30-03-2025
GLO gets closer to park after five years of wins
We're only a few months into 2025, and many groups are making big leaps in progress when it comes to accomplishing their mission. One group that has done nothing but make waves in big ways turns five this year and has a lot to show for it already.
Growing Lucasville Opportunities was dreamed up by a group of community leaders and business owners during the pandemic and went into full swing as soon as things opened back up. The idea was simple: Lucasville needed a park, and residents needed a reason to be proud of the township. The group started small with programs and events that benefited the community while making big plans for a park. Over the coming years, they'd receive major grants and donations, step up their event game to major feats and become a household name.
The idea for the park came when leaders of GLO saw people ordering food on lunchbreaks during the shutdown but had nowhere to eat. The indoor dining options were closed and there was no park. People were sitting in the cemetery and in parking lots to eat out of their car. This gave them the idea of starting a park project, since the township has never had one.
They didn't think small, however, and pulled together a plan to include a covered structure, a war memorial, a playground, hiking trails, an amphitheater and more. They collected big and small donations, won grants and even competed in a national competition with Kubota to bring home big cash donations and national attention.
'Last year was good to us, with our drive-in and community tree lighting events; people are becoming expectant of these events and get excited each year,' GLO's Treg Cunningham said. 'We made a lot of progress in the park development as well. The amphitheater project is pretty much wrapped up now, which was the largest phase of the community park project. We are over the hill with the overall park project, but we're halfway there now and we are going to begin wrapping up.'
The organization also added the Southern Ohio War Memorial to the park last year, in partnership with the Memorial Committee.
'It is a beautiful memorial honoring killed in action service members from eight southern Ohio counties going back to World War I,' GLO's Kenny Boldman said. 'The monuments, military flags and brick pavers are a beautiful new addition in 2024. We also have pavers that can be purchased for $35 to honor any honorably discharged southern Ohio service member.'
Pavers can be ordered by calling 740.285.5778 or contacting any Lucasville American Legion member.
Boldman also spoke heavily about the group's recently purchased playground equipment and previous accomplishments, such as the covered meeting structure and the future plans of hiking trails and more. According to Boldman, the playground element is essential to the park's purpose.
'Lucasville has never had a community park or playground for the kids. Our order has been placed, and we expect the materials to arrive in the next couple months,' Boldman explained. 'So, next summer, we will be working on building our playground for the kids, which is exciting.'
Boldman also commented on the growth of events managed by GLO.
'We are seeing an increase of interest in people pertaining to the events we are doing,' Boldman said. '2024 was a good year for several things that we did, and it will impact us in the future. With the amphitheater completed, we're looking forward to hosting some concerts and events in the park.'
Events have included Christmas tree lightings with massive opportunities for things to do, other smaller events, and the revival of the Lucasville Scioto Breeze Drive-in, which has welcomed thousands back into Lucasville chasing nostalgia.
With the community park getting closer and closer to completion, and more interest building in the group's endeavors, Cunningham explained that the GLO event committee is currently evaluating the slate of events.
'We've been doing well with events, but that committee is going back to the drawing board this year to see how we can improve events and new things we can add to the calendar, including events and festivals,' Cunningham said. 'The tree lighting and drive in should continue, but we are not done looking at ways of improving GLO as an organization while providing more opportunities to the community.'
Cunningham, Boldman, and the rest of GLO members are excited to see so much of their plan coming together and manifesting, their events continuing to grow, and opportunities for Lucasville to improve in the future.
'It's exciting to think about our achievements,' Cunningham said. 'We go back and forth on this topic as an organization when we hit a roadblock or feel discouraged. When we can look back, knowing we started between four and five years ago and are half a million dollars into this park project; it is a big accomplishment for this group and community as a whole. We've had a lot of support from the community and look forward to growing.'
Follow GLO on Facebook for updates on their park planning and event.
