Congratulations to our partners at the City of Oakland for securing more than $7 million from the Clean California Local Grant Program to support Oakland parks. Announced on March 1, the new grants will fund the restoration of Courtland Creek Park and the beautification of 9 mini parks in underserved communities across the city.
The California Department of Transportation developed the Clean California Local Grant Program to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways and transit centers. This effort enhances communities and improves spaces for walking and recreation by adding beautification measures and art to public spaces, along with the removal of litter and debris.
Read on for more details below.
Oakland Mini Parks Beautification
The project aims to beautify nine mini parks in Oakland’s underserved communities. The goal is to invite recreation and promote healthy social gathering. The project will install BBQ pits and play structures. Play areas will be re-surfaced and new park furniture and accessible seating will be installed. The project will also install nine drinking fountains to reduce consumption of sugary beverages and use of disposable plastic bottles, 42 shade trees to reduce the urban heat island effect, and landscaping with new irrigation. Fourteen animal-proof trash receptacles and new lighting, fencing and gates will also be installed. These features will provide access for proper litter disposal and deter illegal dumping. These enhancements will significantly beautify and improve these public spaces and promote community connection and recreation in low income neighborhoods with high concentrations of Black and Brown residents.
Courtland Creek Restoration
The City of Oakland’s Courtland Creek Restoration Project in Courtland Creek Park will restore 140,000 square feet of public parkland including 950 linear feet of urban stream and 1500 linear feet of recreational trail. The project will stabilize creek banks to protect properties, improve riparian habitat through native drought-tolerant plantings, abate litter and illegal dumping, and beautify the park to benefit an underserved community. In addition, the project will remove waste from the Park and install anti-littering signage, additional waste disposal containers, physical features to deter future littering and dumping, and will provide accessible seating, trail surfacing, curb ramps, gathering places, a creek overlook, interpretative signage/art, and increased nature-based recreation and educational opportunities for the community. The project will improve access for people of all ages and abilities and will improve safety and enhance community connection.