Lake Merritt Dispatch Newsletter by Richard L. Bailey, founder of the Lake Merritt Institute
WATER QUALITY – Hypoxia
Lake Merritt is not the only place where deadly oxygen levels in the water are happening. Consider this quote from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science:
“Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxic events (severe oxygen depletion) are some of the most scientifically complex and economically damaging coastal issues challenging our ability to safeguard the health of our nation’s coastal ecosystems. Almost every state in the U.S. now experiences some kind of HAB event and the number of hypoxic water bodies in the U.S. has increased 30 fold since the 1960s with over 300 coastal systems now impacted. A 2006 study shows that the economic impacts from a subset of HAB events in U.S. marine waters averaged to be $82 million annually (2005 dollars). However, just one major HAB event can cost local coastal economies tens of millions of dollars, indicating that the nationwide economic impact of HABs is likely much larger.”
I don’t know of any calculations regarding what the Lake Merritt HAB and Fish Kill of 2022 cost Oakland, but I suspect it did not enhance local real estate values. Given that, and the cost to the city to remove the thousands of dead fish, it seems prudent to invest in hardware (as well as plans) to prevent future hypoxia conditions in our downtown estuary. Such investments could include removal of sediments by dredging (which is long overdue), additional aerators, and storm drain filters to reduce nutrient loads in urban runoff.
On August 24th and 25th, near the bottom at station two in Lake Merritt, oxygen levels were 0 to 3 mg/L for 13% and 21% of the time, and never rose above 5 mg/L. This data is from the City of Oakland Lake Merritt Public Dashboard. https://www.my.laketech.com/public-portal/LakeMerritt. Lake Merritt’s oxygen problem continues. __________________________________________________________________________________________
A SAFETY / SECURITY / SOCIAL STATION (SSS)– Why not in Lakeside Park?
Across from the lawn bowling facility, just up from the bandstand beach, sits an abandoned little building. Formerly, snacks and bever-ages were sold here to folks traveling along the main road through Lakeside Park. It is not in bad shape, and has electricity.
Given the spate of shootings, arson, burglaries, window smashing and threatening characters plaguing the park, why not establish a security station here? Situated near the park entrance, it is highly visible to anyone entering the park, whatever their intentions are.
From this modest building could be dispensed: snacks, water, park information (e.g. nature/science/art classes, sailing lessons, gondola information, volunteer opportunities, gardening opportunities, etc.), brochures for job opportunities and educational programs, social counseling contacts, etc. In addition, the station could sell pepper spray and emergency whistles, provide tips for remaining safe, contacts for legal assistance, rewards for stolen property, who-to-call numbers, and (when a police officer stopped by for free coffee), conversations with cops, which would go a long way to dispel some false narratives and generate community support. Staffing would provide jobs, or volunteers who like to chat with park users could be recruited. Hired security guards could use it during darkness hours.
It could house drones that could be launched to follow thieves. A hotline to city police dispatch would speed up response time. High powered strobe light alarms and a fire sensor could protect the building, which could model security hardware provided by companies seeking customers for their products such as steel doors, UV activated ink, motion sensor alarms, unbreakable windows etc. The station could become a go-to place for businesses seeking such information. It could expand upon the Lake Merritt Conservancy / Laney College “Oasis” concept, with which information could be shared (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nHJ2yuOA0A).
Bollards would protect the station from cars seeking to smash the building. Screens linked to live cameras in the park would provide extra security, much like is commonly used in secure buildings everywhere. That is not an invasion of privacy.
The community, city police, city staff, council and mayor, and political candidates all need to rally behind this proposal, which would not be expensive, would protect city investments, and would make Lakeside Park a secure location to visit. If you would like to help implement this proposal, email [email protected].
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Lake Merritt is not the only place where deadly oxygen levels in the water are happening. Consider this quote from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science:
“Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxic events (severe oxygen depletion) are some of the most scientifically complex and economically damaging coastal issues challenging our ability to safeguard the health of our nation’s coastal ecosystems. Almost every state in the U.S. now experiences some kind of HAB event and the number of hypoxic water bodies in the U.S. has increased 30 fold since the 1960s with over 300 coastal systems now impacted. A 2006 study shows that the economic impacts from a subset of HAB events in U.S. marine waters averaged to be $82 million annually (2005 dollars). However, just one major HAB event can cost local coastal economies tens of millions of dollars, indicating that the nationwide economic impact of HABs is likely much larger.”
