MANSFIELD — Lisa Hall, director of the Ocie Hill Community Center, has big plans for the parking lot located behind the community center.
She envisions it as a place where local youngsters can play basketball, volleyball or hopscotch. Where families can have a picnic. Where BBQ’s and concerts could be held. Where community members of all ages can congregate and enjoy the fresh outdoors.
“In my head, it looks beautiful,” Hall said.
Now it’s just a matter of making her vision a reality.
Some work has already been done to the landscaping, but Hall said there’s plenty yet to be accomplished. She hopes by the end of October to have the landscaping completed and other improvements made to the space before installing playground equipment.
Hall, who recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as director, believes this project maximizes Ocie Hill’s ability to serve more individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy such amenities.
Plus, it’s a way to involve local organizations, such as the Gateway Resource Center and the North End Community Improvement Collaborative. Perhaps produce from NECIC’s teaching garden on Blust Avenue or potatoes from Jones Potato Chip Company could be used for a cookout, she said.
The opportunities are endless.
Before anything is set in stone, Hall hopes to get feedback from community members on what they’d like to have included in the lot.
“I see this being a community-focused spot,” she said.
According to Hall, the lot hasn’t been used for years. At one point, there was a basketball court on it, but was later made into parking spaces, she said.
Hall said she’d like to bring back the basketball court and make it into a high school court, which will be bigger than the junior high court that’s in Ocie Hill’s gymnasium.
She also wants to add a walking trail on the perimeter of the lot, which can be used by participants of the walking program. Ocie Hill has begun offering a walking program in the gymnasium that’s free to the public. The self-guided program is offered Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.
“I want people to feel that whatever their level is, whatever need they have, we can meet that here,” Hall said. “You can be power walking or you can walk with a physical walker. You’re welcome here.”
Ocie Hill is located at 445 Bowman St. This city-owned facility provides education for children, along with health and family assistance.
It houses two educational programs — Mansfield Choice Academies and the Culliver Reading Center.
Some of the current programs offered at Ocie Hill include the walking program and open gym for youth, teens and adults.
If interested in donating to any of Ocie Hill’s programs or projects, including the back lot development, contact Hall at 419-524-2626.
