Maxwell Park Neighborhood News

by Sarah Hipolito

Maxwell Park Gateway: Envisioning Successful Collaboration

You're driving on Highway 580, returning home from Hayward or Berkeley. You pull into the exit lane at MacArthur Boulevard, then turn onto MacArthur. You're almost home, ready to relax at the end of a hard day. As you calm down after the frenetic pace of highway traffic, you look forward to the comfort of your castle.

But if you look around, you will see some ugly sights. Under the freeway sits an abandoned lot. A gas station is surrounded by a chain-link fence, fronted with dead foliage and garbage tossed from passing cars by people who have absolutely no sense of pride in their city. Down the road is the beautiful entrance to Mills College, making the contrast all the more evident.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this gateway to Maxwell Park reflected the beauty and diversity of the neighborhood? That's just the sort of project the Maxwell Park Blight & Beautification Neighborhood Action Team (B&B NAT) takes on. Current members are Claire Antonetti, Jan Hetherington, Robert Mcgillis, Jennifer Vasquez, Kate Phillips, Loren Routh, Nancy Karigaca, Mona Thaler, Joyce Nichelini, Suzanne Dupont, and Nommi Alouf. There is a lot of work to be done, so join now to share your expertise!

The B&B NAT and Mills College join Laurel District and Laurel Village Associations, Jean Quan's office, City of Oakland, Caltrans, and AC Transit for this venture. Neighbors are welcome to join the process to contribute their creativity and expertise. Why not team up to work on this endeavor to envision and plan a series of improvements to the area and regain a "spirit of place" for our community?

Caltrans: A pocket park below the overpass, footpaths and bicycle lanes to the Laurel district, slowed and redirected traffic, and landscaping designed to create a cohesive esthetic for the entire area are envisioned.

Gas Station: The owner, Caltrans, and the Oakland Planning and Traffic Division will work to continue upgrades to the station, to traffic patterns, and to landscaping around the area.

AC Transit: The bus stop and crosswalks will be redesigned to allow safer access for foot traffic.

Other projects in the works: The B&B NAT collaborates with the City's Tree Planting project, suggests maintenance for Caltrans on/off ramps, plants and maintains the Courtland triangle and other Adopt-a-Spots, and plants daffodils throughout the neighborhood.

Warning: A Note of Caution!

A Maxwell Park neighbor was held up at gunpoint and robbed by two men, apparently following her as she drove home one evening. A driver may have dropped them off and waited for them down the street. Many neighbors have installed motion detectors to eliminate dark areas in front of their houses. Please be careful when driving up to your house. If you think you are being followed, drive to a safe place like the Eastmont police substation.