Splash pad park

Splash Pad Park is located in Oakland, California, is along Lake Park Ave, between Grand Ave and Lakeshore Ave, and north of the 580 Freeway.

History

In the end of the 19th century, the park was adjacent to and north of Lake Merritt. The 580 freeway split the park in two. Palms and other landscaping were planted around a concrete-lined pond into which water splashed giving the park the name it has since retained. The fountain deteriorated and the surrounding landscaping was neglected. In the late 1990’s, the city decided to renovate and rezone the park so that it could serve as a mixed-function area. In July 2000, the Final Report was submitted to the City and they assigned Hood Design as the Landscape Design Architect. The designer, Walter Hood, “transformed the space into a park that people can actually occupy with flexible spaces that support a variety of uses".

Features

The water feature appeared on everyone's list of what to keep when the park was redesigned, as all the park's users enjoyed it. On Saturdays, there is a Farmer's Market in the park. The park provides a pleasant place to picnic or hang out before an event began elsewhere.

References

# [http://www.splashpad.org/ Splash Pad Park home page]

External links

* [http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/eastbay/neighborhoods/grand.shtml Grand and Lakeshore Avenues]