COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
This section summarizes the results of the Community Workshop conducted at Oakwood High School on June 17, 2003. Approximately 90 Oakwood residents and business persons attended the workshop.
The workshop consisted of a series of five questions regarding the City of Oakwood. Those in attendance were asked to answer each question independently, using the questionnaires provided. Several of the questions were then discussed with the group. Participants were asked to return their completed questionnaires at the conclusion of the meeting.
It is important to emphasize that the information included in this report represents the personal opinions of a limited number of people within the Oakwood community. The material should not be interpreted as findings of fact or as conclusions or recommendations by the Consultant.
However, the Community Workshop indicated: a) locally perceived problems and issues which should be addressed in the new Comprehensive Plan; and b) assets and advantages which should be built upon and preserved in the future.
The overall response to each question is highlighted below.
The most frequently mentioned issues and concerns related to: a) recreation and open space, b) housing and residential areas, and c) business district issues.
Among the specific issues cited most frequently were: a) concern over the subdivision of large estates, b) maintaining and developing open space within the community, c) the development and future use of Sugar Camp, d) housing and other concerns related to the elderly, and e) high taxes.
- Maintain green space (7)
- Lack of places and activities for teens to meet (6)
- Recreational facilities for all citizens (3)
- Preserving green space, increasing and linking open spaces
- Over development - not enough green space
- Removal of healthy trees and privacy barriers
- Concept of nature parks
- Green space - recreational facility
- Some preservation of green space - don’t crowd present homes
- Need more park space – maybe Sugar Camp
- City to aggressively establish a public land trust to which citizens could contribute, while also protecting green space
- Is a natural park important?
- Concept of land without housing
- Better patrolling of park areas
- Could there be an idea of the government and citizens caring for the parks and have a trust fund
- Park maintenance
- Lack of heath and fitness complex
- Lack of playing fields in the City
- Activities for children through high school
- Community center is small - dated and lacks family and teen activities
- Indoor recreational facilities