Part one

Last Thursday, members of the Recreation and Park Commission took a tour of five current and upcoming park projects:  Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, Encinal Boat Launch Facility, the Alameda Point Sports Project, Krusi Park and Estuary Park.

Once completed, Jean Sweeney Open Space Park will become the city’s largest park. Located on the site of the former Alameda Beltline Railroad property bounded by Constitution Way, Atlantic Avenue and Sherman Street, the park’s amenities will include a trail and bike loop, public art and a plaza. The park’s namesake, the late Jean Sweeny, researched the site, and her work led to the city’s acquiring the site at its 1924 sale price of $30,000. 

The city plans to renovate the Encinal Boat Launch Facility, located at 190 Central Ave., just west of Encinal High School, with a new dock, brand-new restrooms, a fish-cleaning table and a repaved parking lot. The city received a $300,000 planning grant from the state of California to fund the park’s design and apply for the required permits. 

When completed the Alameda Point Sports Complex, located on West Redline Avenue just west of the Main Gate, will include a shoreline trail along the Oakland Estuary, a football-lacrosse field, a mountain-bike skills park, as well as four baseball fields. The park will incorporate the existing gymnasium and skate park. 

Krusi Park, named for Ida and Hermann Krusi who donated the land that park stands on to the city in 1937, is bounded by Otis Drive, Mound Street, High Street and Calhoun Street. The city plans to replace the existing park building to better assist Otis School, located next door. Plans also include rentable space for public and private functions, concession facilities, as well as improved storage and restrooms for the park’s patrons.

The commissioners also visited Estuary Park on their tour. This eight-acre park is located at Singleton and Mosley avenues. The U.S. Navy once used this land as athletic fields. Plans for this real estate include landscape design to renovate and construct a youth baseball field, a synthetic regulation-size athletic field and a playground. The city also plans to install field and park lighting, pathways, as well as a pre-fabricated restroom and concession building. The park’s landscape would also include group picnic areas.