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OVERVIEW

In the Oakwood Neighborhood Plan 2019, Oakwood Memorial Beach is identified as an amenity outside of the neighborhood’s boundaries. It notes that there needs to be clearer, safer access to the property at the street level with sidewalk and crosswalks. A design project for Oakwood Memorial Beach was chosen as one of the first projects for implementing the Oakwood Neighborhood Plan 2019. This project provides the opportunity to work towards several actions in the neighborhood plan.

Oakwood Memorial Beach is on Parkview Avenue across from D&W. There is also access from Oakland Drive. The property has three levels. The first is level with Parkview with a small war memorial. The second level is wooded and has access out to Oakland Drive. The third is the beach. Currently the property is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers who weed and plant flowers on the property.

 

OBJECTIVES

  • Engage Oakwood residents to understand what they would like to see at the Oakwood Memorial Beach

  • Redesign Oakwood Memorial Beach to meet resident needs and achieve neighborhood plan actions

 

SCHEDULE:

  • Design Meeting (November 9, 2019) - An interactivie meeting to talk about the beach and help design a future rain garden.

  • Survey (December 2019) – Online survey to collect more input on what residents would like to see at the beach.

 

PARTNERS

Oakwood Neighborhood Association, Kalamazoo Nature Center, American Institute of Architects

 

STAFFING

Community Planning & Economic Development

 

CONSISTENT WITH PLANS

Master Plan, Strategic Vision, Oakwood Neighborhood Plan 2019

Oakwood Neighborhood Plan 2019 Related Actions

  • Parks & Sustainability – Increase knowledge and awareness of native plant species.

  • Parks & Sustainability – Plant rain gardens to help mitigate run-off.

  • Community – Work with local artists to create public art installations

  • Community – Work to bring performances to the area such as plays or instrumental performances

 

VISION

To make Oakwood Memorial Beach more inviting and friendly for residents to use.

 

STRATEGIC VISION GOALS

Inviting Public Places, Environmental Responsibility, Complete Neighborhood

 

METRICS

 

BUDGET

 

FUNDING SOURCE

Foundation for Excellence