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"Parks For Peace" Project
Oakland Parks And Recreation Joins Neighborhood Partners To Launch "Parks For Peace" Project
Year-Long Peace Pole Installation Project Designed to Build Community and Address Street Violence in Oakland

For Immediate Release
on Thursday, August 30, 2007
Contact: Marguerite Hinrichs
Special Events Coordinator, (510) 238-2082


In response to the increase of street violence in Oakland, the City of Oakland's Office of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with various community groups, have developed The Community of Spirit Program, a consortium designed to develop constructive, creative ways to address the violence plaguing communities throughout Oakland. The Community of Spirit Program is comprised of two phases: Phase I, the "Parks for Peace" Project and Phase II, Project Mosaic.

Phase I, "Parks for Peace," calls for communities across Oakland to reclaim neighborhoods that have been struck with violence, beginning with the symbolic action of rededicating 23 parks and recreation centers, neighborhood by neighborhood, over the next year. The project kicks-off on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Brookdale Park, located at 2535 High Street. During each rededication, the park will be declared a "Drug Free Zone," proclaimed a safe environment for peaceful uses only, and a Peace Pole will be installed. Following the kick-off event, two parks will be dedicated to peace each month, culminating on Sunday, September 21, 2008 on the International Day of Peace with a "Parks for Peace Festival." Plans for the final dedication event and festival include a major procession from the four corners of Oakland, joining at San Antonio Park, complete with live music, food, community resources and guest speakers. The rededication of each park will involve the neighborhood schools, local businesses, places of worship, and the neighborhood associations in each area.

"Parks for Peace"
Park Dedication/Peace Pole Installation Schedule

Park dedication events are scheduled to coincide with Oakland Parks and Recreation's "Family Days," which are on the second Saturday of each month.

DateLocation
Aug 11, 2007Brookdale Park
Kick-off Dedication
Sep 8, 2007Dimond Park
Sep 15, 2007deFremery Park
Oct 13, 2007Josie de la Cruz Park
Oct 13, 2007Rainbow Recreation Center
Nov 10, 2007Poplar Recreation Center
Nov 10, 2007Arroyo Viejo Park
Jan 12, 2008Bushrod Recreation Center
Feb 9, 2008Manzanita Recreation Center
Feb 9, 2008Studio One Arts Center
Mar 8, 2008Franklin Recreation Center
Mar 8, 2008F.M. Smith Recreation Center
Apr 12, 2008Montclair Recreation Center
Apr 12, 2008Tassafaronga Recreation Center
May 10, 2008Mosswood Recreation Center
May 10, 2008Golden Gate Recreation Center
Jun 14, 2008Rotary Nature Center
Jun 14, 2008Allendale Recreation Center
Jul 12, 2008Sheffield Village
Jul 12, 2008Redwood Heights Recreation Center
Aug 9, 2008Ira Jinkins Recreation Center
Aug 9, 2008Lincoln Square Recreation Center
Sep 21, 2008San Antonio Park
Culmination Event & Dedication of park #23
Parade from four corners of Oakland to San Antonio Park; Dedicate San Antonio Park

Phase II: Project Mosaic
Once the parks have been designated for peace and community partners have connected to address violence, Phase II, Project Mosaic, is designed to tackle the ongoing task of developing a broad range of human services that emphasize positive programs for youth and families. Project Mosaic calls upon the faith community, working with the Oakland Coalition of Congregations and other faith-based groups, to join neighborhood associations, the Oakland business community, schools, recreation centers, and all youth-serving organizations to work together in a co-coordinated effort in renewing the human services needed to transform Oakland from a city plagued by violence into a model city of co-operation and peace.

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City of Oakland
Office of Parks and Recreation

250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 3330
Oakland, California 94612
(510) 238-PARK
(510) 238-2397 Fax





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