Oak Grove
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In 1955, Abe & Rose Kennedy, along with Abe’s parents, started to build Oak Grove Trailer Park on 20 acres of Palmetto-covered land. This land had been earlier purchased by Abe’s parents in partnership with his aunt and uncle. Later, Abe traded his property in Englewood Isles for his aunt and uncle's half-share of Oak Grove.
The first construction was a combination bath house and laundry room built by Abe and Rose on Lot 18A. Travel units were not self-contained at that time. The Kennedy’s did this work after they returned each day from their jobs outside the park. The second construction was a 16 x 26 block building which was the beginning of our present Recreation Hall. This was also Abe and Rose’s sleeping quarters until about 1961. Later, another 18 foot expansion was added to the recreation hall. In 1969, the present Recreation Hall was constructed. In 2000, a new extension of the Recreation Building was completed. It includes laundry facilities, rest rooms, and showers.
In 1960, Abe Kennedy constructed a sewage plant, drain lines, and water lines, providing service to one block at a time. It took four years to secure the proper zoning to develop the remainder of the park. In 1964, Englewood Water District began service to parts of Oak Grove. Blocks 1, 2, and 3 were served by Park wells until 1996 when full connection to the Englewood sewage system was completed by the Homeowners Association, Oak Grove, Inc.
On September 30, 1985, Daniel E. Lemonde, P.L.S., State of Florida Cert. No. 2909 wrote to Abe Kennedy that Oak Grove Mobile Home Park, consisting of 178 sites, is from 12.10 feet to 14.7 feet above mean sea level. The entire site lies above 12.0 feet above mean sea level. Mr. Lemonde certified this to be true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief, for the firm of Lemonde Surveying, Inc.
In the early 1990's, residents created the Oak Grove Homeowners Association and began the process of buying the park from the Kennedy family. The Association purchased the park in January 1995, officially establishing Oak Grove Mobile Home Park as a resident-owned cooperative.
Celebrating Oak Grove:
Celebrating Oak Grove:
A poem, written by Harold Gregory, was read at the Oak Grove Celebration Party on January 31, 1995. This same poem was read on March 29, 2025 at Oak Grove's 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Ode to Oak Grove
A few months ago
we were all told
Oak Grove Park
was about to be sold.
But thanks to the efforts
of a precious few
the Park now belongs
to me and to you.
I guess you could say
It was their ambition
To form this perfect
coalition.
From this day forward
Let it be known
“We” have control
of our own destiny.
Isn’t it wonderful
I think it’s great
Let’s have a party
And celebrate!
Oak Grove Trivia:
Oak Grove Trivia:
In the early years, Thanksgiving dinners were held outside in the area of Lot 36. Today, all holiday dinners are held at the Recreation Building.
During the early days of the park, residents would have huge bonfires, swapping stories, singing songs, and playing guitars in the area of Lot 19.
The first street to be paved was Morningside Drive, along the east side of the park. This provided residents a paved road to their street. This project made bike riders very happy.
Route 776 was the Tamiami Trail until 1938. At that time, route 41 was extended south from Bill Buck’s Chevrolet, becoming a continuation of the Tamiami Trail.
An old scrapbook in 1959 mentioned a newspaper article stating the Little Acorn Club under the direction of Karl Wright and his committee was having a set of by-laws drawn up.
Park maps show that before the pool and north parking lot were developed the area was called Mrs. Lane’s House. Bertha Louise Lane (also known as “Mammy”) was one of Oak Grove’s early partners. In a 1970 yearbook, Mrs. Lane was acknowledged with this saying, “She had a dream among the tall Oak Trees…”
The office of Oak Grove Mobile Home Park was moved in 1996 from 29A to its long-time location at unit 30A. Following damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, the office was moved to its current location within the Recreation Building.
A heated swimming pool was added in 2002 for the enjoyment of park residents and guests. In 2024, a chiller was added so that residents and guests could enjoy the pool through the warm summer months.
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