The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Oakwood wants public input on parks renovation

Brochures going out, phone survey dates and a community meeting scheduled.

Oakwood's parks plan could draw more people to the city

Snow falling in parts of Miami Valley; accumulation expected
12:14 p.m.
Ohio leaders preparing defense of bases amidst closures
10:59 a.m.
Pentagon to allow women to serve near front lines
9:17 a.m.
Ohio receives $335M in housing assistance
7:33 a.m.
Huber Heights to cut $1.3 million from budget
2/10/12
> More headlines

By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer Updated 8:43 AM Wednesday, March 10, 2010

OAKWOOD — The city of Oakwood is less than 3 square miles, has less than 45 acres of park land and natural areas and no room for development.

If the city is going to pursue a significant capital improvement project to upgrade its athletic and recreation facility, Old River Fields is the city’s best bet, according to Oakwood City Manager Norbert Klopsch.

“If we end up building or investing millions of dollars ... in new facilities, we have one shot at it,” Klopsch said.

For the past 10 months, a 25-member citizens committee has been working on a recreation master plan that has resulted in a 14-page brochure being mailed to every city household and business this month.

A linchpin in the plan involves how to develop the 28-acre Old River Fields, which Oakwood purchased for $2.3 million from NCR in September 2006.

“The land you see here is what we have,” Klopsch said. “We don’t have any more. There is no more vacant land in Oakwood. There is no more land to purchase. We have one shot here to get it right. We would be foolish not to invest the time and effort and resources up front to make sure that we guarantee success.”

While other Miami Valley municipalities are reducing their recreational offerings due to budget issues, Oakwood is going the opposite direction with plans that will likely attract users from across the Dayton area.

But there are several caveats to consider: the recommendations are options of what Oakwood could consider at four of its park locations; there is no price tag for construction and operating costs; the project could take five to 10 years to become a reality; and there is no guarantee that any of the projects will happen.

The brochure features colorful renderings to improve Old River Fields, Irving Field, Creager Field and Oakwood Community Center.

Leisure Vision, a Kansas consulting firm, will conduct a telephone survey from March 23 to April 13 with 300 randomly called residents. A community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., April 29, at the community center that will include results from the telephone survey, citizen input and potential construction cost estimates.

City officials hope residents want to move forward with any of the options.

One option includes expanding the community center and removing four of six tennis courts. This could pose a problem for the Oakwood High School tennis program, since this is the home court. The city is pursuing a long-term lease with the University of Dayton to use its six existing tennis courts adjacent to Old River Fields.

“We’re in discussions, and we’re receptive to helping them with their needs,” Rick Perales, UD’s director of campus planning and real estate.

Mark Hughes, Oakwood’s athletic director and who served on the citizens committee, said if the courts are removed to make way for a larger community center, he’s hopeful an agreement will be reached with UD.

“If the city moves forward with the reducing of the four ... then I hope its in conjunction with leasing the courts at UD so that we have a place to go,” Hughes said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Share this article