About Mark Dickens

Mark was born in Lakewood and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1996.  Like most of us, 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. Mark and his family would be honored to have him remebered in such a relevant way.

How to Buy a Brick?

All you need to do is download the form below, fill it out, and mail it and a check to:

Art Gold
C/O LOBC Bricks
1098 Forest Cliff Dr.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107

MVD Brick For

The supporters well represented the LOBC’s methods of returning hoops to the city of Lakewood –respectful and disciplined.  Though one of the councilmen explained that the City Council does not possess the power to bring basketball back to Lakewood, the results of the previous City Council meeting told us otherwise.  With such short notice, it really showed the city how easy it is to find support for free outdoor basketball.

This was a great preface to our meeting with the Mayor scheduled for July 6th.  There, we will be asking for a commitment for more hoop locations throughout the city.  We could never do this without your support!  THANK YOU!

You can read more about the City Council meeting at:

• http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10211
• http://lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/more-than-100-people-show-up-for-lakewood-city-council-meeting

The court is well used by neighborhood kids. Many of the adolescents playing at Kauffman Park attend Grant Elementary and Harding Middle School. Although Kauffman was not the first choice of location for LOBC, due to its proximity to residents, the group states the location has been a huge success. “Kauffman was intended to be set up as a third or fourth location. For neighborhood adolescents, the court has been very useful,” says Gold. LOBC will soon mount a public relations campaign, which focuses on adding two more court locations for 2012. “The kids are the only ones hurt by not having access to neighborhood parks. We know the mayor will see our vision through.”

Mayor Michael P. Summers agrees—a balance between residential units and parks must exist:

"It is very important Lakewood continues to do all it can as a community to promote healthy activities and wellness. Getting kids off the couch and into our parks with physical activity is important. As a very, very densely populated city, utilizing and resolving conflicts over our limited amount of shared space is a big part of the Lakewood culture. We will continue to work hard to reconcile the needs of our residential community and the needs of activity in our shared space."

In order to reduce noise at the current location, the city will soon put in a sound barrier, as well as, install cameras throughout the park. It is part of an ongoing effort to make Lakewood’s park system more secure.

• Mayor, Michael Summers
• Ward2 Councilman, Tom Bullock
• School Board President, Matthew Markling
• School Board Member, Ed Favre
• Ward 2 Police Officer, Angie Ortiz
• LHS Varsity Basketball Coach, Phil Argento
• Owner of the Lakewood Observer, Jim O'Bryan

Mayor Summers dropping knowledge, recommendations, and inspiration to Lakewood's youth.	Nadhal Eadeh (LOBC) welcoming Mayor Michael Summers' support and guidance.

So far, the Kauffman Park Hoops Pilot Program has been a huge success, but we still want hear how we can improve our services from the neighborhood.  This will be an open forum to discuss your feedback about public basketball hoops in Lakewood, OH.  We will also be announcing our plans for this summer that include more programs such as fun events and 3 on 3 tournaments.  Please feel free to bring your thoughts, suggestions, a basketball, your friends, and anything else you can think of.

This Courtside Meeting will take place April 13th, 6:00pm, at the Kauffman Park hoops.  See you there!

.................................

We're hosting our very first annual FUNdraiser April 2nd at 6pm.  Come watch the Final Four with us at Around the Corner!  You can securely order tickets below using Paypal/Credit Card, or just email us at committee@lobc.org and let us know you'll be sending us a check made out to:

The Lakewood Foundation
Memo: LOBC Event
16024 Madison Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107

$20 per adult and $10 per student/child will earn you all you can eat pizza, wings, and a chance to win plenty of prizes.  You can also RSVP to our Facebook event.  Hope to see you there!!

We'll be there helping to manage a couple of hoops that will be available to play on.? Make sure to stop by and check it out.

Also, as an effort to have fun AND spread awareness of our cause, we’re looking for some volunteers (actually 20 to be exact). ? We’re going to be printing out t-shirts with our logo on the front and a short message on the back and 1,000+ flyers.? All we’re asking for our volunteers to do is wear our t-shirt and pass out some flyers while having a good time at the event.

We think this would be a fun and effective way to reach out to the community. So, if you want to help spread the word (or even if you just want to do it for the awesome t-shirt), let us know by emailing committee@lobc.org.

THANKS!!!