Man volunteers time, funds to fix Wick Park

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Youngstown man who lives across the street from Wick Park is taking it upon himself to fix the many items in disrepair.

The fountain on the corner of Elm and Park Avenue has lights and no longer over-sprays onto the concrete.

It’s all thanks to a man who just wants to be known as Allan.

“It’s all fine and good for ya’ll to sit back and complain but how about somebody actually gets up and does something?” Allan said.

It started with the benches which were falling into disrepair.

“The whole back was gone and only two of the seat planks were left so it was this big open frame with two little pieces of wood right in the middle — and that started it,” he said.

Allan grew up in Youngstown and he hates seeing Wick Park in what he says is a state of disrepair.

“Living in Parkway Tower, Wick Park was my front yard. It’s like a missing tooth in a smile. That is Wick Park. That’s why I care. This is the neighborhood I grew up and came of age in.”

Nearly a month ago, he took things into his own hands working almost every day to make the park look better, installing recycling cans, filling in gaps in the concrete and making sure burnt-out street lights turn on.

“It was a Wick descendant that designed and built this corner and gave it to the city of Youngstown, the same way his ancestors literally gave the land that the park stands on to Youngstown. It was a gift, a very expensive gift,” Allan said.

It’s a gift he feels has been neglected. Third ward councilwoman Samantha Turner says Allan’s approach is unorthodox but allowed as many other volunteer organizations work to beautify Youngstown’s green spaces. Allan just works on his own for free.

Allan says giving back when life has been good to you is what you’re supposed to do.

“You start to think about what your legacy is. How do you want to be remembered when you do leave here? Wouldn’t it be great to go out with a bang and do something nice that helps everybody?”

Allan needs to fix a few more benches and then he’ll take a break before moving on to even more projects in the park.

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