"The Ever-Present Pride of Our City's South Side"

When our community comes together, great things are always possible. Beautification across our great lake city has taken place over the past couple of months when times of immense uncertainty have remained present.

However, one thing continues to withstand the test of time in Lorain: uniting for the betterment of the place we all call home.

Oakwood Park had the first cleanup of the year in June, sponsored by the Friends of South Lorain and organized by Rey Carrion, 6th Ward City Councilman. The city of Lorain prepped the space by mowing the entire park the week prior. On the day of the cleanup, over 70 volunteers came together to trim, pick up trash, plant flowers, mulch, and generally clean up the grounds of our southside gem.

The day was full of events that were fun for the whole family.

Volunteers arrived around 9 a.m. with personal tools and equipment in tow, ready to take on the impressive challenge ahead of them. Even the youngest volunteers came prepared with shovels and child-sized rakes to lend helping hands.

At noon, the Lorain Panthers traveling baseball club opened their season against the North Royalton Bears - Griffin Sports. The previous season's champions put up a good fight, but ultimately the Panthers took the win.

Jorge Villegas also brought the One Nation Slowpitch Summer Sizzler Softball Tournament to the park. Forty-four teams played over 40 games that day, and some referred to it as

a nice throwback to the great days of Oakwood Park.

Volunteers received hot dogs and burgers, provided by Joel Arredondo and the Mexican Mutual Society, and Jeff Barnes of St. Lads provided brats. Volunteers and spectators also had their choice of food at various food trucks present throughout the park, and DJGWEB provided music until 8 p.m.

Looking toward the future, Oakwood Park is taking new heights.

The park's eastern side is the future home to a new pavilion, a playground with a zipline structure, pickleball and shuffle ball courts, and a parking lot.

The existing swimming pool near the park's center will receive a renovation early next year in time to open by the summer months.

The return of tennis to the park is also an idea, with the park's former courts currently covered with dirt. Removing the dirt will shed light on the current conditions and whether the existing courts can resume use, or if other plans are required.

Across from the park, a new housing development is taking shape, and new businesses are in the planning stages along the Grove Avenue corridor.

These promising pieces are bringing light to a formerly darkened place. As long as the belief and support for our southside continue, the darkness will continue to lift, and new life will be given to Oakwood Park and surrounding areas.

A special thank you is directed to all of the contributors who made this day a success. The path into the brighter days ahead would not have been possible without them, and they demonstrate what it means to be Lorain Proud.