Oakdale Square Alliance Kicks Off Spring Cleaning

More than 20 local volunteers closed out earth month with a spring-cleaning event in Oakdale Square on Saturday. 

The Oakdale Square Alliance hosted the community gathering outside the . The group was formed in February 2010 to improve the overall quality of Oakdale Square by revitalizing the area.   

The second annual event included street sweepers, volunteers collecting trash and a barbeque. The clean up featured a community effort as citizens worked together to beautify the Square.

"There are a lot of different people bringing a lot of different things to the table," said Oakdale Square Alliance treasurer John Healy. "There are a lot of different talents."

Healy, a lawyer from Healy Law Offices LLP, recognizes the condition of Oakdale Square is a town-wide issue.  

"Volunteers have been working together to get something done," Healy said. "The whole town of Dedham has a vested interest in Oakdale Square."

The alliance has grown from 15 members to 175 in less than 15 months. The group has given concerned citizens an opportunity to make Oakdale Square a fun place to visit.

"[The OSA] grew out of being frustrated with the state of the Square," OSA secretary Stephanie Radner said. "We're trying to create a nice place for people to hang out."

Radner, a Dedham resident since 1998, said the group's goal has been to engage the community in their efforts. The OSA has made progress in reaching its goal. 

"It can be a win-win-win for business owners, property owners and community members if we work together," Radner said.

Several participants not only donated their time, but also gave food and supplies for the event.

Dedham resident Chuck Della Iacono, a chef with the Chuck Wagon, offered a grill for the barbeque following the clean up.

"I generally enjoy giving back to the community," Della Iacono said. "I can never say no to giving a donation."

The group has been successful in its efforts thus far, and will look to expand its work in the future. 

"We've had some basic goals such as planting flowers and getting people involved," said Marilyn Weber, one of the Oakdale Square Alliance’s founding members. "And it has snowballed."

Despite the success, the clean up of Oakdale Square if far from finished. 

"It's an ongoing process," Healy said. "[The clean up] is a thing that could go on all summer."

The OSA hosts meetings on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss ways to improve the Square.