Wick Park revitalization gains momentum

YOUNGSTOWN — A group of community organizations has set out to revitalize Wick Park, and with it a highly visible city neighborhood in the advanced stages of decline.

Local activist Phil Kidd is leading the charge to improve the historic park that once served as the focal point of one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods.

So far, Kidd has enlisted the help of Leadership Mahoning Valley, Treez Please, First Unitarian Church and Wick Neighbors. And the 28-year-old creator of the Defend Youngstown Web site has only begun his appeals for assistance.

Kidd hopes to convene the groups in mid-January to begin planning improvements and organizing a fundraising campaign.

Initial plans include creating an urban garden, replacing brick entrance ways, mending park benches, and repairing the park’s now-defunct fountain. In addition, Kidd hopes to add landscaping, install playground equipment and secure donated artwork from local artists.

“We want to stabilize the neighborhood,” said Kidd.

For more, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com