Citizens in Oakwood are celebrating upgrades to the community’s park which includes new equipment for children with disabilities. Julie Leverenz helped spearhead the effort to replace the old playground. ‘’We went with a Generation Swing. We went with everything that was handicap-accessible. The spinner that’s over there, children of all physical abilities can use this playground. And that was important to us,’’ added Leverenz.
[Oakwood Public Works employees Missy Dowers and Austin McCarty prepare the playground for its grand-opening.]
And Leverenz says they worked with Vermilion Advantage to try to secure grant money for the park. ‘’And then from there on we had fund-raisers. The Village trustees and mayor have been very good about giving us money to go forward with all the extra stuff. And we were able to do fundraisers, too.’’
Oakwood Mayor Clay Woodard says they had lots of help in getting the project completed. ‘’Vermilion County McDonalds, Vermilion Advantage, the employees of our village – they’ve given countless hours – a lot of hours of their own time that they have not been compensated for,’’ said the Mayor.
And Mayor Woodard adds many others also helped. And Mayor Woodard adds it is a great addition for Oakwood. ‘’We want to keep moving forward to show the community that we are a community that is adapting, and we’re moving forward, and we’re progressive. And we are certainly here for all generations. And we want to be an all-inclusive community as represented by our all-inclusive playground,’’ added Mayor Woodard. Oakwood’s park was established in 1982.
