Service Director Dispels Rumor of Plans to Turn Xidas Park Into a Parking Lot

At the October 16, 2025, Wilmington City Council Meeting, Public Service Director Michael Crowe dispelled a rumor circulating on social media that the city is planning to demolish Xidas Park and turn it into a parking lot—located at the corner of Sugartree Street and South Street.

Crowe stated that a woman approached him asking about the rumor that had been gaining traction on social media. To ease community concerns, Crowe stated, "There was a gentleman [that] posted that we intend or had conversations about tearing down Xidas Park and putting in a parking lot... Couldn't be anything further from the truth than that. That's never been a discussion... [It's] not true."

Jason Stoops, owner of Midnight Auto Repair located at 70 W Sugartree Street, claimed to have heard the rumor and raise the initial concern on social media. Stoops stated, "Jim Xidas [who the park was named in memory of after his murder in 2011] was a customer [of mine] from way back, so that plan [to demolish the park] needed squashed before it even hit a committee." Stoops went on to express gratitude for Public Service Director Michael Crowe for "squashing that."

To learn more about Wilmington City Council or watch previous meetings, visit wilmingtonohio.gov.