Jenks Elementary teachers benefit from additional parking offered by Bowman Properties.

When we talk to our neighbors in Chestnut Hill, almost any problem can be solved. A simple conversation resolved a debilitating parking issue for teachers at John Story Jenks Elementary School after the February snowstorms blanketed avenue streets.

After Richard Snowden of Bowman Properties heard that over 50 faculty and staff members at Jenks Elementary School were stranded due to nonexistent street parking, he plowed his empty Magarity Ford building parking lot and offered temporary winter season parking spaces to anyone in need.

“Our entire teaching staff is beyond impressed by Richard’s generous offer, and everyday we’re grateful for the ability to park in the Bowman Properties lot for the rest of the winter season,” says Jenks Elementary School Principal Mary Lynskey.

Principal Lynskey says she hopes future problems in Chestnut Hill can continue to follow this open-conversation trend. “This is an example of how easy problem solving can be, if the community comes together, effectively communicates issues, and supports one another,” says Principal Lynskey.

Snow Robbed CH of Street Parking

After mid-February snowstorms, Principal Lynskey feared she would have to call in multiple substitute teachers because finding parking was so difficult.

“My teaching staff felt powerless after the snow because there was nowhere for them to park their cars,” says Principal Lynskey. As a temporary fix, many teachers chose to park their cars behind The Chestnut Grill at The Chestnut Hill Hotel.

Unfortunately, this was not a workable solution for the management staff at The Chestnut Grill and Chestnut Hill Hotel because all of their parking spaces were occupied by Jenks Elementary School staff.

A Conversation Found Parking Spaces at Magarity Ford Site

President of the Chestnut Hill Business Association and co-owner of the Chestnut Grill Greg Welsh started a simple community conversation between the Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation, Jenks Elementary School, and a handful of local businesses to try and help the teachers’ parking dilemma.

A solution for the teachers was presented to Welsh much sooner than he expected. “When Richard Snowden confirmed he spoke with his insurance company, and that he could have his empty Bowman Property parking lot cleared by end-of-day for teachers to use, I almost thought it was too good to be true,” says Welsh.

This ability for teachers to use the empty Magarity Ford Site for the duration of the winter season provided a best-case-scenario resolution that gives every single staffer a place to put their car.

All Snowden asked of Jenks Elementary School teachers and faculty members were a name and a license plate number; he plowed the lot at no cost to the school. The next morning over 50 window stickers were passed out, and the lot filled up with truly appreciative commuters.

“It was just the right thing to do – I had the space, and people needed help,” says Richard Snowden, “I am humbled to have so many people thanking me that I don’t even know.”

Parking Lot Use Aids Community as a Whole

Everyone in Chestnut Hill benefits from this parking resolution. This generous donation from Bowman Properties creates additional street parking for residents and frees up parking for the lunch crowd at the Chestnut Grill.

“This is what inspires me about living in a community like Chestnut Hill – this was a great solution that sparked from people just talking, not a harsh conversation of ‘who is to blame,’ but an act of goodwill blended with community support,” says Welsh.