Group photo of the 13 parks after the commendation event. Thank you to everyone for their stewardship efforts!
On February 3rd, District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran held an event at the Joaquin Miller Community Center to honor organizations and volunteers from thirteen parks in her district.
The parks ranged in size from very large—the Sausal Creek watershed, a 2,656-acres area which includes Dimond Park—to very small—the Laurel Art Garden near the 580 underpass heading west on Delaware Street, where discarded hubcaps are painted and mounted as part of a small garden with benches, planters, and additional sculptures.
Janani presented commendations she signed along with Harold Duffy, Director of Public Works, and Harith Aleem, Interim Assistant Director of Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development. Director Duffy acknowledged the important role of volunteers in supporting his department’s mission. Justice Bolden, a recreation supervisor, talked about the importance of the time he spent at a nearby park when he was growing up in Oakland.
From left to right: Elizabeth Stage, Mark Seaborn, Nancy Mueller, Harold Duffy (Director of Public Works), Wyllie Clayson, Ruby J. Soto Cardona, Justice Bolden (Recreation Supervisor, Parks and Recreation), Janani Ramachandran (District 4 Councilmember).
The Conservancy board was represented by Nancy Mueller and Elizabeth Stage; they were joined by Wyllie Clayson, Mark Seaborn, and Ruby J. Soto Cardona representing the Garber Park Stewards. Ruby accepted the commendation and gave a shout-out to Shelagh Brodersen who founded the Garber Park Stewards with her neighbors on Evergreen Lane, including her late husband Bob.
Our friends from the North Hills Community Association were commended for their work at the Gateway Demonstration Garden and the Firestorm Memorial Garden. NHCA board members and volunteers in these gardens accepted on behalf of Vicki Olivera, Garden Chair who was unable to attend due to family obligations.
It was a joyful celebration and inspiring to hear the stories of a few people who decided that they would make their corner of “the town” a little greener and prettier by bringing their neighbors into the effort and enjoying a collective experience.
