About

Hardy Park before the Big Build

THE GREENBELT:
The 3 block-long Greenbelt is located along a portion of the Temescal Creek bed, on property belonging to the Alameda Flood Control District and leased by the City of Oakland. The greenbelt balances quiet areas featuring benches, redwood groves and butterfly gardens, with active play areas including children’s play structures, swings (potential future element) and a climbing wall (backside of Hardy Playground). Along most portions of the greenbelt the faux creek has been or will be restored with improved channels, native plants, and small boulders for creek crossing. Handicap ramping at the Redondo site allows for easy access to the creek.

ORGANIZED SUPPORT:
The new park is supported by a coalition of local leaders and organizations including Friends of the Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt, theRockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC), Temescal Neighbors Together, Friends of Temescal Creek, DMV Neighbors Association (DNA), Rockridge and Temescal merchant groups and . Councilmember Jane Brunner,MIG (Moore, Iacofano and Goltsman)of Berkeley , with the City of Oakland’s Office of Public Works and Office of Parks & Recreation, are designing the park. Robert Leathers & Associates of Ithaca, NY designed the two playgrounds as part of the community-build process. Friends of OaklandParks and Recreation (FOPR) is facilitating the community involvement in the ongoing park development and administering the public funds being used to fund the master plan design and each phase of construction. During Phase I of the Greenbelt development, FOPR also served as the fiscal agent for FROG, accepting tax-deductible park gifts and grants. RCPC now provides that service on behalf of FROG. 

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING:
The Greenbelt design and construction is funded by $460,000 from the City of Oakland’s Measure I 1996 Bond Measure, which is improving parks and libraries throughout Oakland; $50,000 from the Alameda County Watershed Awareness Program; and $493,000 from the State Proposition 12 Parks Bonds. In 2001, Vice Mayor and councilmember Jane Brunner allocated her entire annual allotment of Paygo Funds, $125,000, to the Greenbelt. Thank you, Jane Brunner! In August 2004, FROG was successful in securing $140,000 of Measure DD funding to help complete the Greenbelt. In addition, FROG has to date raised over $115,000 from the community (neighbors, corporations and foundations) to supplement the park funding and complete the construction of the children’s play structure. Over 300 individuals have donated. Click here to make YOUR donation today!

FROG Groundbreaking Ceremony

MUCH-NEEDED GREENSPACE:
The Rockridge and Temescal neighborhoods were long ago identified in the City’s Open Space General Plan, as two areas with the greatest need of open space and parks in Oakland. Many young families with children have been attracted to these two neighborhoods as they have revived, while a large population of seniors and long-term residents continue to reside there. The Greenbelt, a neighborhood park, is within a short walking distance for many of this population, and provides much-needed green space and recreational play areas. Neighborhood clean-ups of the existing creek, as well as the regular FROG playground maintenance days, demonstrate ongoing community support for the park. Many thanks to the DMV Neighbors Association (DNA) for sponsoring their organized creek cleanings four times per year.

Phase II Greenbelt Construction

TIMING:
Groundbreaking of the Greenbelt occured in September 2001. FROG hosted a groundbreaking celebration for the community at the Hardy Park site on September 9, 2001. The first phase of the Greenbelt, including the playgrounds, was completed in early 2002. The second phase was completed in 2006, after extensive community input.