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  Acknowledged City of Oakland (Verified Official)

  The City of Oakland Call Center has received this issue. Your service request ID is #821518. Please check back for status updates, or contact us directly at 510-615-5566.

  06/21/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Kiran (Registered User)

  Not sure a fenced area just around the play structures would be practical given the current park design. An easier solution would be to fix the existing fence so the gates open and close properly.

  06/22/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Tina Kimmel (Registered User)

  It seems to me the current park design is PERFECT for a Tot Lot! In what way is it impractical?

  06/22/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Kiran (Registered User)

  Toddlers & caregivers use the benches and grassy area on a daily basis. If a new fence cut off the play area from the benches and grassy area, then it becomes more difficult for caregivers to manage toddlers and babies. In addition, toddlers run and bike on the paths and grassy area around the park, so even if a fenced off area is around the play structures, caregivers will still want to keep the existing park gates closed to keep toddlers from going in the street. My vote is to fix the existing park fence so the gates open and shut more easily.

  06/22/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Dana (Registered User)

  I play with my toddler at this park almost every day (it’s practically our backyard). We love that she can run from play structures to grass and garden. Kids shouldn’t be fenced in. They should be allowed to explore freely. The gates to the park should just be fixed. Also when the existing ones are closed they’re not locked- don’t see why opening a clunky but generally finctional gate is a problem. If we invest in this park it should be in upgrades to play structures and support for amazing garden.

  06/23/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Dana (Registered User)

  Tina do you use the space with a child? Do you have any sense of how people actually use it? Spend a weekday morning there and note: how do children and caregivers use the space? What are THEIR needs?

  Please don’t vote to cage our kids in.

  06/23/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Tina Kimmel (Registered User)

  "Park gates should open more easily"... yet... NOT by out-of-control toddlers... ?

  06/23/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Dana (Registered User)

  Um there are gate mechanisms that a taller adult can handle that a shorter toddler can’t. I’m not sure why opening a gate is an issue for other users. If it’s due to disability then yes we need to make it more accessible. But you don’t really elaborate why swinging a gate is a problem. Happy to hear the specifics.

  06/23/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Minx (Registered User)

  I have lived in this neighborhood for 30 years. Its nice to have the large inclosure and mixed ages play. I have twins under 5 and they love meeting older kids and learning social expectations. As a parent I love the fact that this big wide park with lots that explore is enclosed! It gives them freedom in a safe space!

  Perhaps fence off the gardens so that folks can’t wander into sections and “water” the plants? I strongly suggest adding a bathroom to prevent people from contaminating the edible gardens. A tot section would be awesome. Perhaps a remodeling of the whole structure as it is at least 12years old.

  06/24/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Tina Kimmel (Registered User)

  Other improvements such as better-swinging gates with easy-open mechanisms have to be either suggested one by one to the City, and/or paid for by the community. They don't just happen magically.

  My suggestion is to erect a tot lot fence, as many other Oakland Parks have done.

  However, I think my main issue here is the sense of entitlement shown by the people who close the gates to the entire park. Is it possible for you to be a little humble about the inconvenience you are imposing on the rest of the neighborhood? Then maybe we can work something out that is satisfactory to everyone.

  06/25/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Kiran (Registered User)

  I wouldn’t call keeping kids from running into the street entitlement. It’s called keeping kids safe. Even if a tot lot fence is built, people will still close the gates to the park to keep their toddlers, who are biking on the paths and playing in the grass, from leaving the park.

  How exactly is a closed gate so inconvenient for the rest of the neighborhood? I see plenty of people enjoying the park on a daily basis. If you can please provide more detail on how a closed gate is inconvenient for you that would help.

  06/26/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Tina Kimmel (Registered User)

  Hang out near the gate, as I do when I tend to the Dover Park gardens, and you will see how many people look at the closed, heavy gates, and then do NOT come into the park. The appearance from outside those heavy closed gates is of a private park, which does not welcome any newcomers. Let me remind you that this is a public park, with facilities for all kinds of users besides a few inattentive carers of young unruly children.

  Hey you could buy up a lot nearby and build YOUR OWN private, fenced park. Then you wouldn't have to share the space with anyone else, especially anyone whose needs are different from yours.

  06/26/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Lauren B (Registered User)

  I love this park because it has gates and offers such a wonderful place for all ages to visit and play. Building a fence around the play structure will destroy the beautiful integration of the whole park. I agree that the closed fences don’t look welcoming for a first time visitor. This is quickly overcome once inside though. A better fix would be different, more welcoming gates, easier to open/close and signage that says “come in! Gates just help the kids stay in. “

  07/01/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Amie Z. (Registered User)

  Building another fence around the play structure is an expensive and impractical solution to an easy problem (not to mention overkill). Install a gate the has an automatic closer (ie it will swing shut and latch) at both of the main gates. Closers also make it easier (and lighter to open the gate, if access is a problem). There, problem solved.

  07/02/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  OakIvyGal (Registered User)

  Currently the fence gates are in poor shape, and the normal latch is not functioning/nonexistent. Plus the doors are falling in and no longer open smoothly or fully close, very difficult/non compliance for ADA.

  A work around was made a decade ago - a small Chain and thumb clasp to hold the doors shut. The chain can give the impression of closure. Plus they are not safe. The amount of drive-by shootings that still happen in the surrounding area always leave me worried about a safe and speedy exit (with child in tow) in an emergency situation. If the the city would fully repair/replace the existing gate doors so it worked properly & the signage repainted so the open hours (and No Dogs) were more legible, it would alleviate the confusion, eliminate the assumed need for a 2nd gate structure, and increase same & welcoming accessibility.

  I love Dover Park, and in mom circles a play ground with a gate is premium, especially for children with special needs.

  10/25/2018 · Flag Flagged
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  Janet (Registered User)

  Why aren’t people talking about all the homeless people and trash accumulating at this park? Sad to see it this way.

  05/26/2020 · Flag Flagged

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