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PARK STEWARDSHIP
Guardian Angels for Neighborhood Green Spaces
The Oakland Parks
Coalition (OPC) is a volunteer organization that seeks to preserve and improve
conditions in Oakland Parks through advocacy and park stewardship. It carries
out its mission with the support of Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation. In
these difficult fiscal times OPC is especially concerned about the ongoing
vitality of our park system.
In the newly
released City Auditor’s “Performance Audit of the Public Works Agency”, PWA is
cited for “not providing an adequate level of service in the maintenance of the
City’s parks.” This critique comes as no surprise since budget shortfalls have
taken their toll on park maintenance staffing. With significant reductions in
staffing last fall and deeper cuts to come, the challenge of maintaining our
parks adequately is weighty.
The report also
states that “The Park Maintenance Section should enhance its collaborative
relationship with volunteers to encourage, develop, and honor volunteer
contributions as vital to the success of the Section’s efforts to maintain
parks.” OPC is key in that collaboration and so are Oakland citizens!
If you are an
Oaklander who loves your city, your neighborhood and your parks and you wish to
play a part in protecting them OPC is asking you to become an official Park
Steward. As a steward you will have a choice of ways to care for your park.
For example, you may choose to monitor the park for problems and to report them
to Public Works Agency.
If you already
participate in the care of your park or, if you would like to begin here’s what
you can do to become a Park Steward:
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Visit
www.oaklandparkscoalition.org
and go to Park Stewardship
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Download
the Stewardship Pledge, fill it out and mail it to the address at the bottom
of the pledge document. We will mail you a copy of your pledge, a “Park
Steward” badge, and a handy resource kit that will make it easy for you to
form a support group for your park.
Pledge now and be
a part of the solution. Become a Park Steward and help to protect our property
values, our neighborhoods, and our city.
To learn more
about the Oakland Parks Coalition program of support and advocacy for parks
visit
www.oaklandparkscoalition.org.
2007 OPC Annual Report
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