Resident of Oak Center

These two men continue the tradition of beautifying West Oakland with another, coveted pile of demolition debris. Once likely a delightfully appointed kitchen, is now w work of public art on the corner of 16th and Mandela Parkway. Installed on April 23 at 6:23AM, the excitement of the piece was only outweighed by the well choreographed performance. The thundering GMC truck (CA - 6J36001) over the sidewalk, and percussive tenor of materials crashing to the ground were welcomed in the early morning hours; opening the day to wondrous opportunity. Thank you dumpers! Oakland: Love Life!

Homeless encampments along Mandela Parkway between 14 and 18th streets. No social distancing. Hypodermic needles on the side walk. Move the encampments to a secure location.

Extension cord running across street

Homeless encampment everywhere. Graffiti getting worse by the day. Homeless not wearing masks. Sidewalks blocked. MOVE THE ENCAMPMENT

Mandela parkway between 15th and 16th against the block-long warehouse is poised to be a new tent city encampment. There are piles of woodchips being used like a litter box, tents, graffiti, vans parked on Mandela with people living out of them, unleashed dogs, and a lot of bicycles being taken apart and put back together. These folks should be given support and moved to the new village at the end of Mandela, and the block cleaned up so it stops attracting CONSTANT dumping. The owner of the building should be held accountable to clean up this block once the people placed elsewhere.

Illegal dumping and debris

Mandela Parkway marks the location of the Cypress Viaduct Freeway that collapsed during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, taking 42 of the 63 lives lost that day. In the wake of the earthquake, the freeway was not replaced, but instead the tree-lined Mandela Parkway was built both to honor the victims and so that a freeway would no longer divide and segregate West Oakland. It is the result of almost 15 years of collaboration between the West Oakland community and various City and State agencies. It is one of the most beautiful streets in this neighborhood and was named after Nelson Mandela to honor the spirit of collaboration, courage and tenacity it took to create something beautiful from the ashes of such tragic history. 

As recently as this year, Mandela Parkway was a symbol of positivity in West Oakland. It was common to see residents relaxing together on the grass, enjoying the lush landscaping, walking dogs, exercising, eating treats from nearby businesses and otherwise building community. But now it is filed with encampments and so much trash and dumping that people cannot use the space. That the City allows this dishonors, disgraces, and defiles the legacy of Mandela Parkway and all that went into its creation. Please clean up the trash and encampments on Mandela (especially between 14th and 16th) and be good stewards of what this community and City so painstakingly built.

Homeless encampment is growing here. Trash, vehicles, etc.