I don’t know of any calculations regarding what the Lake Merritt HAB and Fish Kill of 2022 cost Oakland, but I suspect it did not enhance local real estate values. Given that, and the cost to the city to remove the thousands of dead fish, it seems prudent to invest in hardware (as well as plans) to prevent future hypoxia conditions in our downtown estuary. Such investments could include removal of sediments by dredging (which is long overdue), additional aerators, and storm drain filters to reduce nutrient loads in urban runoff.
On August 24th and 25th, near the bottom at station two in Lake Merritt, oxygen levels were 0 to 3 mg/L for 13% and 21% of the time, and never rose above 5 mg/L. This data is from the City of Oakland Lake Merritt Public Dashboard. https://www.my.laketech.com/public-portal/LakeMerritt. Lake Merritt’s oxygen problem continues. __________________________________________________________________________________________
A SAFETY / SECURITY / SOCIAL STATION (SSS)– Why not in Lakeside Park?
Across from the lawn bowling facility, just up from the bandstand beach, sits an abandoned little building. Formerly, snacks and bever-ages were sold here to folks traveling along the main road through Lakeside Park. It is not in bad shape, and has electricity.
Given the spate of shootings, arson, burglaries, window smashing and threatening characters plaguing the park, why not establish a security station here? Situated near the park entrance, it is highly visible to anyone entering the park, whatever their intentions are.
From this modest building could be dispensed: snacks, water, park information (e.g. nature/science/art classes, sailing lessons, gondola information, volunteer opportunities, gardening opportunities, etc.), brochures for job opportunities and educational programs, social counseling contacts, etc. In addition, the station could sell pepper spray and emergency whistles, provide tips for remaining safe, contacts for legal assistance, rewards for stolen property, who-to-call numbers, and (when a police officer stopped by for free coffee), conversations with cops, which would go a long way to dispel some false narratives and generate community support. Staffing would provide jobs, or volunteers who like to chat with park users could be recruited. Hired security guards could use it during darkness hours.
It could house drones that could be launched to follow thieves. A hotline to city police dispatch would speed up response time. High powered strobe light alarms and a fire sensor could protect the building, which could model security hardware provided by companies seeking customers for their products such as steel doors, UV activated ink, motion sensor alarms, unbreakable windows etc. The station could become a go-to place for businesses seeking such information. It could expand upon the Lake Merritt Conservancy / Laney College “Oasis” concept, with which information could be shared (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nHJ2yuOA0A).
Bollards would protect the station from cars seeking to smash the building. Screens linked to live cameras in the park would provide extra security, much like is commonly used in secure buildings everywhere. That is not an invasion of privacy.
The community, city police, city staff, council and mayor, and political candidates all need to rally behind this proposal, which would not be expensive, would protect city investments, and would make Lakeside Park a secure location to visit. If you would like to help implement this proposal, email [email protected].
__________________________________________________________________________________________
WATER QUALITY: Funding is lacking
Efforts to maintain and improve Lake Merritt water quality are hampered by lack of funds, and a lack of overall management philosophy. The lawn bowlers focus on lawn bowling; Fairyland focuses on fantasy and the infrastructure needed for their survival; and the Junior Center focuses on art/science classes and restoration of their arson damaged building. The Camron Stanford folks focus on history, art, and events. The Chalet focuses customers and food. The Garden Center is heavy on gardens; the Weed Warriors on maintaining the landscape; the Rotary Nature Center Friends on nature, and the Lake Merritt Institute on trash pick-up. Lake Merritt Commons focuses on writing about water quality, and lakemerritt.org tries to bring them all together.
Although the lake is one big reason these organizations are here, which of them pays for, and implements water quality improvements, and without which Lake Merritt could become very nasty? Which of these competing interests is funding removal of urban runoff contaminated sediments, construction of a wetland in the channel to remove pollutants, installation of storm drain filters to keep hypodermic needles out of the water, or deployment of aeration devices to prevent another fish kill?
