Note: This is not an official City of Oakland project update. Information is collected by volunteers and deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Official construction notices available on the City’s project page. Official park programming notices on the OPRYD park page.
Friends of Lincoln Square Park is committed to keeping the community connected to each other and the park, and informed throughout the construction phase.
October was a rollercoaster of month for the park community as we prepared for demolition, relocated our youth programs and said goodbye to Ms. Kathy.
Construction updates
Demo planning progressed in October, as the City and Contractors worked with EBMUD and PGE to shut off the gas, water and electricity and complete the required paperwork and permits. Turning off the utilities is the last step needed before the old building can be demolished.
Note new date: The demolition of the old rec center is now scheduled to begin Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Structural demolition will be completed by November 20th.
Additional site clearing and tree removal within the fenced construction area and tree will follow.
Any significant change to the schedule as demolition progresses will be updated on the City’s official demolition page.
Friends of Lincoln Square Park posted new bi-lingual signage around the construction perimeter showcase images of the future center in order to inform and excite the community.
Construction crews began transitioning the lighting at the park from the existing power to temporary construction power. During the transition, there may be periods when the park is not fully lit after dark.
Friends of Lincoln Square conducted a streetlight audit around the park and found 5 streetlights out in and immediately around the park. Since these lights fall outside the project area, we will be following up with the City street lights division to make sure the park sidewalks are adequately lit throughout construction.
Park Program Updates - Open During Construction!
Youth programming moved their home base to their new temporary home at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts a few blocks from the park. More work is needed in order to prepare the space so that the Lincoln Explorers program can take full advantage of the all the areas available.
Sports programming previously occurring in the gym has not yet been relocated and has been temporarily suspended.
Youth also began spending more time at Snow Park by the Lake in anticipation of demolition activity starting.
Still available and accessible: Alice Street corridor, both playgrounds, outdoor gym some basketball hoops
Program staff will continue to monitor the outdoor areas at Lincoln Park whenever possible.
Stop by the brick club house (261 11th St) for other real-time program updates. Enter from inside the park.
Park Community News and Updates
Our beloved Ms. Kathy passed away on October 6, 2026 after a month-long battle in the hospital. Within hours of her passing, volunteers from the community, trained in grief counseling, came together to provide in-person counseling, on-site support, online resources, and bi-lingual zoom support calls to Lincoln youth and families at the school and park. Friends of Lincoln Square Park collected and shared info and resources online.
Her family has since directed all donations to Friends of Lincoln Square Park to carry on her legacy and the programs and activities she helped start.
Within a week, a community alter to honor the memory of Ms. Kathy was created at the park and filled with flowers throughout the month. On October 8th, students and families gathered at the park to share stories and find support in community. On October 25th, the funeral procession passed around the entire Lincoln block. The park was decorated with white flowers by the TK classroom where she worked, by the entrance to the rec center, by the community alter between the park and the school. Families filled the park to honor her, filling the streets and park with bubbles and flowers.
The park and beloved park staff were featured in a short documentary debuting in Oakland for the first time at the Grand Lake Theater October 7th. It was a beautiful evening, with a performance by the Lincoln Explorers Lion Dancers, in memory of Ms. Kathy. The film Gilbert Gong: Heart of Lincoln Square was also screened at the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival and the Boston Asian American Film Festival.
Friends of Lincoln Square Park joined the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber, and other community organizations to celebrate Halloween with the Lincoln Explorers and all the youth who came to Oakland Chinatown for trick or treating.