Oakland to celebrate 135 years with Heritage Day

Center in east Winter Garden.

The total contract award amount is $375,000 for a three-year term.

A suspension prevention and intervention program contract was approved with Central Florida Urban League Inc. The total three-year contract term will cost $300,000.

The county has approved a contract with Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc. that focuses on domestic violence prevention. The three-year contract award is $600,000.

“We are a funder of the victims service center, which has a District 1 presence at Shepherd’s (Hope),” Wilson said.

This is an existing contract; Wilson said there is a push to make sure any of the funds placed into the community action programs are used.

“That’s part of our programming and our priorities to make sure we’re providing those safety nets and services,” she said.

An item on the BCC’s consent agenda for Tuesday, Jan. 24, pertained to the Orange County Citizens’ Commission for Children and a contract to pilot a domestic violence child care program for domestic violence survivors with children ages birth to 12 years to minimize barriers to care.

“Citizens’ Commission for Children will initiate referrals for DV child care for children approved by domestic violence service providers in Orange County,” the agenda item read. “The Community Coordinated Care for Children will work with each referred survivor to fund childcare at an approved childcare center. They will also collaborate with Orange County’s Neighborhood Centers for Families to identify additional needs of the survivor and his/her family.”

Childcare stipends will be provided countywide until funding is exhausted, and the number of children served will vary based on the individual cost of child care.

The town of Oakland has a half-day of activities scheduled at Speer Park and the town’s arts and heritage center.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Established in 1887, the town of Oakland is one of the oldest municipalities in Orange County and once was a major center of commerce with a thriving downtown that included an opera house and many businesses. A devastating fire wiped out the downtown but not the town’s determination to forge on.

Today, Oakland continues to grow, with more than 3,500 residents and an increasing commercial presence on Oakland Avenue and West Colonial Drive.

Oakland’s town commissioners, officials and residents will recognize that resolve to rebuild Saturday during the Oakland Heritage Day celebration in the town’s historic downtown area.

The event celebrates Oakland’s small-town charm, unique history, nature, wellness and the arts with a family-friendly day of live music, food trucks, fine arts and crafts, vendors, interactive children’s activities, and more.

Activities will take place in two locations: Speer Park and the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center.

At the arts and heritage center, Westly’s Sixth Annual Virtual 5K inperson event kicks off at 9 a.m. and continues to the Healthy West Orange Fresh Start Zone at Speer Park. Register at bit.ly/3JO7aT3. The Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble will perform on the center porch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Soul Haven Ranch will offer horse-drawn carriage tours beginning on Petris Avenue outside the center. Register at bit.ly/3X1QflF.

Folks can do their part in preserv-

If You Go

OAKLAND HERITAGE DAY

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28

WHERE: Historic downtown Oakland — Speer Park, 331 N. Tubb St.; and Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center, 126 W. Petris Ave.

WHAT TO BRING: Chair or blanket to enjoy the live entertainment; old Oakland photos, family documents, artifacts and stories to donate, copy or share at the heritage center ing the town’s history by participating in a History Harvest. The town is hoping attendees will take their historic items relating to Oakland to the center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to be donated, loaned or scanned.

The center’s art and history exhibit will celebrate black heritage in Florida and Oakland with a soft opening of a new exhibition, “Hold Fast to Dreams,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The art exhibit delves into the town’s black heritage, starting with the growing workforce after the Civil

War of citrus, lumber and turpentine, and continuing through the arrival of the railroad and the refurbishing of the Historic African American Cemetery.

The exhibition also highlights many of Oakland’s black leaders, as well as families that have lived in the town for generations.

At Speer Park, The Gerry Williams Band, a funk, soul and R&B act, headlines the festival, with additional performances by soloist Kelly Jarrard and Handpicked, a banjo trio known for its residency at a local theme park. Food trucks will offer Burger Fi, Smoking Soul BBQ, Razzo’s Pizzeria and Hot Dog Therapy; and West Orange Creamery will have sweet treats, and a beer and wine garden.

The Oakland Nature Preserve is sponsoring Historic Florida, which will feature blacksmiths, animal ambassadors and a silent auction benefitting the preserve. Gatorland will bring live alligators, snakes and exotic reptile encounters.

For more information, visit oaklandfl.gov/999/Community-Events.

The event is presented by Orlando Health in partnership with Healthy West Orange and the Oakland Nature Preserve.

“Oakland Heritage Day at Speer Park has been a long-standing event that allows residents and attendees to enjoy the history, as well as all the arts and crafts, food, and beverages the vendors have to offer,” Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark said. “There will be bands, music and a hands-on educational offering from Gatorland Orlando. Runners can take part in Westly’s 6th Annual 5K held by Healthy West Orange.

“This event has a long history in Oakland and has gotten better year after year,” Stark said. “I always look forward to seeing residents I know and meeting new residents and attendees. Oakland has much to be proud of, and this is a great way to have fun and learn about our town at the same time.”

State Of The City

The commission screened a State of the City video to summarize the achievements of 2022 and the future projects scheduled for 2023 during its Tuesday, Jan. 17, meeting.

“It has been my honor to serve you as your mayor since 2015,” Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said in the video. “It’s been the city’s commitment to create smart, sustainable and safe development, we are no longer that small West Orange town.”

Headlining the Ocoee achievements in 2022 was the opening of its new City Hall. This $22 million project is part of the city’s downtown revitalization. Because construction was completed under budget, more parking spaces were added on Oakland Avenue, the sewer system to serve downtown businesses on the north side of McKey Street was extended, and there will be another parking area added on Lakewood Avenue.

Utilities Department

n Completed McKey Street water main upgrade as part of McKey Street reconstruction and utility improvements — added wider sidewalks and additional parking for the downtown area and finished phase one of the water main upgrades on West Oakland Avenue.

n Treated 631 million gallons of wastewater provided 1.345 billion gallons of potable water and 1.486 billion gallons of replanting water for citizens.

CRA n The overall property value with the CRA and the taxable property value for the CRA has increased from $157,484,822 in 2006 to more than $418 million in 2022.

n The CRA also began construction of the Healthy West Orange Wellness Park on South Bluford Avenue near the Ocoee Police Station. The park will include four shaded wellness stations and .5mile perimeter walking path. The West Orange Healthcare District awarded the CRA with a $2.25 million grant for the construction of the wellness park. Total cost is $2.75 million. It is expected to open this year.

Major Projects

n McKey Street reconstruction between Bluford Avenue and Lakewood Avenue n North Lakewood/East Oakland reconstruction n West Oakland/North Cumberland improvements, phase I drainage and utility upgrades

Ocoee Fire Department

n Ocoee Fire Department responded to a total of 6,347 calls for services. Of those, more than 5,000 were for medical calls. The department transported 3,398 patients.

2023 Utilities Plans

n Relocating of existing utilities on North Clarke Road to accommodate widening and expansion of sanitary sewer to Floral Street in the downtown area n Wastewater facility tower upgrade design as well as continued replacement of system components that have met their service life n Utility improvements from Bluford Avenue to Delaware Street to State Road 50

Parks And Programs

n Renovated pickleball courts at Tiger Minor Park n Inclusive playground at Tiger Minor Park n Installed disc golf course at Prairie Lake Park n Escape Park at Vandergrift Central Park n Fitness center at the Jim Beech center moved to the Vignette Fitness Center n New girls youth volleyball league