FAQ

Our website has been developed in an effort to educate the community regarding the importance of permanently preserving the Mills Lawn greenspace, which since the village was founded, has been enjoyed by generations of villagers. Topics explored throughout the site include historical significance and threats to its continued existence as well as its benefits to the environment, individual and community health, wellbeing and identity, education, social interaction  and its use as a commemorative site for 37 memorial trees. It is our hope that this FAQ will provide useful information and clarification to those concerned about the future of this community treasure. 

Where is Mills Lawn?
It is the parcel of land, bounded by Walnut, Elm, Phillips, and Limestone Streets, where the elementary school is currently located. Link to Google Map

When was Mills Lawn created??
The Mills property was created almost 20 years before the Civil War. It was developed soon after Elisa Mills deeded the property to his son William Mills. In 1843, William Mills moved into his new house. Mills Lawn was part of the original plat design for Yellow Springs. Please see the History page for details.

How would Preserving Mills Lawn Greenspace impact Mills Lawn Elementary School?
Preserving Mills Lawn Greenspace will only positively impact Mills Lawn Elementary by ensuring nature-based education with continued student access to the Greenspace.

Has the committee presented to the public on these issues?
Yes. We were invited by the James A. McKee Association to present our education and awareness points about the past, present, and future of Mills Lawn Greenspace. The video is on our YouTube channel.

Who are the Citizens to Preserve Mills Lawn Greenspace?
We are a citizens group that represents over 500 villagers who have signed a petition in support of preserving the greenspace that surrounds Mills Lawn School. Since October 2020, we have actively sought to educate the community about the value and history of the greenspace and the potential threats to ongoing preservation. We have actively explored and evaluated legal options to secure preservation and have concluded that a conservation easement best works to protect this invaluable property from development while providing significant benefit to the schools. Current members are listed on this web page.

Has the committee group put forth a specific plan for the preservation of Mills Lawn greenspace? If so, what has been proposed?
Yes, we have put forth plans on two occasions. Our most recent plan was presented at the School Board meeting on March 14, 2024. It is in the public record per the Yellow Springs School Board and is here: Mills Lawn 2024 Plan for Preservation. We asked the School Board’s approval for our group to explore the feasibility of a Clean Ohio Grant to preserve the Mills Lawn greenspace. The grant would involve a conservation easement on the western portion of the Mills Lawn property. The School Board would receive funds for the land, and they would retain ownership of the land to continue to be used as their schoolyard. The conservation easement agreement protects this greenspace from future development.

Earlier on February 10, 2022, we presented our first plan. Our 3-minute overview of the plan can be viewed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzPXOEB_Ao0 beginning at 6:05. The full letter is a public document on the School Board website under Board Docs for the Feb 10, 2022 meeting. It can also be downloaded from this link: Mills Lawn Greenspace Preservation Plan.

Why is the committee asking for the conservation easement under a Clean Ohio Grant?
This seems to be the best mechanism for permanently preserving the Greenspace over the long term while at the same time compensating the school.

How does a conservation easement work to preserve the Mills Lawn Greenspace?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and public or charitable entity such as a government agency or land trust. The landowner retains ownership of the land and the conservation easement places a limit on how the land can be used in the future. Conservation easements typically emphasize conservation and environmental outcomes such as open space preservation. Conservation easements can be donated to or purchased by a qualified holder. If purchased, the payment for the easement is intended to compensate the landowner at either full fair market value or something less (a part donation, part sale) for placing the easement on their land. More information on conservation easements is available from these sources: Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Watershed Network, the Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts, and the Land Trust Alliance.

What would the Mills Lawn Greenspace look like under a conservation easement?
With a conservation easement, the Mills Lawn Greenspace would be controlled by the School Board and would be restricted to natural updates such as handicap-accessible paths/walkways of packed natural gravel or stone, benches, garden areas, and removable structures for public events such as Shakespeare in the Park or temporary stages for band performances. Existing grassy areas for soccer, baseball, and disc golf would remain as is. The current popular and well-used playground would remain as is.

Is there any reason to think Mills Lawn Greenspace might be sold?
Even though the Facilities levy was passed in November 2023, the greenspace is not permanently protected. Earlier efforts for preserving Mills Lawn came in response to a previous School Board, serving in the Fall of 2020, that was considering selling the property. As the previous superintendent was leaving office under the school board (which was in place in the Fall of 2020) according to an interview in the Yellow Springs News 2019 (https://ysnews.com/news/2019/08/basora-reflects-on-his-tenure), if a levy did not pass, then the greenspace at Mills Lawn should be sold, along with other school district property. From the article: “With that in mind, Basora said that as he leaves, he is recommending to the school board that they put another levy plan on the November 2020 ballot. “And if that levy doesn’t pass, then they should immediately implement a plan to sell” the land on the west side of the Mills Lawn property and the land on the north and south sides of the high/middle school campus, he added.”

