visionary group quickly determined that forming a neighborhood organization would benefit the entire neighborhood and, thus, the Kern Place Association was born, first as an unincorporated association, and followed shortly thereafter by the existing non-profit corporation. The newly formed Association successfully petitioned the City to change the zoning of much of Kern Place from R-4 (which permits duplexes) to R-3 (which doesn?t), and later worked to have the City adopt the Mountain Zoning Ordinance, which limits development on mountain slopes.

The Association soon focused its attention on Madeline Park, and in 1982, entered into the City of El Paso?s first park partner agreement, in which the Association and the City developed a master plan to revitalize Madeline Park. The Association raised money from Kern Place residents to buy over 150 trees and a new sprinkler system for the park, both of which were installed in the spring of 1983. The new trees were hand-watered and nurtured by many volunteers under the guidance of Janice Owens-Martinez and others.

Over the years, the Association has continued to purchase fertilizer, weed killer, and other items to benefit the park. Working closely with the City?s Parks Department, the Association has worked for new playground equipment, a resurfaced tennis court, park benches and tables, and flowerbeds to make Madeline Park the best neighborhood park in the City. In addition, the Association has purchased a gazebo for Madeline Park, which is soon to be installed, and the Association is working on a comprehensive development plan for Alethea Park, our other neighborhood park. The Association has sponsored two annual picnics per year since its inception, and in recent years has provided two annual Music in the Park events. It has provided two annual Music in the Park events. It has also worked on many other issues of concern to the neighborhood and the City throughout the years, including traffic, crime, zoning, landscaping, litter control, and air pollution.

The accomplishments of the Association are due to the many dedicated residents and friends who have volunteered to help the Association in these activities over the years, whether as dues-paying members, directors, officers, area captains, picnic helpers, park volunteers, Music in the Park sponsors, or other. And because of them, we have a beautiful neighborhood in which all residents of El Paso enjoy today!