The answer, in general, is none. The agencies listed above have their own issues, but water quality is taken for granted. Beleaguered city staff face budget deficits, and long lists of unfunded capital projects. State environ-mental regulators fund studies, but cannot require projects to be built unless permits are violated. Volunteers pick up trash piece by piece, but cannot install a storm drain filter. It is left to funding by bond measures (and an occasional hired contractor) to fight trash, maintain oxygen levels, improve wildlife habitat, and keep nuisance algae growths at bay. Is it enough? Water quality monitoring, seasonal inflows of trash and continued listing as impaired by the U.S. EPA all indicate the answer is no. So, who could provide funding?
Oakland is not a wealthy city, but there is wealth. It resides in a few large corporations (such as Kaiser, Wells Fargo, Safeway, Target, and Clorox), a few individuals, and some entities such as the Port of Oakland, which has a 2024 budget of 558 million dollars.
In Atlanta, Coca Cola funds a city park about the same size as Lakeside Park as much as several million dollars per year. As a result, the park thrives and generates additional money from its own businesses. It is managed by a non-profit conservancy that oversees park improvements, and 90 percent of the Park's daily maintenance care and security.
Piedmont Park in Atlanta is supported by the Coca Cola Foundation, UPS, Kaiser Foundation, Bank of America, Home Depot, Invesco, Norfolk Southern Railway, and other corporations.
The Piedmont Park Conservancy was founded in 1989 to revitalize the rapidly deteriorating park. Since then, it has raised and invested $66 million in the restoration and enhancement of Piedmont Park and making it, once again, the most visited green space in Atlanta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_Park#cite_note-ParkConservancy-38). This author lived near there for several years, and reading about it is almost like reading about Lakeside Park, except that Lakeside Park has problems of infrastructure, safety, and water quality.
The moral of the story is: If Lake Merritt is to have adequate water quality and well maintained parklands, it needs corporate sponsorship. Which corporations will step up? The Lake Merritt Conservancy is in contact with the City Administrator, and is poised to accept grants. https://www.oaklandparks.org/lake-merritt-conservancy/
__________________________________________________________________________________________
POLITICS – Endorsed Candidates Websites
Charlene Wang – At Large: https://www.charleneforoakland.com/
Zac Unger – District One: https://www.zac4oakland.com/
Baba Afolabi – District Three: https://babafordistrict3.com/
Noel Gallo – District Five: https://www.noelgalloforoakland.com/
Ken Houston - District Seven: https://kenhouston.org/
Ryan Richardson – City Attorney: https://www.ryanforoakland.com/meet_ryan
JUNIOR CENTER FOR ART AND SCIENCE – Grand Re-opening
After two fires and years of being physically closed, the Junior Center of Art and Science at Lake Merritt is back and open for business! There are so many ways everyone can help the Junior Center bring positive energy, activity, and services back to this part of Lake Merritt. Their newly renovated space is beautiful, and certainly could be used to hold a community meeting. There are lots of ways you can help...
The Rotary Nature Center and wildlife refuge is beginning to create a community-led redevelopment plan. Input will be sought from stakeholders regarding the ponds, security, program / activity access, and other issues. Director Sonomia Byrd will be leading the planning effort. Imagine, inspire, invest, and experience Oakland with the Nature Center! https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/rotary-nature-center
__________________________________________________________________________________________
For further details on Lake Merritt, review the posts at “Lake Merritt Commons” on Facebook.
Efforts to maintain and improve Lake Merritt water quality are hampered by lack of funds, and a lack of overall management philosophy. The lawn bowlers focus on lawn bowling; Fairyland focuses on fantasy and the infrastructure needed for their survival; and the Junior Center focuses on art/science classes and restoration of their arson damaged building. The Camron Stanford folks focus on history, art, and events. The Chalet focuses customers and food. The Garden Center is heavy on gardens; the Weed Warriors on maintaining the landscape; the Rotary Nature Center Friends on nature, and the Lake Merritt Institute on trash pick-up. Lake Merritt Commons focuses on writing about water quality, and lakemerritt.org tries to bring them all together.
