A park and open space system that satisfies the recreational and leisure needs of Oakwood residents, and enhances the traditional image and character of the community.
EXISTING OBJECTIVES:
1.
Maintain existing parks and recreational facilities and preserve natural areas. Undertake improvement and replacement programs as required.
a.
The city regularly maintains all public parks, recreational facilities and natural areas. City employees are dedicated to these tasks on a daily basis. Larger capital improvements are programmed as needed through the annual budgeting process, which involves the citizen Budget Review Committee.
b.
In 2008, the city completed a comprehensive improvement project at Orchardly Park. It included major new play equipment, a large water feature, sandbox and a new restroom/equipment storage building.
c.
In 2010, the city published the “Athletic and Recreation Master Plan”. A 25-member citizen committee assisted City Council, staff and the Oakwood Planning Commission in creating the plan, the first such plan developed for Oakwood. The plan addressed possible land-uses for Old River, Irving Field, Creager Field and the Oakwood Community Center.
d.
In 2013, the city cooperated with Dayton and MVRPC officials in building the Dayton/Kettering Connector, a bikeway running along the Oakwood/Dayton corporation line east of Acorn Drive.
e.
The last major park addition was completed in 2017 with the building of Cook Park at the corner of Oakwood Avenue and Schenck Avenue. In 2018, the city and schools completed a joint project to completely rebuild the Shafor Park Tennis Facility and formally established it as a public tennis court, and as the Home of Oakwood High School Tennis.
2.
Develop and promote new recreational programs that respond to the needs and desires of Oakwood residents.
a.
The Department of Leisure Services devotes a significant amount of staff time evaluating the interest and efficacy of recreational programs offered by the city, and develops new programs in response to needs and desires expressed by the community.
b.
In 2010, the city opened one of the first dog parks in the Dayton region. The Creager Field Dog Park is located on Shafor Boulevard just south of Irving Avenue. Construction of the community’s recycling center at the Public Works Facility in 2021 vacated its previous location at the Creager Field parking lot. Upon relocation of the recycling center from Creager Field, the city resurfaced, reconfigured, and restriped the parking lot. Improvements to the parking lot enhance dedicated parking for the dog park to meet increasing demand and reduce the amount of on-street parking along Shafor Boulevard. Additional lighting and security cameras were also installed as part of the parking lot improvements.
c.
In 2016, the city entered into an agreement with the Virginia Hollinger Memorial Tennis Club that transferred ownership of the land and tennis facility to the city. The agreement stipulates that the Hollinger Tennis Club would continue to operate the club, but the city owns it. The facility includes seven clay tennis courts and is located on Shafor Boulevard.