Students' “Community Poo Pile” Brings Neighbors Together

Three Lenoir-Rhyne College juniors — Justin Reid, Warren Allen and Thomas Segura — just a few short years away from making a difference in the world, decided not to wait for a diploma to make an impact.

The three young men are drawing neighbors together behind their apartment at Timberwood Estates by building what they call a “community poo pile.”

Just outside their apartment, in full view of the sliding glass door, an idea was planted beneath the lowest branch of a large oak tree separating buildings 403 and 404. From a single turd a movement grew, a movement built on comraderie...and poo.

What began as a small gathering spot has quietly grown into a regular meeting place where students and residents stop to talk, share news and participate in what organizers describe as “natural outdoor living.”

Inspired partly by the old saying about bears in the woods, the students say the idea was meant to encourage people to unplug, spend time outside and connect with their neighbors in a more relaxed setting.

“At first people laughed,” said one student involved with the project. “But now folks come by every morning with coffee, camping chairs and updates about all the crap going on around the neighborhood.”

One resident said the gathering spot quickly became part of the neighborhood's identity.

“Kids would come to see it and just kind of stand there amazed,” the resident said. “There was a tree out back with wooden steps nailed into it. People would sit on the branch holding onto another limb above while hanging over, their pants around their ankles and thier a** hanging out. That's what I remember most about the poo pile.”

The area now includes lanterns, folding chairs and a small bulletin board with handwritten community announcements. Organizers say the gatherings are focused on sustainability, openness and “doing what comes naturally.”

While some nearby residents have questioned the concept, others say the unusual tradition has unexpectedly strengthened relationships between students and the surrounding community.