
Projects in this category of Lake Merritt Restoration and Water Quality were largely completed as of 2021. In 2019 the Community Coalition began exploring "wish list" ideas to spend the remainder of funds on related projects not specified by the original bond.
Project Categories and Allocations
Water Quality
$14,000,000 was allocated towards these Projects:
- Replace 12th Street culvert with arched bridge to increase tidal flow and flushing into Lake Merritt
- Water quality improvements, including storm water filters, trash barriers, wildlife waste clean- up facilities and aeration fountains
Recreation and Youth Activities
$14,500,000 was allocated towards these projects:
- Children's Fairyland improvements, including historic restoration, drainage, amphitheater and play structure improvements
- Renovate municipal boathouse and restore public use
- Restore and renovate Lakeside Park sailboat house, including boat storage and conversion of parking lot to public shoreline area
Park Restoration and Access
$59,750,000 was allocated towards these projects:
- Create park space and beach area along Lake Merritt south shore and redesign 12th Street to create safe pedestrian and bicycle access from Lake Merritt to Kaiser Convention Center and Channel Park
- Improve and renovate maintenance facilities, landscaping, docks, restrooms, furnishings and signage
- Repair Lake Merritt retaining walls
- Widen and improve pedestrian and bicycle paths and lanes
- Reconfigure Bellevue Avenue for better access and parking accommodations
- Expand Snow Park by reconfiguring Lakeside, Harrison and 20th intersection
- Reconfigure El Embarcadero roadways for safer pedestrian and traffic access

Summary
In 2002, Oakland voters passed Measure DD, authorizing $198,250,000 in bonds to create the Oakland Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks, whose purpose is to "improve water quality, provide educational and recreational facilities for children, clean up Lake Merritt, restore Oakland's creeks, waterfront and Estuary, preserve and acquire open space, renovate parks, provide safe public spaces, and provide matching funds to quality for state and federal funding for these projects."
See more about the project categories and implementations further down the page.
Measure DD Project Categories
Funding from the bond measure was split between the following 5 categories.
- Measure DD: Lake Merritt Restoration and Water Quality
- Measure DD: Creek and Waterway Restoration
- Measure DD: Estuary Waterfront Access, Parks, and Clean up
- Measure DD: Lake Merritt Channel
- Measure DD: Youth and Public Recreation Facilities
About
Overall information about Measure DD, the Oakland Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks, passed in 2002 to improve water quality, provide educational and recreational facilities for children, clean up Lake Merritt, restore Oakland's creeks, waterfront and Estuary, preserve and acquire open space, renovate parks, provide safe public spaces, and provide matching funds to quality for state and federal funding for these projects.

Contact the Coalition
The Measure DD Community Coalition provides oversight, input, feedback, and recommendations to project staff on organizing, prioritizing, and spending for DD projects. The Coalition assists with applications for supplemental funding.
The Measure DD Community Coalition was authorized by Oakland City Council in 2003 as "an inclusive coalition of Oaklanders and organizations interested in the implementation of Measure DD."
About the Measure DD Community Coalition
The Measure DD Community Coalition provides oversight, input, feedback, and recommendations to project staff on organizing, prioritizing, and spending for DD projects. The Coalition assists with applications for supplemental funding.
This Coalition was authorized by Oakland City Council in 2003 as "an inclusive coalition of Oaklanders and organizations interested in the implementation of Measure DD."
All are welcome to participate. Find details about upcoming meetings below.
Measure DD Community Coalition's Statement of Purpose adopted at its April 12, 2003 meeting.
Stay in Touch: Listserv and Liaison
Measure DD Community Coalition listserv is the way to stay in touch with the Coalition and hear about upcoming meetings and other information.
To contact the Coalition with meeting agenda suggestions (by the Wednesday prior to the meeting), questions or comments about Measure DD planning or projects write to mperlmutter@oaklandca.gov
Coalition Document Archive
Archive of Minutes and Agendas before 2022 (2012-2021)
Other Ways to Help
Find a Group to Volunteer with
Measure DD projects are constructed with grants and general obligation bond funds, but by law these funds cannot be used for ongoing maintenance and operation costs. Existing City of Oakland Public Works staff have been reduced, so volunteer groups have stepped forward to help maintain the wonderful improvements from Measure DD.
Meetings
The Measure DD Community Coalition meets from 7pm-9pm on the fourth Monday night in January and the third Monday night in March, May, July, September, and November. The meetings are open to individuals and organizations who desire to participate in the program.
Until further notice, meetings will be held remotely at the link and call-in information below:
Video conference link
Meeting ID: 860 2977 3208
Passcode: 947363
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Meeting ID: 860 2977 3208
Upcoming Meetings
MEETINGS LIST

Overview
The project category included projects around sports and recreation facilities. Projects in this category are completed.
East Oakland Sports Center
$10,000,000 was allocated towards this the East Oakland Sports Center
The East Oakland Sports Center is a facility at William "Bill" Patterson Park, in East Oakland. The complex includes an indoor pool, outdoor pool, gymnasium, and soccer fields. The first phase of the project, partly funded by Measure DD, consists of 22,500 square feet of building space, with an indoor pool, locker rooms and restrooms, meeting rooms, an aerobics/dance studio, a learning center, and a fitness center.
Development:
- Measure DD bonds: $10.5 million;
- State of California Prop 40 Urban Parks grant: $3 million;
- East Bay Regional Parks Measure WW: $6 million;
- City Redevelopment Agency funds: $2 million
Maintenance: The project will be maintained the City of Oakland.
Studio One
$10,000,000 was allocated for seismic renovations of Studio One.
Measure DD renovated and upgraded this 1894 building to address mandatory building codes, life-safety issues and deferred maintenance. The project provided enhanced facilities for community art programs and classes, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and other arts.
Development. Measure DD bonds: $10 million.
Maintenance. The project will be maintained the City of Oakland.
Stay informed about upcoming meetings, news, and project updates by registering.
About Measure DD and the Measure DD Coalition
The Measure DD Community Coalition is open to all participants.
The Coalition provides oversight, input, feedback, and recommendations to project staff on organizing, prioritizing, and spending for DD projects. The Coalition assists with applications for supplemental funding.
Register using the above form to receive Measure DD Coalition meeting updates and other information.
News
- 2012 Facility of Merit Winner: East Oakland Sports Center October 19, 2012, Athletic Business Newswire
- East Oakland Sports Center a spark of life November 2, 2011, San Francisco Chronicle
- Recreational facility for low-income area of CA, East Oakland Sports Center, completes October 12, 2011, World Architecture News
- New East Oakland Sports Center Opens to the Public July 1, 2011, Oakland North blog
Latest News and Updates
NEWS LIST
More About Measure DD