Oakland is routinely overlooked by San Francisco, its larger sibling located directly across the San Francisco Bay. Therefore, Oakland always seems to be in the shadow of the world famous city that lies only 8 miles away. Some of this is deserved, as San Francisco has long been established as a favored vacation destination as well as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. The density of the city as well as its real estate prices can attest to that notion. While San Francisco seems to routinely receive all of the adulation and attention associated with such a distinction, Oakland for a similarly long time has been popularly viewed as a working class or even dangerous town, with perhaps even worse claims at times. However, Oakland is still a large city with many amenities and several desirable areas, although presented in a quieter and less grandiose fashion than its sibling across the bay for which it is forever linked.
One thing Oakland can claim as being a tad better than San Francisco in is its climate. Located on the east side of the bay, Oakland is often sunnier and a bit warmer on days when San Francisco is socked in by fog from the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate all day. Therefore, Oakland residents have ample opportunity to use their public parks and recreation areas in relative comfort. The favored destination for outdoor activity within the city is Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park, which spans its perimeter. The lake is located directly in the heart of downtown Oakland which adds to its scenic nature. As shown in the picture at the top, high-rise buildings march right up to the lake, giving the park a sense of space and grandeur. Therefore, it is also a favored lunchtime destination for the people that work in the buildings within close proximity to the park. Therefore, the park doubles as the favored recreation and exercise location in the area as well as acting as an escape from the urban jungle. The park is also a key asset in promoting the real estate value of its surrounding area. Private residences that are within close proximity to the lake or command views of it are among the most desirable in the city. The park is always at the top of advertised amenities for real estate in the area.
Lake Merritt was originally a tidal lagoon that was directly connected to a part of San Francisco Bay. As such the area often acted as a gathering point of sludge and contaminated water from the heavily used Bay and the nearby ports. In 1867, Dr. Samuel Merritt, the mayor of the city and property owner on the shore, became determined to clean up the body of water in order to turn it into a civic centerpiece. He funded a dam between the estuary and the bay in order to control the flow of water and turn the lagoon into a lake. The resulting lake, as one could possibly infer, is named for him. The lake had also long been a destination for migratory birds due to the wetland qualities that the lagoon possessed. Once the lake was created, the birds continued to favor it, and as a result it was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1870, the first ever in the United States. Once the lake was established, concerted efforts were made to landscape and maintain the perimeter. The northern edge of the lake in particular, which forms the majority of Lakeside Park, is home to a large tract of preserved land set aside for public use and enjoyment of the lake. Overall, there are over three miles of paths that circle the complete perimeter of the lake. Cyclists, joggers, and walkers all take full advantage of it on a daily basis.
Lakeside Park and Lake Merritt are outstanding examples of a city artificially creating a prime public land destination. Oakland transformed a polluted, unattractive, and untamed waterway into perhaps the crown jewel of not only of its park system, but the entire city. The creation and maintenance of public parkland has turned the surrounding area into a destination and one of the most prized and economically viable areas in not only the city but the entire East Bay region. Lakeside Park is the result of many years of proper foresight and planning and the city has seen its investment in it more than pay itself back.
Oakland has had a turbulent history and has had more than its share of socioeconomic problems. The city still suffers from a troubled economy and a relatively poor population. It also will never be on the same pedestal as San Francisco, and will always be mentioned with it due to the geographic area in which they share. However, Lakeside Park stands tall as a source of civic pride. Few other places as urban as Oakland can claim to have such a large well-maintained lake for public use right in the heart of its urban core. Perhaps, that will drive all the tourists and other residents of the Bay Area who never set foot in Oakland to visit. After all, it is only a short, if traffic-clogged, car ride on the Bay Bridge or a few stops on the BART train away from the city across the bay.
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