Does this committee support School Board efforts to improve the facilities for Yellow Springs students?
Our group is 100% behind high quality schools for the village and we believe the community will choose how it wants to provide the best schools for our students. Our children matter. Our goal is simply to find a way to preserve Mills Lawn greenspace as a separate issue. Since the Facilities levy passed in November 2023, work is being planned at Mills Lawn Elementary. The school board said there are no plans for the land, but without permanent protection, a future school board could vote to sell the land.

Does this committee take a position on school levies?
No. We support the wishes of our community on schools and hope that every eligible member of our community will cast their vote as they choose. Preservation of the Mills Lawn Greenspace is a separate issue. We believe that with creative solutions, we can have quality schools and preserve the Mills Lawn greenspace.

Did the School District purchase this property?
No. Mills Lawn property was entrusted by Antioch College to the Miami Township School Board in 1949. A letter from Antioch College states: “The Mills Lawn, because of its location and nature, is today an ideal location for a Yellow Springs Community Center. We at the College are interested in having it utilized for any non-commercial purposes which will promote the welfare of the community generally.” We are asking the School Board to honor the intent of the donor. News article from 1949

Is there a plan to build on Mills Lawn Greenspace?
At this point in March 2024, there is no plan, but the greenspace is clearly vulnerable to development. In 2019 the School Board commissioned a land use assessment study by  McBride Dale Clarion.   The report states: “The site at 200 S. Walnut Street has about 4.83 underutilized acres and is zoned “R-C High-Density Residential,” which allows a mix of single-family, multi-family, and accessory dwellings.” It also outlines a conceptual plan for how the Mills Lawn Greenspace could be developed. Here is a quote from page 15 of the McBride report: "For the purpose of calculating possible residential buildout of the site at 200 S. Walnut Street, MDC assumes the western half of the block could be subdivided off and redeveloped. This would be approximately 4.82 acres with a block width of approximately 350 feet to include two rows of lots, a new alley, and a new road between the remaining school and the new residential development. The new block could look almost exactly like the block to the west between Stafford and Phillips Streets to maintain character and scale."

At the February 4, 2021 meeting of the Citizens Advisory Team,  the Superintendent, Dr. Terri Holden shared options for how to move forward with renovating or replacing school facilities.  Three of the options under consideration involved closing Mills Lawn Elementary School.  For each of these options, “divesting Walnut Street assets” is listed as an advantage.  The document does not define what the School Board considers “assets.”  It could be just the area where the school currently sits, or it could mean the entirety of Mills Lawn, including the greenspace.  However, in the context of the McBride report, developing the greenspace indicates the option is on the table. Two board members in 2021 had publicly stated that they were not opposed to selling school board property to raise funds. 

Where are School Board documents available? 
Documents, agendas, and video links are on the School Board website. There are multiple link steps needed to navigate the site and find information.  https://www.ysschools.org/ > Board of Education > Board Docs for Policies > Meetings. On the Meetings page, meetings are listed only by date. See Jan 14, 2021, Regular Board Meeting. Clicking View the Agenda will produce a numbered list of meeting items. Regarding facilities planning for school buildings, see item 6.3 for the SHP contract as the Pre-Bond architect, terms, and money paid for this study.

What is the 2020 Comprehensive Land Use Plan?
The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is the village’s overarching policy document for future land use, signed in 2020. It guides the development and implementation of zoning and subdivision regulations, location and classification of streets, public facilities, parks and open space, and housing and economic development programs. The details of the 2020 Plan can be seen at this link.

What about the idea that the property could be used to meet the need for affordable housing?
While the need for affordable housing is a national as well as local challenge, the reality is that the property is not currently sale and will not be for sale as long as the school remains at Mills Lawn. Just as the Antioch donors did not consider the sale of the Mills Lawn property to be the answer to the post-war housing crisis, Mills Lawn is not a viable alternative to today’s needs.

How has the Village Council responded to preserving Mills Lawn Greenspace?
The Village Council released Resolution 2021-48 in October 2021 affirming the goal of the Committee to Preserve Mills Lawn Greenspace. “Village Council will actively participate in public discussions, proactively explore community-supported uses such as conservation, and help identify and support funding strategies in collaboration with community members, YS Schools leadership and other stakeholders.” The full resolution is at this link.

What are the Tribute Trees planted on Mills Lawn greenspace?
A tribute tree is a donation to Yellow Springs to memorialize a loved one or honor a person or group. The Yellow Springs Tree Committee helps to select the type of tree and the public planting site, purchases, and plants the tree, and installs a commemorative plaque that identifies the tree, its donor, and its honoree. Tree Committee volunteers care for the tree for three years by mulching, watering in summer, and pruning when necessary, and replace the tree if it fails during those three years.

To Whom are the existing Tribute Trees dedicated?
The Yellow Springs Tree Committee maintains a Tree List of the honorees and donors. A map of the tribute tree locations on the western side of Mills Lawn is available on the Tribute Tree page of this website.

How walkable is Mills Lawn for residents of Yellow Springs?
Very walkable! Much of Yellow Springs is within a half-mile of Mills Lawn, making it easily walkable especially with our lightly used residential streets, and residents further south have the advantage of the bike path.