City Services

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The primary purpose of local government is to provide for public safety, refuse services, water and sewer services and other governmental and infrastructure services. We also have the obligation to create a community ambience that encourages citizens to want to live in our fine community.

As our City Manager reported in his budget message to City Council in December.

  • We have the safest community in the region, with very low crime and very low fire loss.
  • We have an extremely fast police and fire response time, and we answer every call with highly trained professionals.
  • We always have qualified paramedics and EMT’s on-duty to respond to medical emergencies. On average, medical help arrives in less than two minutes – unparalleled in the area.
  • We have well-maintained streets, sidewalks, public trees, and landscaped boulevards.
  • Although most of our housing stock is over 75 years old, our citizens maintain their homes and properties in very good condition and our home values prove it.
  • Our city parks, public pool, community center and public natural areas are wonderful community assets.
  • Our overall community ambience is second to none.

Community Ambience

Community ambience is the character and atmosphere of a place. All our traditions and community events have been affected by the pandemic. Nonetheless, just consider some of the following events that occurred in our city in 2021.

  • In March, 160,000 daffodils were in full bloom on Ridgeway Road in a stunning display of beauty.
  • That Day in May, organized by the Oakwood Rotary Club, returned with a virtual 5k and 10k run and a dog show costume contest at Mack Hummon Stadium.
  • Wright Memorial Public Library raised over $1.5 million dollars of private contributions for its capital campaign.
  • The Oakwood Academic Decathlon team won its ninth consecutive Division III national championship. Whether in person or virtually, our students keep winning. Congratulations, yet again.
  • In May, a new tradition which began in 2020, we celebrated the Oakwood High School graduating class of 2021 with a community parade through the city along with pictures of all the seniors on Shafor Blvd.
  • The Oakwood High School girls track and field team won its first ever Division II state championship in June. Congratulations ladies.
  • For 22 years, the Giving Strings Orchestra performed a summer concert with the proceeds this year benefitting Hannah’s Treasure Chest.
  • We continued traditional city sponsored events, the ice cream social, the family fall festival and the holiday of lights.

Oakwood City Council added “An Oakwood Moment” to our monthly agenda and recognized the following moments:

  • Smith, Loy, and Francine’s Gardens,
  • A neighborhood band known as “Six Feet Apart,”
  • The Oakwood High School marching band at “The Farm,”
  • A block party on Volusia Avenue,
  • American flags prominently displayed on Far Hills Ave., Shafor Blvd. and selected residential streets,
  • The third annual Holiday Home Tour conducted by the Oakwood Historical Society.
  • Santa Claus touring our city aboard Fire Engine #26.

Community ambience indeed.