Community

Pressure Grows to Rebuild Mosswood Rec Center

Published

8 years ago

February 23, 2018

When a fire destroyed the popular Mosswood Park Recreation Center in North Oakland in November 2016, city officials announced with fanfare they would work with the community to rebuild it.

Now, over a year later, neighbors and supporters of the Mosswood recreation center are concerned that the project may be running out of steam, mired in the city’s bureaucracy.

Supporters of the park and recreation center consider the site a community gem and a neighborhood institution. They are determined to make sure the site is restored.

The center, located in the four-acre park at Webster Street, W. Macarthur Boulevard and across the street from Kaiser hospital, is run by the Oakland Parks and Recreation department and had housed a computer lab, after school programs, a homework club and dance studio, kitchen and programs for children with disabilities.

Lighting and water fountains currently are in disrepair —and trash pickup is spotty —though the park is still used for basketball games and other community activities.

Also situated at the park is the Moss House, a historic mansion that is sealed up and in disuse. The “Carpenter Gothic” style Victorian home was built in 1864 and bought by the City of Oakland in 1912.

“The day after the fire happened, there was a lot of sympathy and support from politicians. But that has not happened since,” said Brian Person, a community member who belongs to the Mosswood Recreational Advisory Council (RAC).

Some of the organizers supporting the Mosswood Park Rec Center are (L to R): Juan Lopez, Matt Ewing, Gretchen Till, Terry Stewart and Cassie Lopez.

“They had to demolish what was left after the fire,” he added. “It’s a hole in the ground now. The park has deteriorated because of the loss of the rec center.

“(But) it’s hard to get traction with the city,” Pearson said.

A number of people in the area want to make sure the park and recreation center remain a city priority, but the pace is frustrating.

“We’re working very hard to bring this recreational center back,” said Gretchen Till, co-chair of the Mosswood RAC. “We’re bringing people together for advocacy to support the park.”

Cassie Lopez, also co-chair of Mosswood RAC, said the center and the park attract people of different ages, races and economic status. Many people use the park for events – birthdays, capoeira, basketball – and they need to be involved to make sure the park is not forgotten, she said.

All these people need to be represented in the renovation planning – along with the homeless.

“A lot of people live in the park,” she said. “People living there have to be part of the conversation.”

Lopez emphasized that the community has staying power “We have a lot of spirt,” she said. “We’re not going away. We’re here.”

Wald, Councilmember McElhaney’s chief of staff, told the Post that he understands the community’s frustrations.

“The lack of information can be upsetting, he said, emphasizing the need for better communication with the community.

“The city has (fire) insurance, but it has taken some time to settle the insurance,” he said. “That’s slowed things down, and the neighbors are concerned.”

He said a settlement has been reached with the insurance company for about $4 million.

“Plans have been submitted to put a temporary recreational center structure, which should be installed by the end of March,” said Wald.

“I’m unhappy people have had to wait so long,” he continued. “The park needs friends, and the neighborhood is a terrific asset. Their work is the start of the process of reinvigorating the park as a whole.”

By Post deadline, the city’s Parks and Recreation department and the Risk Management department had not returned calls.

For more information, contact mosswoodparkrac@gmail.com or https://mosswoodparkrac.org/

The petition to “Bring Back Mosswood Park’s Rec Center is available at www.change.org/p/bring-back-mosswood-park-s-rec-center

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:community Mosswood Recreation Center Oakland

Up Next

Attorney Anita Hill to Speak Saturday, March 10

Don't Miss

Sahleem Tindle’s Family Shuts Down BART Meeting after Release of Fatal Shooting Video

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.