Oakland 2045 General Plan Update | Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR) Element

In August 2024, as part of Phase 2 of the General Plan Update (GPU), staff conducted survey to understand how Oaklanders use the city's parks. We received nearly 600 responses to the GPU Park Survey. The survey findings show that Oakland parks are well-loved and have a consistent user base. Park users understand parks as spaces of community connection and belonging, as well as spaces that support outdoor recreation and community health. However, uneven access to green space across the city, aging infrastructure, lack of park maintenance, and concerns about safety are challenges experienced by many park users. 

To complement the Park Survey, staff also conducted site visits of 22 parks in Oakland, focusing on parks in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. The findings for each park are listed in this spreadsheet for ease of viewing. These site visits were the first step of a larger process to developing a park amenity matrix for all of Oakland parks as part of the OSCAR update. The park amenity matrix will be an accessible and easy to understand tool that will allow users to quickly identify which parks have amenities that meet their interests and needs. 

The OSCAR aims to do the following:

1. Maintain, preserve, & strengthen Oakland’s network of open spaces and conserve important natural resources.
2. Build an equitable, well-maintained, accessible network of parks and recreational facilities that support and reflect Oaklander’s needs, identities and cultures.