What are the benefits of purchasing an OCC Membership?

By becoming a member, you are entitled to discounts on memberships to the Health Center and Gardner Pool. It also entitles you to the lowest possible rate offered on all of the classes, sports programs, and OCC-sponsored events. If you plan on taking classes, enrolling in programs, or participating in events, your membership will pay for itself in a short period of time. An OCC Membership is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

How many people swim at Gardner Pool every season, and how many employees are needed to run it?

In 2024, 23,118 visits to the pool were recorded, an increase from 20,441 in 2023. The pool also offered water aerobics, deep-water workouts for adults, with 87 participants throughout the summer, swim lessons for younger children, and a Swim Team. Staff includes 2 Pool Managers, 3 Head Lifeguards, 30 lifeguards, and 10 concession workers.

I heard that the City sometimes allows dogs to swim at Gardner Pool. Is this true?

Yes, it’s true… but only once a year. We usually conduct the Dog Splash on the first Sunday after the pool closes. In 2024, 40 dogs participated in this fun family activity!

Old River Sports Complex is located off of Far Hills Avenue at 1421 Old River Dr. What kinds of activities were held during the year?

Old River Sports Complex is open seven days a week in the spring, summer, and fall for a variety of sports and community activities.

The Department of Leisure Services utilizes the complex for recreational sports and special events. This past year, we were able to offer our spring and fall COED and Little Kickers soccer programs. The city also sponsored several summer recreational events, including Skyhawks Sports Academy camps that included Multi-Sports camp (baseball, flag football, and soccer), Mini-Hawk sports camp (soccer, flag football, and baseball), Skyhawks Beginning Golf, and Skyhawks Flag Football. We held other camps throughout the summer including Girls Field Hockey Camp and a few “field days” for our weekly camps. We also held our annual Family Kite Nite in the spring, and Oakwood Striders meet in the fall. We look forward to continuing these programs as well as adding others in 2025.

Lane Stadium is located at the Old River Sports Complex and is used by Oakwood City Schools for a variety of sporting events. Throughout the spring and fall seasons, Oakwood City Schools periodically use the grass fields at Old River Sports Complex for Junior/Senior High soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey practices.

Under an agreement with the City, the Old River Sports Complex is the home of Oakwood United Soccer Club. Additionally, the facility is rented to non-city or non-school organizations. In 2024, multiple organizations, including the Dayton Amateur Soccer League and Coerver Ohio Soccer, rented the facility.

How many years has the City of Oakwood been a Tree City USA and what is the significance of this program?

The City of Oakwood has been a Tree City USA for 42 consecutive years and was the second community in the Miami Valley to receive this designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Oakwood meets four major criteria each year to qualify for this national designation.

• A city department designated and responsible for tree maintenance.
• The city’s forestry program must have an annual budget of $2 per capita.
• The city must have in place a tree ordinance.
• The city must sponsor an Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.

How many trees have been planted through the Johnny Appleseed Street Tree Planting program?

In 46 consecutive years, a total of 3,375 trees have been planted through this project at a total cost of $502,322. The program is offered each year and includes a 50% discount to homeowners for trees that are planted in the rights-of-way. In 2024, the homeowner’s cost was between $210 and $250 for a 2” diameter tree. A total of 52 trees were planted through the 2024 Johnny Appleseed Street Tree Planting program.

I heard about the Family Fall Festival and Scarecrow Row. What is it all about?

The Oakwood Family Fall Festival began in 2006 and has continued every year since. It is a wonderful community event held in Shafor Park. The festival is held in the middle of October each year and includes a variety of old-fashioned activities and games for the whole family… including a scarecrow-building contest. In 2024, 22 Oakwood citizens and business groups built scarecrows along Shafor Boulevard.