Oakwood Park to host cross country meet

Runners are happily welcoming the event

Oakwood Park will be the scene of a cross country meet Sept. 27, according to Lorain Councilman Angel Arroyo.

The idea originated with Kevin Landis, the Brookside cross country coach, who lives in the ward that Arroyo represents. He and his wife, Victoria, had taken part in several of the Oakwood Park cleanups that Arroyo organizes. Landis approached Arroyo about holding the meet and inviting the middle and high schools in the area; Lorain, Brookside, Hearts of Jesus, Clearview and Westside Christian Academy.

“I have been looking in Sheffield to find a good place for a course,” Landis said. “There’s a lot of good places to run, but a there’s no good place to watch.”

According to Landis, the topography of the park is perfect for people to watch the meet.

Having received backing from Lori Garcia, public property manager of Lorain, The

meet is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. with middle schoolers racing. The high school girls will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the boys will take off at 5:30 p.m.

According to Arroyo, the city cut the grass and cleaned the fallen trees from the park on Sept. 23.

“Using Oakwood Park and utilizing the high schools, and having the community come support the children; I think that’s great,” Arroyo said. “It shows us city leadership that there are great things going on downtown, but we have gems inside our community and people want to utilize them.”

Landis echoed these sentiment.

“I think it’s a great park with a lot of potential,” he said.

“it shows us city leadership that there are great things going on downtown, but we have gems inside our community and people want to utilize them.” — Lorain Councilman Angel Arroyo

KEITH REYNOLDS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Brookside cross country coach Kevin Landis (left) and ward six councilman Angel Arroyo painting lines in Oakwood Park on Sept. 25 in preparation for the track meet Sept. 27.