Marking 90 years of preserving open space: ‘The park district provides residents in the East Bay access to nature close to home.’

The East Bay Regional Park District began during the height of the Great Depression with a ballot measure asking voters to institute a property tax for the purpose of creating a park system. Despite the hard economic times, voters overwhelmingly agreed to tax themselves so they could have more parks. Ninety years later, about 25 million people a year enjoy what has become the largest park district of its kind in the nation, a network essential to the active, outdoor…

Families take back San Antonio Park with Friday night fun and games

Over 250 people made their way to San Antonio Park in East Oakland Friday evening. Among the bright, inviting murals and delicious smells of popcorn and spaghetti launched Family Friday, a new program to give families a safe space to get to know each other and build community.  The program, started by Trybe, a nonprofit serving youth and families, is a continuation of Town Nights, a program by the city’s Department of Violence Prevention that hosts events in parks around…

That’s a wrap: Oakland Ballers give baseball fans a reason to cheer

The Oakland Ballers delivered in their inaugural season, reviving the city’s baseball legacy with a wining season and a playoff berth. “Welcome to the next chapter of baseball in Oakland,” blares a voice over the public address system in Raimondi Park, the B’s home field in West Oakland.  Fans have flocked to the bleachers, nearly 2,000 on average at each home game. Only a few thousand more have been going to the Coliseum to see the A’s play their last…