Verdese Carter Park

East Oakland | California

What We’re Doing
Working with the community to transform their well-loved park into a modern, vibrant hub for everyone to enjoy the benefits of nature.

Our Goal
Close the park equity gap in communities that need it most and connect more people to the outdoors.

Support Our Work in California

A woman holding a child's hand in a park.

By the Numbers

12,000

people within a 10-minute walk

Nearly 3.5

acres of green space

30+

community stakeholders

A Community-Led Vision for a Vibrant Community Asset

At Trust for Public Land, we know that parks and green spaces are essential to community health and well-being. But we also know that parks in low-income neighborhoods are four times smaller yet serve four times more people per acre than parks serving high-income households, according to TPL data. Verdese Carter Park is no exception.

This park is a well-loved green space in the diverse and densely populated East Oakland neighborhood. It is the only major park within a half mile of the surrounding community, serving about 12,000 people within a 10-minute walk.

When residents visit Verdese Carter Park now, it’s clear the basketball courts have seen thousands of dunks and 3-point attempts. Park benches are well-worn from family gatherings and the playground equipment has scratches and dents that tell the story of playful adventures. Trust for Public Land is partnering with the City of Oakland, the Police Activities League (PAL), and the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation (OPRF) to revamp this space into a modern park that’s welcoming to everyone.

It’s not just the place that matters, it’s the process. Deep community engagement is critical to produce a quality park that better meets the needs of the neighborhood. TPL has been engaging with the community since 2020 and thanks to funding from Proposition 68, this space will come to life with new playgrounds, multi-use fields, trees, a plaza, community garden, and nature play area. Once complete, Verdese Carter Park will reflect the green space vision of those who love it most and connect thousands of East Oakland residents to the benefits of nature.

About This Project

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Get in Touch With Our California Team

Los Angeles Office

135 West Green Street
2nd Floor
Pasadena, CA, 91105
(323) 223-0441
losangeles@tpl.org

Sacramento Office

1107 9th Street
Suite 1050
Sacramento, CA, 95814
(916) 557-1673
sacramento@tpl.org

San Francisco Office

23 Geary Street
Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 495-4014
sanfrancisco@tpl.org

Guillermo Rodriguez

Vice President Pacific Region, California State Director

415-800-5267
california@tpl.org