Stop the Land Grab in San Antonio Park!
June 23rd, 2021
Dear Neighbors,
A San Antonio Park Master Plan was released to our neighborhood for public comment in January 2021 by the consultants the City of Oakland has retained for this capital improvement project. As you may have heard, the construction of a Fire Station IN THE PARK is being proposed. This would develop precious open space in an area that is already one the most densely populated in Oakland. For many families, the outdoor play areas offered by San Antonio Park are their only options for outside recreation.
Our experience during the first two rounds of “public engagement” in January and March was that ALL potential scenarios / Master Plans for San Antonio park feature a Fire Station in the southeast corner of the park, which will necessitate removal / destruction of approximately 10% of our park, demolition of 6-8 elm trees planted by volunteers in 2016, and 2 tennis courts that are currently dilapidated and unplayable due to years of neglect. Our view is that we can, and must, do better. Park land is not “free” land! Open space is precious!
During the last scheduled community engagement session on 4/29/21, many community members expressed their opposition to the fire station in San Antonio Park. The City appears to be getting our message. The fire station park relocation that was previously being pushed by the consultants and Oakland Public Works has been postponed until later this summer. Council Council President Bas has expressed support for separating the Fire Station proposal from the plan to improve San Antonio Park. While we are not ready to declare victory, this is progress. We thank you all for your activism and support, from the bottom of our hearts! Your continued support and activism is still needed.
Take Action
(click the link for detailed instructions)
We are forming a new group, Friends of San Antonio Park, to better organize and advocate for our Park. Please contact us at friendsofsapark@gmail.com By emailing us, we can also include you in notifications and action alerts.
Thank you!
I’m totally against this land grab. Let’s preserve the little remaining openspace that we have.
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whoa, I didn’t know this. definitely no for land grab by the government, San Antonio park is really precious for locals.
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This is an incredibly bad idea which must be stopped. The logic behind it certainly has to be questioned.
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Please stop the land grab and do not allow the fire station in San Antonio park. The space should be used for public recreation/open space.
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The land at San Antonio Park should be preserved for recreational and park uses only. Ken Lupoff, former ED (2011-2021), Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation
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Please email CP Bas to register your opposition to this project. She is our first line of defense, and could derail this ill-conceived proposal.
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