San Antonio park is a hidden gem amongst our resilient East Oakland, CA, currently in the process of getting truly discovered. It is one of the 7 park “squares” originally founded by the city of Oakland. Located along a beautiful hillside on Foothill blvd offering views of the Estuary, Alameda, and San Francisco. Embraced by one of the most diverse communities in Oakland.

In 2020, the City of Oakland undertook a Master Planning process for San Antonio Park. The impetus for this Master Planning process arose from a need by Oakland Fire
Department for a new location for Fire Station 4. The San Antonio Park Community saw in the Master Planning process an opportunity for a proper in depth Community Visioning
Process for the park. Through the well-executed community outreach by FOSAP (Friends of San Antonio Park, an organization founded through the partnership of other non-profit community-based-organizations) comments were synthesized and rough conceptual designs were proposed in a very fast manner. It was an amazing turn out!

This project features designs proposed by the community, such as a community center expansion with green roof and bridge, an option for a fire station, and an inclusive and sustainable community hub that could become the link between nature and the vibrant multicultural neighborhood around it. It would feature a multi-sport roof deck, a space for a community center and a library program. It was very well received!

I was heavily involved in advocating with the community and have been a member of FOSAP since its inception. I worked with organizations and neighbors to inspire the community through visual storytelling and experiential design.

Today, thanks to the collaboration between all the organizations and help from district council president Nikki Bas’ office; the City of Oakland has granted Trybe and other sub-consultants almost half a million dollars to continue activating the park and is working on a major feasibility study for a library, community center, and resilience center!