Nature meets industry at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
on July 29, 2011
Withstand the congestion of semi-trucks coming in and out of the Port of Oakland’s berths and you’ll be rewarded with unbeatable views of the bay at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. Complete with a beach, amphitheater and plenty of opportunities for walking, fishing and picnicking, Middle Harbor Shoreline Park is great place to pass a weekend afternoon without the crowds.
Here at this international gateway, nature meets industry. The 38-acre park is in the process of becoming an ecological reserve of shallow bay and shoreline habitats for many species, such as Dungeness crab, flatfish, anchovy, herring and perch. In the background, cranes, cargo ships and berths are working around the clock to load and unload freight.
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park sits on the site of the former Oakland Naval Supply Depot, a supply center for the Navy’s Pacific Fleet from World War II until 1998, when the depot was closed and transferred to the Port of Oakland. The park is still owned by the Port and remains open to public from 8am to dusk, year round.
Things to do at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park:
Picnicking
Bring your own blanket or use one of many picnic tables with a BBQ pit.
Walking/Biking
Explore the shoreline and inland areas of the park. The three miles of pathway are extensions of the regional San Francisco Bay Trail, and connect directly to the adjacent Port View Park and the West Oakland neighborhood.
Birdwatching
The park’s shoreline brings diverse species of birds year-round. Forster’s terns, western gulls, double-crested cormorants and brown pelicans can be seen all year. Summer visitors include the Caspian tern, least tern, California gull, Canada goose, and snowy egret. Panels with photos of these birds can be found within the park.
Fishing
A California State fishing license is required to fish at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, with the exception of fishing from the pier at the end of Port View Park.
For more information about the park, visit the Port of Oakland’s website.
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