APEN members speak up!
APEN (Asian Pacific Environmental Network) members have played a key role in advocating for our new recreation and community resilience center at Lincoln Square Park. Whether at City Hall, working with the architectural team, attending community forums, or hosting site visits at the park, they have built broad political and community support for the project and inspired others with their own personal stories.
On October 29th, 2025 two APEN members shared their experiences during a site visit with community leaders working towards a just transition toward local, healthy, and life-sustaining economies that benefit everyone. Read their stories, translated into English.
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I am a participant of APEN Academy 101.
During the planning process for the upcoming renovation of Lincoln Recreation Center, I took part in an activity where we imagined what the new Lincoln could look like. We envisioned a space with recreation rooms, a gym, a computer lab, and an emergency shelter for times of disaster. It would have backup power, water, food supplies, and a cafeteria. Our APEN members split into small groups to design the building layout and interior spaces according to our ideas. We also drew beautiful green corridors outside the building, with trees, plants, and community gardens.
I also joined the “Stone Art Creation” activity organized by Lincoln Center and APEN, where we worked together with elementary school students. Everyone used their creativity and imagination to decorate smooth stones with colorful mosaic pieces, creating beautiful designs—hearts , suns , leaves , windmills, bridges, and more. The colorful artwork expressed our hopes for peace and our desire to protect the environment that sustains us, for the benefit of future generations.
When I learned that these stone artworks will be installed along Alice Street, connecting Lincoln Recreation Center and the nearby school, I felt very proud and inspired—our work will become a lasting part of the community.
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Oakland, California, is one of the major cities in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Known worldwide for its cultural diversity, port trade, and natural beauty, it is also the third most populous city in the Bay Area.
After joining the APEN Academy, I have learned a lot about current social issues. Each session of the Academy encourages participants to share cultures, expand knowledge, and actively take part in community activities.
My apartment association sets up a booth during Lincoln Night, offering useful information and cultural activities that allow people of all ages to connect in a joyful atmosphere. I especially love seeing strangers become friends through a simple game or conversation—it truly shows the warmth of mutual support within our community. I also participated in APEN’s emergency preparedness kit project, helping to pack essential supplies for residents to face climate-related disasters. Seeing everyone cooperate and look out for one another strengthens my belief that true safety comes from unity.
In the Lincoln Center renovation project, I joined fellow residents in sharing ideas and planning for the future. To me, the new Lincoln Center is not just an activity space—it is a safe haven and shared home for Chinatown residents. The future Lincoln Resilience Hub will provide more outdoor recreation and cultural exchange spaces for the community, while also being equipped with air filtration, backup power, essential information-sharing systems, and stored medical supplies. These features will help ensure our community remains safe and cared for in times of climate crisis. Thank you.
