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SPRINGFIELD - Hundreds of residents gathered at the first annual "Neighborfest" at Emerson Wight Park in the city's South End on June 13, 2015.

(The Republican file)

SPRINGFIELD - Residents old and new of the city's South End neighborhood came out for the First Annual "Neighborfest" at Emerson Wight Park, prompting some to remember the park of their youth and others to delight in a safe place to let their children run and play.

Leo Florian, president of the South End Citizens Council and a lifelong resident of Wendell Place, said the afternoon event that featured music, food and vendors was a heartening sign that the densely populated neighborhood off Main Street is making a comeback.

"This is what the park was meant for," Florian said, gesturing to the scores of children running through the grass and clambering on the nearby playscapes. "Growing up here, we didn't have a backyard ... this was our backyard."

What was once a hamlet for Italian immigrants, the neighborhood saw a flight of many of its residents to the suburbs, a growing rise in drug activity and other crimes and a wave of apartment complexes that fell into disrepair. Although some lifelong residents and business owners remained, the neighborhood formerly known as "the Hollywood section" seemed a picture of the classic urban community in an irreversible slide.

This was even before the June 1, 2011 tornadoes that ripped through the area and destroyed many homes and shops. But since then, buildings have been rebuilt and renovated, new property managers have come in and "Hollywood" is now known as "Outing Park,"

Saturday's event was sponsored by the NeighborFest Committee and HAPHousing in collaboration with the South End Business Association, the South End Citizens Council and the C3 Public Safety Initiative.

Many neighbors said they find the increased police presence through the C3 (counter criminal continuum) Public Safety Initiative comforting.

SPRINGFIELD - Kim Wallace, of Marble Street, poses with her grandchildren and Springfield Police Officer John Zollo at the First Annual "Neighborfest" at Emerson Wight Park.

"I was so scared to move here," said Kim Wallace, who relocated to Marble Street a year ago with her two grandchildren. "But it's getting a lot better compared to what I used to hear about it. There are a lot of police patrols. Since the weather's gotten nice they're around a lot."

Springfield Police officers John Zollo and Matthew Vickery were at the event to talk with residents and let curious children climb in and out of their police cruiser. Zollo said the seven-member team including six city officers and one state trooper, has been making inroads in a neighborhood previously overrun with crime and suspicious of police.

"We make sure everybody knows we're here for them," Zollo said. "The criminal element feels the difference. We make them feel so uncomfortable, they'll move elsewhere."

In fact, residents reported two possible housebreaks during the event and officers responded within seconds.

"That's exactly how this is supposed to work," said Zollo, who added that he gives residents his cell phone number to call or text potential problems in the neighborhood.

The C3 South End initiative is one of four similar efforts citywide. This particular chapter holds weekly meetings with police, residents, business owners and other stakeholders each week at 11 a.m. each Wednesday at 1806 Main St.

SPRINGFIELD - Kristina Liberti, left, sits with her 86-year-old grandmother, Virginia Liberti, at the first annual "Neighborfest" in the city's South End on June 13, 2015.

Virginia Liberti, 86, has lived on Wendell Place for 60 years. She raised a family there and remains with her granddaughter, Kristina. "But, she said no."

"I told her: let's move, we should buy a duplex somewhere," Kirstina Liberti said, sitting by her grandmother on Saturday.

"No, no, no," Virginia said. "This is my home."

When asked how the neighborhood had changed, Virgina Liberti said:

"Very bad."

But, she said she was happy to see families gathered at the park and a stepped-up police presence in recent months.

"They try very hard," she said.