Oakwood Park can regain its prominence

Oakwood Park in South Lorain is finally getting the much deserved attention it has needed for many years. Once a crown jewel for South Lorain, Oakwood Park, located at 2047 E. 36th St. and the gateway to Lorain off state Route 57, has had many bleak days simply because the city of Lorain could not afford to maintain it the way residents wanted.

But thanks to a citizens group, the 68-acre Oakwood Park is off the respirator and will be breathing a lot easier.

The Oakwood Park Planning Committee has crafted a plan for the future development and rejuvenation of the park.

Committee Chairman Bob Renney said the purpose of the plan is to let the public know the park is improving.

Renney said Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer and his administration are behind this resurrection and Oakwood Park is slowly but surely back in business, which should be good news to people who live near the area.

Oakwood Park’s transformation includes planned events.

On Sept. 9, the Planning Committee supported a Community Day with a new September Classic softball tournament on two ball diamonds: Field 2 and the newly regroomed Field 3.

Not too long ago, Oakwood Park came under scrutiny.

In the fall 2016, the city implemented a tree removal program, and many residents strongly opposed it.

In response to the residents objecting to removing trees, Ritenauer in the spring appointed the Oakwood Park Planning Committee.

The tree removal was part of a potential master plan for the park.

That plan, however, is on hold indefinitely, and the city won’t take down trees unless they pose a danger.

Councilman at large Mitch Fallis, a Planning Committee member and chairman of council’s Parks & Recreation Committee, said committee members agreed Oakwood Park was in a state of “grave disrepair” that needed to be addressed.

The projects have been small but noticeable as the city replaced wood planks for bleachers around the ball diamonds.

Fallis’ wife, Vivian, rounded up volunteers to paint the structures as recently as Sept. 2 and were to paint more Sept. 9.

Fallis credited the efforts of volunteers from Sacred Heart Chapel, the youth PACE Group and others for helping to spruce up the park.

Field 3 has been the largest endeavor to date as it was overgrown with weeds. And now the infield has red soil and a new pitcher’s mound and home plate.

The Planning Committee has ambitious goals, and members have vowed to see them come to fruition.

They want to upgrade the roads in the park, install security cameras, improve the basketball courts and level out the low areas around the playground and picnic area.

And possible future amenities could include a splash pad, pickleball court, amphitheatre and dog park.

The Planning Committee also wants to examine if the former pool buildings can be used for another restroom.

Fallis said that will necessitate running a waterline into the park.

Planning Committee members know Oakwood Park’s revitalization is a multi-year project needing volunteer help, city funding and support from the community.

Fallis said there’s a tremendous amount of work to be done over a two- or three-year period, but they will get there.

Improvements will need money — and possibly lots of it.

Fallis said Lorain has a parks budget of about $375,000 a year for a crew of four workers and seasonal help, compared to $1.5 million for other cities the size of the International City.

Members will have to explore ways of finding grant money to help with maintaining the park.

Once the improvements are in, Renney believes the community buy-in will become important to help maintain the park.

It is important for the community to appreciate how Oakwood Park is a green oasis in the midst of South Lorain.

Fallis described how on Labor Day, the volunteers saw 20 men playing softball on one of the fields.

The Planning Committee wants to see the entire park utilized.

This is a grand opportunity for South Lorain residents to work with the city in improving the area.

Change is on the horizon in South Lorain and Oakwood Park.

And finally, it’s a good change.