In order to acknowledge such outstanding performance, the Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR) features a spotlight on our services, programs, facilities, parks and recreation centers, which may be in conjunction or collaboration with a sponsor or partner.

F.M. Smith Recreation Center
The City of Oakland's Community and Recreation Centers has a long standing history of providing quality year-round activities, programs and services to tiny-tots, youth, adults and the young-at-heart. And we enthusiastically invite everyone to responsibly enjoy our parks, community centers, facilities, leisurely activities and programs.

Recently at one of the City of Oakland's twenty-two recreation cetners, F.M. Smith has been given a new look with refurbished basketball courts, backboards, playground structure equipment and swings. Through the efforts of the community, caring and concerned sponsors and local-government, the City of Oakland is more than proud to present the improved F.M. Smith Recreation Center.

F.M. Smith is a vibrant and welcoming center, often thought of as a second-home, offereing a wide variety of programs for everyone. The Center offers a learge and quite popular newly renovated basketball court, a traditional playground area for tiny-tots and youths alongside of the center and the newly completed play structure with swings at the end of the park, a small grassy area with redwood trees, and a picnic area with barbeque pits for leisurely activities.

Oakland is proud to announce the completion of the newly installed playground equipment at F.M. "Borax" Smith Recreation Center, which is located at 1969 Park Boulevard, Oakland, California 94606.

In April 2003, the Public Works Agency and Oakland Parks & Recreation Department through funding from the Capital Improvement Project, was more than delighted to reveal the plans for F.M. Smith Recreation Center's new playground. The project replaced older and damaged play structures which had deteriorated with age and decay, including the "Borax Mules," that were part of the Western Town themed play area. The total value of the project is $75,000 and was solely funded by the City of Oakland's Capital Improvement Project.

This improvement project is credited to the hard work and due-dilligence of the City of Oakland, its agency and departments as the Public Works Agency and Parks & Recreation Department, and personnel such as, but not limited to, Anne Hyde, Cecilia Treyes, Jim Ryugo, Claudette Ford and Dr. Harry Edwards.

With the completion of the new playground structure, additional recreation opportunities and leisurely activities are made available to the Oakland community. The City of Oakland would like to salute and honor those individuals and city associates for all of their countless efforts, dedication and commitment to Oakland and the community, for the countless services and opportunities that they have facilitated and provided for.

June 2003

F.M. Smith Recreation Center Office of Parks and Recreation Life Enrichment Agency