Oakland to Transform Vacant Lot Into $16.9M Waterfront Park
A long-vacant industrial lot along Oakland’s shoreline is getting a major transformation.
The East Bay Regional Park District is turning a 7-acre site on San Leandro Bay into a brand new waterfront park, with construction set to begin this summer and a grand opening expected in summer or fall 2027.
The project expands the existing Tidewater Day Use Area and will add a mix of recreation, nature, and community space right along the Bay Trail.
When it’s finished, the park will feature:
- A large multipurpose lawn
- A nature-based play area for kids
- An outdoor classroom for local schools
- New paved walking and biking paths
- Shoreline seating with bay views
- Interpretive signage about local wildlife
The park will also serve as a hub for cyclists and hikers along the San Francisco Bay Trail, plus small boaters heading to a nearby water launch.
The total project cost is $16.9 million, including a new $1 million federal grant to help reduce stormwater runoff by filtering it through native plants, part of a broader push to restore habitat and improve water quality along the shoreline.
Located near the Oakland Coliseum and just south of the High Street Bridge, the site has mostly been off-limits to the public for decades. Once complete, it’ll bring much-needed waterfront access and green space to East Oakland.
Construction is expected to take about a year, though parts of the existing day use area and nearby Bay Trail may be temporarily closed or detoured during the build.
If all goes to plan, you’ll have a new spot to picnic, bike, or just hang by the water by 2027.
Read more at SF Chronicle
