History of Parks and Recreation


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Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center
7701 Krause Avenue

The original Arroyo Viejo site of 16.43 acres containing the Domoto family homes was a site of a Japanese nursery. Between 1936 and 1939, the site was developed by WPA and opened for neighborhood use in 1939. Following World War II, approximately four more acres were added to the area through a 40-year lease with the Board of Education. McConnell Sports Field located on the leased land. It is used by the public schools for inter-school athletic events. Castlemont High School plays its home baseball game here. The nearby field house was erected in 1956 to serve the adjacent playground and outdoor field areas. In addition to the Center, a unique award winning Children’s Theatre was at a cost of $11,500 but was subsequently destroyed by fire in 1970 and not replaced. A lighted playground and parking lot were added in 1957. Funds for the barbecue area in the patio were donated by the East Oakland Rotary Club. In 1960 and 1979, major arson-set fires resulted in extensive damage to the main center and studio wings of the complex respectively. Also at this site is a childcare center housed in a building leased to the Board of Education by the City.

Funding
The present center/studio building - constructed and furnished in 1965 at a cost of $180,000 from federal and local funds. The original park area was purchased from the Central Bank of Oakland in 1935. The federal government through its W.P.A. programs developed the park site (1936-39).


Site Information

Acreage	18.75

Center Building's Square Footage	14.457

Building Room Description	Center/social hall Activity/game room Kitchen Offices (2) Enclosed outdoor patio/barbecue area Lavatories

Studio	Pottery/kiln room Photo lab room Lapidary room Jewelry room Arts and Crafts room Conference room/office Multi-purpose room

Outdoor Facilities	Football/soccer field Baseball/softball fields (2) Basketball courts (5) Tennis courts (4) Tot lots (2) Auto parking lots (2) Picnic areas Day camp site

Related links:
- Oakland Library

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