LakeMerritt.org
  • Home
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  • History
  • Necklace of Lights
  • 150th
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  • LM Breakfast Club
  • Fairyland
  • Autumn Lights
  • R. Nature Cntr
  • LM Dispatch
  • LM Institute
  • LM Weed Warriors
  • LM Projects
  • Park Info
  • Oakland Band
  • Lakeside Art
  • Litter SOS
  • Homeless@LM
  • LM YouTube
  • Contact & Photo Archive
                                                

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LakeMerritt.org

100th Anniversary of the Necklace of Lights (1925-2025)
Welcome to LakeMerritt.org
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Lake Merritt in Oakland, California is one of the most unique urban spaces in the United States. Its three mile Necklace of Lights shoreline in the center of an exceptionally diverse city is a special place where nature and nurture migrate and mingle daily. This tidal lagoon is home to the United States' oldest designated wildlife refuge dating from 1870. 
lakemerritt.org is an independent, ad-free resource site with current information about Lake Merritt and links to the volunteer groups and advocacy agencies working for the common good of the lake and the lake area community. Its focus is promoting stewardship of the lake.
Underlined words are links.
  • Birds and Gardens webpages showcase the lake park's natural diversity. Visual guide to lakeside birds. Videos on the Gardens.
  • Lake Merritt Links lists advocacy organizations in support of the lake & the lakeside area.
  • History Timeline, LM iconic moments, notable structures completed, organizations formed 
  • 150th info on LM History and stewardship of LM
  • ​Volunteer listings of LM organizations in need of volunteers​
  • Recreation links opportunities for boating, biking, croquet, lawn bowling, running...
  • LM Projects Measures DD and Q improvements
  • View Park Info, map & info on rental fees, parking, grilling and restroom locations.
  • Contact for LM questions, comments, and/or suggestions.
  • Archives -- photos of projects and events at LM
  • Videos -- YouTube videos of events and projects at LM​​​​​​​​ ​
  • ​ALSO, info on: Lake Merritt Breakfast Club,
  • Children's Fairyland,  LM Weed Warriors, Lake Merritt Institute, Autumn Lights, Oakland Municipal Band,  Lakeside Art, ​Litter SOS Project​
  • PROBLEMS? ​Download the app OAK 311 to report littering, down trees/branches, unsafe conditions, park rule violations... ​​​
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​Ongoing Events ​​​​​​
Gardens at LM open M-F, 8-3; Sat/Sun 8-4 
Children's Fairyland open Wednesday - Sunday  10 -4 
Master Gardener Mon. 10-12; Wed & Fri 11 - 1​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Friday Nights at Oakland Museum, Fri. 5 - 9pm
​Grand Lake Farmer's Market, Sat. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.


Upcoming Events​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  with links​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • ​May 21, Fairyland 75th Anniversary Gala 
  • May 25, LM Joggers & Striders 5K   8:45 am
  • May 28,  Lakeside Park Bird Walk, 9:30​​
  • May 31, LM Weed Warrior Volunteers 9-12​​​
  • June 1, Oakland Museum of CA  freeday
  • June 6, Lakeside Chat   tba  7-8:30 zoom​
  • June 11,  Park & Rec Commission, 4:30 - 6, 9 a.m.
  • June 14, EastBay Front Runners&Walkers 9am
  • June 21, LakeFest Oakland, 11am - 7pm
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​INFORMAL ACTIVITIES​
​Dog owners and their pets have an afternoon meet-up in the Lakeside Park field next to Fairyland
Roller bladers/skaters/boarders meet-up afternoons & evenings in the Lakeside Park Sailboat House 
parking lot.
Drum Circle meets weekend afternoons at the Pergola
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ALGAE...  
grows in large quantities during the spring and early summer, but only in the shoreline area where depths are four feet or less. Although a very beneficial part of the food chain, it becomes a nuisance when there is too much of it, causing odors and depleting oxygen levels when it decays. Algae is kept in check by removal with the harvester boat. .... several types of algae grow vigorously in the shallow waters. Most common are light green filaments of Cladophora and Enteromorpha, along with the darker green sea lettuce (Ulva). This growth is limited to 20 - 25 feet of the shoreline where the water is only zero to four feet deep. At greater depths, light penetration is not sufficient for growth. By mid-May, algae may cover the entire shoreline area out to deeper water, blanketing the area in bright green where only murkywater existed just a month before. Towers of algae billow up, providing both shelter and food for both fish and invertebrates...."   
​excerpt from A Year In The Life of Lake Merritt, by Lake Merritt Institute, © 2002.


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website and photos ©2025 lakemerritt.org
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  • Home
  • Gardens
  • Birds
  • Recreation
  • History
  • Necklace of Lights
  • 150th
  • LM Links
  • Volunteer
  • LM Advocates
  • LM Breakfast Club
  • Fairyland
  • Autumn Lights
  • R. Nature Cntr
  • LM Dispatch
  • LM Institute
  • LM Weed Warriors
  • LM Projects
  • Park Info
  • Oakland Band
  • Lakeside Art
  • Litter SOS
  • Homeless@LM
  • LM YouTube
  • Contact & Photo Archive