Oakdale residents and former residents gathered Sunday to clean up the long-neglected Oakdale Playground.

“This is a very big deal for Oakdale. It’s been a long time coming,” said Laura Lopes, one of about 30 people on hand to lend a hand.

Many residents of the neighborhood off of Sandwich Road recalled the time when they would, as children, swim across the bordering Wareham River. Now, the area between the playground and the river has been overtaken by weeds and other vegetation, and the water is no longer easily accessible.

“My grandkids are always in this park. That’s what we’re doing it for,” said Lisa Robertson.

“We grew up here,” said Sandie Silva, one of the organizers. “Our goal is to get the playground cleaned up and maybe try to get some equipment donated. The stuff that’s here now has been here over 50 or 60 years.”

Several members of the wider Wareham community were also on hand to help, including Selectmen Chair Alan Slavin and his wife Sandy.

“People are stepping up, and they’re doing it. This is a strong community,” said Slavin. “We’re trying to get residents to take ownership of their areas, and that’s what they’re doing here. They can have events here. It’s a beautiful spot.”

Slavin said the town could create access to the river in the form of an area where small boats such as kayaks and canoes could be launched.

“It could happen here,” he said. “We’ll have to figure that out with the Conservation Commission. The question is, ‘How do we do it?’ "

Silva said the playground used to belong to the people in the area, but it was eventually turned over to the town.

“It’s such a beautiful playground,” added Silva, noting that she’d like to see the basketball courts that are currently there get some attention as well. “As we grew up and left the area, it became overgrown. You want families to come down here with their children and enjoy it."

Organizers of the cleanup also used the event to recognize 103-year-old Mary Mendes. 

“She’s the oldest Cape Verdean in Oakdale,” said Silva.