Department of Leisure Services

The Department of Leisure Services was created in 1987, in response to a growing need throughout the community to address quality of life issues in Oakwood. The Department offers a variety of activities and programs for Oakwood citizens. Its purpose also includes building upon the natural beauty of the City, as well as the care and maintenance of parks, public gardens, boulevards, and public rights-of-way.

Park and Open Space Facilities. The Department operates 13 park sites totaling approximately 32.9 acres (see Table 4). The three neighborhood parks (Shafor, Orchardly and Fairridge) have been updated within the last twelve years. Improvements include enhancements of playground equipment and landscaping at all three parks, and tennis courts at Orchardly Park. Two shelters are available for a minimal rental fee for family gatherings and picnics. Plans are under discussion to update the Orchardly Park wading pool, to reconstruct the tennis courts at Shafor Park, and possibly update park shelters. Active sports fields include Irving Field, a 5.7-acre site located on Irving Avenue adjacent to Patterson Park in Dayton, and Creager Field, a 2.12-acre site, adjacent to the Public Works Center.

The Department operates and maintains several gardens and natural areas, including Smith Gardens, Elizabeth Gardens, Loy Gardens, Houk Stream, and Huffman Park. Smith Gardens is available for weddings and other community events. The Department also has several small pocket parks that add to the ambience of the tree-lined streets and neighborhood areas.

In addition to the parks in Oakwood, the City leases the 22-acre Old River sports complex from NCR for sports activities and special events. Oakwood City Schools also utilize Old River for sports activities.

The Oakwood Community Center (OCC), located west of Shafor Park, is a focal point for recreation and leisure activities. During the past year, 23 new programs and events have been added to increase participation. Several improvements were also made to update the Community Center, and new equipment was added to the Health Center.

Finally, Oakwood’s location adjacent to the cities of Dayton and Kettering also afford local residents with a variety of nearby recreational and cultural activities, including golf, boating, music performances, museums, and amusement parks.

Recreational Programs. The Department of Leisure Services operates the majority of the recreational programming within Oakwood and offers a range of programs, sports, and community events. Programming has increased significantly over the past five years.

The most popular programs are: gymnastics, art, health and fitness classes, swimming, sports including tennis, soccer, t-ball, coach pitch, kickball, volleyball and basketball, senior luncheons, and various community events.

Cooperation with Oakwood City Schools. The City cooperates with Oakwood City Schools in providing recreational facilities and services. The Department of Leisure Services utilizes the elementary school gymnasiums for winter sports, including basketball and volleyball programs. The schools use the City’s tennis courts for practice and games, and Oakwood’s Irving Field for their field hockey program. As mentioned above, the schools also use the Old River sports facility.