MOSSWOOD PARK
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
This article is part of our Oakland Parks Guide. Sign up for our email newsletter to receive Oakland park news, volunteer opportunities and inspiring outdoor ideas throughout the year!
An expansive green space at the edge of downtown Oakland, Mosswood Park is an iconic Oakland institution rich with history and culture. Mosswood Park combines the names of 19th century Oaklanders J. Mora Moss and Julia Wood, whose 1864 Carpenter Gothic style Victorian mansion still stands at the center of the site. The former Mosswood estate became a public park between 1909 and 1911, thereafter hosting pre-NBA basketball players on its courts, important cultural events on its grounds and everyday Oaklanders throughout the years.
Park Activities
Reviewers place Mosswood Park near the top of any list of great Oakland parks. This historic site is notable for beautiful grounds populated by old growth oaks, pines and eucalyptus trees and the sheer variety of available activities. The J. Mora Moss House, declared an Oakland Heritage Landmark in 1975, provides an attractive focal point from which basketball courts, a baseball field, playgrounds, a community garden and a dog play area radiate outward. Reviewers note the presence of a large homeless encampment on the park’s Broadway boundary (as of October 2020) and recent community efforts have focused on rebuilding the park’s recreation center, which was damaged by fire in 2016. With its central location, history and contemporary life as a community crossroads, Mosswood Park remains a vibrant Oakland melting pot.
Park Facilities
Barbecues
Baseball Field
Basketball Courts
Community Garden
Dog Play Area
Picnic Tables
Playground (Ages 5-12)
Recreation Center
Stage
Tennis Courts
Tot Lot (Ages 2-5)
Park Info
Address
3612 Webster Street
Dogs
Allowed on leash
Hours
Closed from dusk until dawn, unless otherwise posted or permitted
Maintenance Requests
OAK 311
(510) 615-5566
Recreation Center Programs
City of Oakland
(510) 238-7275
Rentals
City of Oakland
(510) 238-3420
Volunteer Opportunities
Adopt a Spot
Park and Surroundings
Additional Photos
Your turn! What are your favorite activities and experiences at Mosswood Park? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below!
The “homeless encampment” in Mosswood Park is an absolute disgrace. It doesn’t make a vibrant community crossroad but has turned what should be a great park into just another Oakland dump. It’s beyond me that the homeless are not expected to conform to any rules whatsoever. I strongly disagree with allowing any encampments of any kind in Oakland parks – but for goodness sakes what’s there now is just a dump. Literally.
I would actually use the park regularly but never feel safe there and the City seems unconcerned about providing parks to actually be used as parks rather than dumping grounds
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Oakland Resident. The subject of homelessness in Oakland parks is one with many perspectives and we can help connect you with one of the open forums for community discussion.
This is from the park TODAY – MARCH 15th, 2021.
Thank you for sharing this picture, Supply. It’s difficult to see this dumping in the park. See Click Fix is the right place to report it.
Are there restrooms?
There are no dedicated public restrooms at Mosswood Park. If park buildings such as the recreation center are open during your visit, you may be able to use those facilities.
Is there a way to turn on the lights at the tennis courts or are they out of service? Is there any way to get these fixed?
Hi Andrew, you’ll want to report maintenance issues to OAK311 or the SeeClickFix app.
I’m also wondering if the tennis court lights need to be schedule to turn on, or if there’s a way to turn them on – or does it need to be fixed via ClickFix? Thanks.
Hi Tyler, if it’s a maintenance issue, then SeeClickFix is the place to go. If it’s a scheduling issue, we might suggest contacting the Recreation Center staff to inquire.
Mosswood park/playground has alot of potential. I really hope it gets a full makeover soon. I have lived near here for many years, but its sad that I always have to drive up to Berkeley or SF to enjoy a clean and safe park.
We love Mosswood Park, too, Sarah. Volunteering is really rewarding — there is an active Recreation Advisory Council at Mosswood that you may want to consider. Drop us a line if you would like to get involved.
From a Mosswood Neighbor….
Hope you find this helpful…….
https://www.oaklandca.gov/index.php?p=projects/mosswood-community-center
Hi there. When will the construction begin on the community center/park renovation? I thought it was supposed to begin this Spring (which is now). Also, what is being done about the encampments in the park and surrounding area. It is a disgrace that the encampments are allowed to trash the neighborhood and comprise the safety of the neighborhood. The summer camps are about to start and I have seen sports practices starting to take place. This park is so rich in history and has so much potential. Please help our neighborhood.
Hi there, Susan. Try reaching out the Mosswood Park Recreation Center or the Recreation Advisory Council for answers to your questions.
My mom used to take me and my brothers to Mosswood Park in the early 1970s. As a kid, I really liked going there because they had a gutted F-86 Sabre jet in the play area that you could climb on and through, because the engine was removed.
Tom (b. 1964)
Currently living in Baltimore, MD
Thanks for sharing this great memory, Thomas!