Five Oaks - Dayton, OH

In 1854, Jeremiah H. Pierce, a local lard oil manufacturer, built his Victorian-style home on four acres of land north of Dayton. He named his estate Five Oaks after the five stately oaks trees located on the property. Members of the Pierce family occupied the residence until the 1930s, and in 1946, the city of Dayton purchased the land to develop Five Oaks MetroPark. Dayton experienced a population boom after World War II that expanded the area to include the Five Oaks neighborhood surrounding the park.

Five Oaks residents often take advantage of Downtown Dayton's lively arts scene by visiting the art galleries or seeing a play the Victoria Theater or the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. The Dayton Arts Institute sits less than a mile south of Five Oaks, and the downtown area hosts an array of annual events, including the Hispanic Heritage and CITYFOLK festivals.

As a mostly residential neighborhood, Five Oaks features a small restaurant scene. Two restaurants have neighborhood locations, Grandma's II Restaurant and Benjamin's the Burger Master, both on North Main Street.

Grandma's II, a classic American diner, opens daily from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. to serve a wide selection of breakfast and lunch dishes. This small greasy spoon diner remains a popular breakfast location, and diners rave about Grandma's omelets, which come with toast and home fries. For lunch, Grandma's serves everything from chicken salad on a bed of lettuce topped with sliced tomatoes to submarine sandwiches, turkey melts, and burgers.

A family-friendly restaurant filled with antiques, Benjamin's the Burger Master serves food cafeteria-style. The locally-owned establishment serves some of the best burgers in the Dayton area and gives you the choice of a different special each day, including meatloaf, ribs, and fried chicken. Patrons rave about the mac-and-cheese and fresh-cooked fried okra, two of the restaurant's must-order side dishes.

For date night, drive across the bridge to Downtown Dayton's only wine bar. The Wine Gallery and Cafe features an extensive wine selection, includes a generous selection of rice wines, and provides a variety of lunch and dinner entrees. Locals know to order the baked brie appetizer, which comes topped with mango chili chutney sauce and is served with a toasted baguette. Follow up your appetizer with a strip steak topped with an onion Blue cheese sauce or the wild mushroom stuffed ravioli served in a creamy roasted red pepper sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Five Oaks residents venture into Downtown Dayton for a night on the town. Several bars line the cobblestone streets in the Oregon District, including Ned Peppers Bar and Newcom's. Ned Peppers Bar features several pool tables, dart boards, and a dance floor. Locals visit Ned Peppers Bar for its affordable drinks and the live DJ that entertains weekend crowds. Newcom's features an upstairs dance floor and hosts a weekend DJ as well. However, the outside bar area in particular draws people to Newcom's. The patio seating area features a small tiki-style bar, loud music, and limited seating options.

Even though some of Dayton's paved bike trails run through the Five Oaks neighborhood, the mostly residential area doesn't have dedicated bike lanes. Most Five Oaks residents prefer to drive their own vehicles. The neighborhood features free on-street parking as well as free parking lots, and its proximity to the downtown area makes it easy for residents to access State Route 35 and Interstate 75. If you prefer public transportation, the Greater Dayton RTA buses run through the area.

The Five Oaks Spray Park features a water-play area to keep kids cool in the summer. While many families enjoy visiting Five Oaks Spray Park, adjacent neighborhoods house several larger parks filled with amenities.

RiverScape MetroPark sits in Downtown Dayton along the banks of the Miami River. The free public park features an interactive fountain for kids and the Bike Hub, the hub of more than 60 miles of paved trails that run throughout Montgomery County. For a fee, park guests can go kayaking in the summer and ice skating in the winter. RiverScape also hosts several annual events throughout the year, including the city's Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display.

Island MetroPark, located on Helena Avenue, spans 33 acres directly across the river from the RiverScape MetroPark. The family-friendly park features a playground, a water-play area, two miles of paved trails, and a stage where live music performances are held in the summer. Dogs are welcome at Island MetroPark as long as they remain on their leashes, but many dog owners visit Deeds Park on Webster Street because it has an off-leash dog area.

The cost of living in Five Oaks is slightly percent higher than the rest of Dayton. Residents can expect to pay around $540 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Five Oaks, $1.75 for a one-way bus ride, and between $3 and $5 for a beer at a local bar. Area commuters enjoy gas prices that average approximately four percent lower than the national average.

The Five Oaks shopping scene consists of a handful of markets and shops along North Main Street. For department stores, chain retail locations, and high-end stores, residents travel to nearby shopping areas such as the Dayton Mall, Greene Town Center, and the Mall at Fairfield Commons.

Sadie's House, a discount gift shop on North Main Street, sells an array of coffee mugs, holiday ornaments, and cards. The small store also features a line of dog- and cat-themed items. Also on North Main Street, the Candy & Nut Store sells a variety of personalized gifts, chocolate-filled tins, and party favors. The shop features a wide selection of candy, chocolate, and nuts.

Five Oaks residents visit United Foods and People's Market on North Main Street to pick up necessities in between large grocery shopping trips. Adjacent neighborhoods house several grocery stores, including Save-A-Lot and IGA Supermarkets. The closest farmers market is located on Second Street in Downtown Dayton. The year-round 2nd Street Market opens from Thursday to Saturday each week.