On March 1, the city celebrated the opening of the Cross Alameda Trail between Main Street and Constitution Way. This new addition to the trail connects Jean Sweeney Park with Atlantic Avenue and Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway (RAMP). It utilizes a long-disused corridor that once carried Alameda Belt Line trains along Atlantic Avenue (today’s RAMP) to Alameda Naval Air Station.  According to the city this addition has created “1.5 continuous miles of separated walking and bicycling trails.”

The City of Alameda has unveiled its Homeless Action Plan to help accommodate the homeless encampment population at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park during its planned construction.

The particulars of the plan were mapped out in the city’s Addressing Homelessness in Alameda report. The plan, which is already underway, includes an initial survey assessment and posting of park timeline notices, both of which has already been completed. 

The Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Fund is managing the Jean Sweeney Park bench donation project for the Alameda Recreation & Parks Department. Two bench styles are available to choose from. Donors can add a commemorative plaque to donated benches. 

Information about the bench project is available at http://sweeneyopenspacepark.org/misc/project_benches.html. Prospective donors can download application forms from the website. Each bench donation is tax deductible as a donation to the park. 

Renovation and development of several parks, such as the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, will soon begin to share the spotlight with housing developments. Located at the former Alameda Belt Line rail yard between Constitution Way, Atlantic Avenue and Sherman Street, Jean Sweeney Open Space Park’s topography is unique among Alameda’s parks as a large open space within an urban environment. Estimated to cover 27 acres, this park will be the largest in Alameda.