The Park
District met with various interest groups, neighbors, and
government officials to assist in deciding the future of Oak
Grove Park. The 101-acre park, located at the corner of Social
Row and Gebhart Roads, was acquired in 1994 to become the
district's seventh community park. The master plan shows a
balance of athletic fields and courts, playgrounds, shelters,
natural area, pond, parking, and a hike/bike trail.
Phase I construction of Oak Grove Park included
two soccer fields and parking in the northern section of the
park off Social Row Road.
Phase II construction took place in
2004. A federal Land and Water Conservation Fund
grant provided reimbursement of $200,000 toward this
phase. A pond was constructed in the northeast corner of the park to provide
recreation opportunities, a source for athletic field
irrigation, and required stormwater detention. Grading of
the frontage along Social Row Road and completion of the
established soccer field area resulted in the addition of
five more soccer fields.
Phase III development was nearly
completed in
2005. Included in this phase was the grading and seeding of
the remainder of the park. A new maintenance building was also
constructed in the spring of 2005. The installation of the
playground in the northern section of the park was completed in
the spring of 2006.
Phase IV development
began in 2006. Projects in phase IV included the
main access drive, tennis courts, landscape plantings, parking lots, walking paths, benches,
electrical connections, irrigation, and water main.
Phase
V construction commenced in 2007. New picnic shelters are under
construction thanks in part to donations from the Centerville
Rotary Club, Centerville Noon Optimist Club, and Centerville
United Soccer Association. Walking paths have been paved in the central soccer
and dog park areas. Lighting and
grandstand seating was completed in the central soccer area in time
for league use during the fall season. The dog park fencing was installed
in June and the facility is now available for use. Donations
are still being accepted to help finance enhancements to
the dog park.
Phase VI development
will take place in 2008. Construction plans include two baseball
diamonds and additional parking along Gebhart Road. Drinking
fountains will be installed in the dog park.
Oak Grove Park promises to become a great community gathering place, with a variety of activity areas planned to provide many different opportunities throughout the 101 acres. Now is your chance to become a part of this exciting new community gem by
sponsoring a project
in the park.
If you are interested in pursuing sponsorships at Oak Grove Park or would like a Park District representative to speak to your group about sponsorship opportunities, please contact
Carol Kennard at 433-5155 or email ckennard@cwpd.org.
