every few years. A comprehensive repair and repainting was completed in 2017 and again in 2022.
v. In 2009, the city completed a comprehensive refurbishment of the public parking lot along Park Avenue that serves the Park Avenue Business District.
vi. In 2008, the city purchased an existing private parking lot along the north side of Orchard Drive just east of Far Hills Avenue converting it to a public-use lot to address parking needs in the Far Hills Avenue Business District.
vii. For over 25 years, the city has been installing and maintaining holiday lighting and other decorations in the Far Hills Avenue Business District between late November and the end of February.
2.
Establish criteria to identify and define important and authentic historical buildings in Oakwood, and develop programs and resources to help educate the community on the value of preserving these historical structures.
a. The city regularly supports the Oakwood Historical Society (OHS) as needed with projects, program and events. In 2018, the OHS conducted the first annual Holiday Home Tour. The program has been enthusiastically embraced by the community and provides a wonderful opportunity for citizens to view historic Oakwood homes and cultivate ideas on how they might preserve historic features in their homes.
b. In 2014, the OHS started the Far Hills Speaker Series, an entertaining and educational program touching on varied topics related to Oakwood history. It is conducted several times each year at Wright Library, is free of charge, and is open to the public.
3.
Collaborate with the Oakwood Historical Society and the Oakwood Preservation Trust to explore options for preserving historic properties.
a. The Oakwood Historical Society remains a vibrant and very valuable community asset. From its inception, it has been a private organization operated and controlled by citizen volunteers who are passionate about the long and storied history of Oakwood.
b. The Oakwood Preservation Trust (originally named The Preservation Trust for Oakwood) was established in 2000 as a private, not for profit corporation with the mission to address matters relating to historic preservation. The organization was officially dissolved in 2016 after serval years of inactivity.
c. Year after year, Oakwood property owners typically choose to preserve, renovate and improve property, rather than engage in complete tear downs and reconstructions. The city tracks annually the total value of permitted home and business improvement projects in Oakwood and sees a consistent pattern of reinvestment in existing structures.
4.
Develop a long-range plan for “green space” preservation and/or development throughout the community.
a. The city regularly seeks ways to maintain existing public greenspace and is very cautious when evaluating projects that would eliminate or reduce greenspace area.
b. In 2007, the city purchased 3.1 acres of land adjacent to Houk Stream. This land had been established as a buildable lot in 1995 when an 11.4 acres estate property was subdivided. The purchase was made to significantly enhance the public natural area
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