BOARDMAN, Ohio - Southern Park Mall now has a lot more to offer than shopping.

After two years in the making, the mall officially unveiled the community attraction DeBartolo Commons, a multi-use green space and event center for recreation, entertainment, fitness and more.

"We've designed something that's not just strictly retail space but it's actually an experiential event center," Southern Park Mall General Manager Brian Gabbert said. 

DeBartolo Commons includes four acres of green space, a hike and bike trail, restaurants and areas to sit and hang out open to the public from dusk until dawn. 

Also, coming next month is a brand-new ice rink and then a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree. 

"Anything from food trucks and bounce houses and kiosks... there are a number of things we can out here for weekend events, day-long events...evening events," Gabbert said, "We're set up to be able to handle a lot of different opportunities and we're excited for what those will be."

From live concerts to yoga on the green, plans are to transform this green space into entertainment venues and community events with food and festivities, also offering potential rental opportunities to the public.

"We've got sound systems, stage lights, all of that stuff so it'll be very exciting," he said, "You can bring your family, you can bring your kids, there's any number of events here that'll be going on throughout the year and that's been our focus in creating a community gathering place."

DeBartolo Commons' grand opening is next Saturday, October 23rd, where they will kick off a big celebration hosting family-friendly activities, including bounce houses, pony rides and more. 

The restaurants there are expected to be open in the near future.