Lakewoods Campus Conceptual Improvement Plan

Throughout 2024, TDC partnered with the Area Office on Aging to improve connection and walkability on the Lakewoods Campus. The historically rich service area in south Toledo is home to many older adults and vital health and human services.

In partnership with AOoA, TDC led a months-long community engagement and design strategy to inform conceptual improvements to the Lakewoods Campus. What began as a simple plan to address disconnections between sidewalks across the campus led to the more robust and comprehensive plan about improving quality of life on the campus.

Dating back to the 1830s, the Lakewoods site has long-served populations in need. AOoA, along with other on-site service partners continue this tradition today, including the Margaret Hunt Senior Center, Sight Center of NW Ohio, Lakewoods I, II, and III apartments, Garden Lake Apartments, Commons at Garden Lake, Arlington by the Lake, Advanced Healthcare Center, NWO Development Center, and Lucas County Board of Disabilities, among others.

Situated in the center of the campus sits Lake Virginia, named for longtime AOoA advocate and supporter, Virginia Secor Stranahan. As the campus walkability plan developed, accessing this water source on campus became a focal point of the engagement and planning mission. The Lakewoods plan promotes not just better connectivity for the more than 1,000 residents, employees, and users of the campus, but enhances connectivity across sites and services. This is achieved by proposing walking trails that access the water features, promote healthy lifestyles, and increase opportunities to relax, commune, and connect with nature and each other.

The Lakewoods Campus Conceptual Improvement Plan is unique in that it is informed by more than 400 residents, staff, and stakeholders who call this campus home and those with a deep commitment to its importance to the greater Toledo community.