L to R: Live Oak owners Aaron Deckrow and Renee Deckrow; mParks Professional Recognition Committee member Linda Walter
November 19, 2021 – Midland Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce that local business Live Oak Coffeehouse has been named the recipient of a 2021 Michigan Recreation and Parks Association (mParks) Community Service Award.
The award, given annually to individuals and groups who show outstanding support to public recreation and park programs in their community, was presented to owners Aaron and Renee Deckrow during a City Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, on Wednesday, November 3.
Live Oak Coffeehouse was nominated for the award by Parks and Recreation for its instrumental role in the revitalization of Grove Park, a historic 5.2-acre park located on Grove Street between Ashman and Rodd streets. The park underwent a significant revitalization in 2020 and 2021, funded in part by the Midland Noon Rotary Club and catalyzed by Live Oak Coffeehouse’s enthusiastic support.
“From its popular Gather at Grove events, to its encouraging the Midtown neighborhood to engage in the Grove Park master planning process, to its promotion and celebration of our parks and amenities, Live Oak Coffeehouse has been a champion for Parks and Recreation in so many invaluable ways,” said Marcie Post, City of Midland Assistant Director of Public Services. “We are so grateful for the Deckrows, Live Oak, and their tireless efforts in support of the people and places of Midtown and the Midland community.”
“We absolutely love Midland, and anything we have done is a response of gratitude for all the things our community, the City, and specifically Midland Parks and Recreation does to make it a welcoming place to live,” said Live Oak owner Renee Deckrow. “We are so grateful and honored to accept this on behalf of the Live Oak community and want to thank the Midtown Neighborhood Association; our Midtown neighbors, non-profits, and businesses; and the Midland Noon Rotary for coming alongside us to care for the Grove Park area. We love being a part of this hospitable and intentional community and look forward to the continuing ripple effects of love.”
Live Oak Coffeehouse is located at 711 Ashman Street in Midland.
For more information on the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association, please visit www.mparks.org.