Today, Mayor Sheng Thao, Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Dan Kalb, and other city leaders break ground on the new Mosswood Community Center. The ambitious project aims to revitalize Mosswood Park and provide residents with a state-of-the-art facility for civic, cultural, and recreational activities. According to an announcement by the City of Oakland, construction is set to take place from Summer 2023 to Spring 2025, with support from Oakland Public Works and Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development.
Funding for this $20.8 million project has been provided by Oakland's 2016 Infrastructure and Affordable Housing Bond Measure KK and 2022 Public Facilities Bond Measure U. Additionally, grants have been generously offered by Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program and the State of California Natural Resources Agency. "This milestone is the culmination of years of work and the support of our community partners," Mayor Sheng Thao said, acknowledging the community-driven vision behind the project.
The new Mosswood Community Center arrives nearly seven years after a devastating fire razed the 1950s-era Recreation Center building in November 2016. In the wake of that tragedy, temporary facilities were set up to continue providing core center programs such as after school programs, summer camp, and computer lab and cooking classes. As reported by the City of Oakland, the upcoming two-story, 12,193 square-foot facility promises to enhance these offerings, featuring a social hall, kitchen, classrooms, computer lab, maker space, and an outdoor terrace.
Community stakeholders, including the Mosswood Recreation Advisory Council, Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation, Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC), Ujima Friends Beat 8x Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), and Oakland Heritage Alliance, have played essential roles in shaping the project's design and supporting fundraising efforts. Public Works Director Harold Duffey praised the community engagement process, stating that it "helped ensure that the community-articulated values of sustainability, inclusivity, and beauty were clearly incorporated into the vision."
Moreover, the Mosswood Community Center will showcase sustainable design principles and take part in the City's ‘Art in Public Places’ program. By being universally accessible and flexible in use, the facility aims to cater to a diverse community of users, fostering a sense of togetherness and belonging for all Oakland residents.
Alongside the construction of the new center, the project also includes significant improvements to Mosswood Park itself. Enhancements such as planting, pathways and lighting, an upgraded parking lot, and a new fire access road have been proposed. These improvements, in tandem with the community-driven vision of the Mosswood Community Center, demonstrate Oakland's commitment to fostering a bright future for its residents and providing a space for people from all walks of life to connect, grow, and thrive.
