Neighborhoods: We have outstanding diversity in housing choices. Although most of our housing stock is over 70 years old, our homes and properties are better maintained than any other city around and our home values prove it. In 2016, 81% of Oakwood home sales were higher than the County appraised value.

Schools/Library: Everyone knows Oakwood has great schools, in fact, the finest public schools in the region. Our Oakwood schools are consistently rated in the top 1% in the State of Ohio. The Washington Post named Oakwood High School one of America’s Most Challenging High Schools in 2016.

For an unprecedented fifth year in a row, the Oakwood High School Academic Decathlon team are national champions. This scholastic competition is unique because the team is tested in art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music and science and participates in judged events in speech, interview and essay. They competed with teams from the United States, Canada, China and England. Congratulations to all of the students and advisor Lori Morris.

We also welcomed Kristi Hale as the new director of Wright Memorial Public Library. For 77 years they continue their mission to provide high levels of efficient, friendly and personal service and to foster an atmosphere of intellectual liberty in the American tradition of free ideas.

City Services: The city services offered to Oakwood residents are unsurpassed. We continue to provide weekly backyard trash collection, year-round curb collection of yard waste, fall leaf collection and spring mulch delivery, and sidewalk snow removal. We were honored as a Tree City USA for the 34th consecutive year. Our Johnny Appleseed program has planted about 3,000 trees in Oakwood since the inception of this program. We commend the efforts of our public works department and our horticulture staff in the leisure services department.

Public Safety: Formed in 1927, our public safety department is the second oldest consolidated department in the United States. It is unique because all our officers are cross-trained and state-certified in law enforcement, fire fighting and emergency medical services. Our first officer on scene response time for any emergency is under two minutes, by far the fastest in the region. Our fire engine response time is 4.2 minutes; the national standard is 6 minutes. Our medic response time is 3.3 minutes; the national standard is 13 minutes. Oakwood has the lowest crime rate and fire loss in Montgomery County.

Recreation/Leisure: Where else will you find in a community of 2.2 square miles the parks, gardens and green space found in Oakwood?

We offer three neighborhood parks, Shafor Park, Orchardly Park and Fairridge Park. Our natural areas include Loy Gardens, Elizabeth Gardens, Houk Stream and Centennial Park. Our recreation facilities include the Oakwood Community Center and Gardner Pool, the Dog Park at Creager Field, Irving Field, Old River Sports Complex, Mack Hummon Stadium and now Lane Stadium.

Oakwood also features beautiful public gardens including Smith Gardens and Francine’s Garden.

In 2016, we agreed to assume ownership of the Hollinger Memorial Tennis Center with its clubhouse and seven clay tennis courts.

People: Oakwood’s strength is its people. Our citizens are leaders in industry, education, medicine and the arts. Please consider some of the events in which our citizens participated in 2016.

• In May, about 380 walkers participated in the 15^th Annual Breast Cancer 5K CARE Walk. Since its inception, the event has raised over $200,000 to support a cure for breast cancer;
• That Day in May, sponsored by the City and the Oakwood Rotary Club, continued the tradition of the pancake breakfast, 5K and 10K runs, community parade, games, rides, refreshments and displays;
• The successful Oakwood Farmers Market re-opened on Saturday morning’s from June to September and featured home-produced and gourmet food items and works of local artisans. The market was recently recognized by Dayton Magazine as Best Farmers Market in the area.
• In July, the Oakwood Sister City Association welcomed our sister city Outremont, Canada to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of our twinning.