New Sidewalk Creates Safe Passage Between Taft Intermediate and Southview Grace Brethren Church
ASHLAND – A vision four years in the making became reality Wednesday morning as community leaders, school officials, and church members gathered at Southview Grace Brethren Church for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating a brand-new sidewalk linking the church directly to Taft Intermediate School.
The concrete path, stretching straight across from 810 Katherine Ave. to 825 Smith Rd., means students can now walk safely between the school and the church without trudging through mud or slipping on snow-covered hills.
Organizer and Ashland City LifeWise Director Mary Dolce called the moment the fulfillment of a long-discussed goal.
“Today LifeWise celebrated the completion of a four-year vision to erect a sidewalk for the Lifewise students traveling from Taft School to Southview Grace Brethren Church for classes,” Dolce said. “Since the beginning of the LifeWise Academy program in Ashland City in January of 2023, students either traveled back-and-forth to their classrooms via bus or by walking to a local church or location to hold classes.”
LifeWise, a privately funded, parent-permission program that operates off school property, was able to achieve the project thanks to a grant from the Park Street Grace Brethren Church Missional Partners Committee.
“Some areas that were traveled by students and volunteers who took the quickest route on the grass from Taft to Southview became very muddy during rain and snow,” Dolce explained. “The sidewalk will help students travel back-and-forth with a safer pathway and also a cleaner one. With the generous donation from Park Street and with the kindness of the City Schools to keep the sidewalk cleared during snow accumulation, we are expecting much smoother transitions between classes. We are grateful for the leading of the Lord in this project and also for Lester Garber and his crew who did an amazing concrete job.”
Dolce also thanked Pastor Joel Zook and his staff at Southview Grace Brethren Church, who continue to provide classroom space for students each week.
The ribbon cutting brought together a wide range of supporters. Dolce expressed gratitude to Ashland City Schools Superintendent Steve Paramore, Taft Principal Jonlyn Hartsler, Pastor Tony Vandyne and the Park Street Missional Committee, Representative Melanie Miller, board member Rob Wash, along with teachers, staff, volunteers, and community supporters.
“This was a wonderful community project, and we’re thankful so many people came to celebrate it with us,” Dolce said.
State Representative Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) praised the project as both practical and inspiring.
“Programs like Lifewise are building character and changing lives, and this sidewalk is more than just concrete—it’s a bridge of opportunity,” Miller said. “Families are being restored, and children are learning values that will last a lifetime.”
For many, the new sidewalk carried symbolic meaning. “This isn’t just a physical bridge,” Dolce reflected. “It represents a spiritual vision—like the Israelites crossing the parted waters, there’s now a straight and safe path for these students.”
After the ribbon was cut to cheers and applause, attendees circled together in prayer for the Lifewise program, its students, volunteers, and the school year ahead.
The Lifewise Academy, now preparing for its fourth year at Taft, also runs programs at Reagan Elementary, Edison Elementary, and Ashland Middle School. Students receive biblical character training in classrooms hosted by partnering churches, including Southview Grace Brethren.
“This simple sidewalk shows what can happen when a community comes together with a shared vision,” Ashland City School District Superintendent Steve Paramore said. “Sometimes the most direct path really is the best one.”