Although the lake is one big reason these organizations are here, which of them pays for, and implements water quality improvements, and without which Lake Merritt could become very nasty? Which of these competing interests is funding removal of urban runoff contaminated sediments, construction of a wetland in the channel to remove pollutants, installation of storm drain filters to keep hypodermic needles out of the water, or deployment of aeration devices to prevent another fish kill?
The answer, in general, is none. The agencies listed above have their own issues, but water quality is taken for granted. Beleaguered city staff face budget deficits, and long lists of unfunded capital projects. State environ-mental regulators fund studies, but cannot require projects to be built unless permits are violated. Volunteers pick up trash piece by piece, but cannot install a storm drain filter. It is left to funding by bond measures (and an occasional hired contractor) to fight trash, maintain oxygen levels, improve wildlife habitat, and keep nuisance algae growths at bay. Is it enough? Water quality monitoring, seasonal inflows of trash and continued listing as impaired by the U.S. EPA all indicate the answer is no. So, who could provide funding?
Oakland is not a wealthy city, but there is wealth. It resides in a few large corporations (such as Kaiser, Wells Fargo, Safeway, Target, and Clorox), a few individuals, and some entities such as the Port of Oakland, which has a 2024 budget of 558 million dollars.
In Atlanta, Coca Cola funds a city park about the same size as Lakeside Park as much as several million dollars per year. As a result, the park thrives and generates additional money from its own businesses. It is managed by a non-profit conservancy that oversees park improvements, and 90 percent of the Park's daily maintenance care and security.
Piedmont Park in Atlanta is supported by the Coca Cola Foundation, UPS, Kaiser Foundation, Bank of America, Home Depot, Invesco, Norfolk Southern Railway, and other corporations.
The Piedmont Park Conservancy was founded in 1989 to revitalize the rapidly deteriorating park. Since then, it has raised and invested $66 million in the restoration and enhancement of Piedmont Park and making it, once again, the most visited green space in Atlanta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_Park#cite_note-ParkConservancy-38). This author lived near there for several years, and reading about it is almost like reading about Lakeside Park, except that Lakeside Park has problems of infrastructure, safety, and water quality.
The moral of the story is: If Lake Merritt is to have adequate water quality and well maintained parklands, it needs corporate sponsorship. Which corporations will step up? The Lake Merritt Conservancy is in contact with the City Administrator, and is poised to accept grants. https://www.oaklandparks.org/lake-merritt-conservancy/
__________________________________________________________________________________________
POLITICS – Endorsed Candidates Websites
Charlene Wang – At Large: https://www.charleneforoakland.com/
Zac Unger – District One: https://www.zac4oakland.com/
Baba Afolabi – District Three: https://babafordistrict3.com/
Noel Gallo – District Five: https://www.noelgalloforoakland.com/
Ken Houston - District Seven: https://kenhouston.org/
Ryan Richardson – City Attorney: https://www.ryanforoakland.com/meet_ryan
JUNIOR CENTER FOR ART AND SCIENCE – Grand Re-opening
After two fires and years of being physically closed, the Junior Center of Art and Science at Lake Merritt is back and open for business! There are so many ways everyone can help the Junior Center bring positive energy, activity, and services back to this part of Lake Merritt. Their newly renovated space is beautiful, and certainly could be used to hold a community meeting. There are lots of ways you can help...
- Donate! to the Junior Center
- Share the information below with your lists
- Post about their reopening online along with your words of support
- Like and follow the Junior Center on their social media platforms -- Facebook, Instagram, Website
The Rotary Nature Center and wildlife refuge is beginning to create a community-led redevelopment plan. Input will be sought from stakeholders regarding the ponds, security, program / activity access, and other issues. Director Sonomia Byrd will be leading the planning effort. Imagine, inspire, invest, and experience Oakland with the Nature Center! https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/rotary-nature-center
__________________________________________________________________________________________
For further details on Lake Merritt, review the posts at “Lake Merritt Commons” on Facebook.
Lake Merritt Dispatch newsletter © 2024 Richard L. Bailey