Construction plans for new basketball courts at Lakewood Par

[Jim O'Bryan]

Construction plans for new basketball courts at Lakewood Park to be announced
MVD Memorial Court will honor the memory of Lakewoodite Mark Vincent Dickens


WHEN:
Sunday, September 23, 2012, 5:30p.m.


WHERE:
Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee (LOBC) Courts at Kauffman Park
15450 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood OH 44107


WHAT:
Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee and invited guests (see below) will update the community on its plans to install new basketball courts at Lakewood Park, including:

- construction schedule;
- fundraising goal, efforts and totals to date;
- future endeavors.

Lakewood City officials and LOBC volunteers will provide insight regarding the importance of positive youth activities.

THE BACK STORY
Since 2009, Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee has been dedicated to bringing outdoor recreation back to our city. But more importantly, LOBC is about creating a healthy, safe environment and recreational activity for Lakewood’s young people.

In September 2010, LOBC installed and operated hoops at Kauffman Park, much to the delight of dozens and dozens of youngsters. Now, with the support of City Hall, LOBC turns its attention to Lakewood Park and the installation of the MVD Memorial Court, named in memory of Lakewoodite Mark Vincent Dickens whose promising life was cut short by cancer.


About Mark Vincent Dickens
Mark was born in Lakewood and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1996. Like many young people in Lakewood, he grew up playing basketball in Lakewood Park for countless hours after school and throughout the summer. Just as they affected many other kids growing up in Lakewood, the courts were a large part of Mark's upbringing. Many of his long-lasting friendships and bonds were formed there. In 2009, after a two year battle with testicular cancer, Mark passed away one month short of his 30th birthday.


City Support
Mayor Summers, as well as six of seven members of City Council, have endorsed LOBC’s plans to construct the new hoops at Lakewood Park.


Public Support
The high-quality hoops on a new paved playing surface at MVD Memorial Court will be surrounded by a walkway built with personalized bricks containing the names and/or messages of supporters. LOBC and Friends of Mark Vincent Dickens have raised more than $23,000 through various events as well as the Paver Campaign. <http://lobc.org/buy-a-brick.html>http://lobc.org/buy-a-brick.html


About LOBC
The Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee is a local non-profit organization that was started by Lakewood residents to help bring public outdoor basketball back to our city. LOBC is dedicated to making free outdoor basketball available to all of our residents once again. More about The Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee.  http://lobc.org/


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[marklingm]

While I’m a big supporter of the LOBC, I’m just curious as to what ever happened to the issues raised by At-Large Lakewood City Councilwoman Monique Smith. What happened?

What caused the last minute change of heart by City Hall?

And, when and where is the ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled to take place?

Matt