Neighbors gather for IdoraFest

YOUNGSTOWN

With the smell of barbecue chicken in the air and the sounds of kids cheering and playing, Idora Neighborhood residents and supporters celebrated improvements made to this South Side area.

“We want to thank the community for doing great things,” said Jim London, president of the Idora Neighborhood Association, which organized the first IdoraFest, a block party Saturday on McFarland Avenue between Woodford and Parkview avenues, next to the location of the former Idora Park amusement park.

The Idora Neighborhood is in and around Old Furnace and Canfield roads, Glenwood Avenue and near Mill Creek Park. The area is about 1.2 miles wide and takes in about 600 houses, London said.

While there is much more work needed in the neighborhood, about 50 vacant houses have been demolished, other vacant homes are painted and boarded up, new street signs with “Idora Neighborhood” on them are all over the community, several community gardens thrive here and regular neighborhood cleanups are held.

“Things are good here,” said John Lanning, who lives on Ottawa Drive with his wife and two daughters. “It’s about time the South Side gets back on its feet. It’s good to bring the community together for this. It makes the community stronger. We’re meeting our neighbors and making sure we watch out for each other.”