Co-chairs Report: 2023 was a remarkable year!
Greeting Friends!
On behalf of Friends of Lincoln Square Park, we’re excited to share a year-end recap of our campaign to build a new recreation and resiliency center — nearly three times larger than our current space — at our beloved park. It was a busy year as we supported the City and community and extended our popular Lincoln Summer Nights series. We end the year, full of gratitude for your support and more confident than ever that after nearly 27 years of anticipation, 2024 will be the year construction will start on our shared community vision!
A year of project advancements
This year, the City’s Public Works department and their design team, Shah Kawasaki Architects made major progress on architectural drawings for the new center. The project received final approval in September from the Oakland Planning Commission, after a series of successful public meetings. Friends of Lincoln Square Park attended each meeting and provided public comments advocating for approval. This final approval brings us one big step closer to breaking ground.
A year of resilience planning
The new center will be both a recreation and a community resilience center. Friends of Lincoln Square Park began meeting regularly this year with our community partner Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Oakland Public Works, and the Oakland’s Office of Resiliency. Together we planned future resilience programming, ensuring the center will keep the community safe and resourced before, during, and after disasters strike.
A year of expanded programming
To meet community demand, we partnered with the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council and extended our popular Lincoln Summer Nights series to 6 nights, from May to October. This joyful monthly event brings together hundreds of community members, local organizations, neighbors, performers and many volunteers together for a fun and festive evening. With support from APEN, we were also able to purchase an archery set, a big hit with Summer Nights attendees!
A year of funding commitments
We started the year announcing news of a $2 million dollar federal appropriation sponsored by Senator Padilla and ended the year with news of $9.25 million dollar Community Resilience Center grant from the State of California. Friends of Lincoln Square Park played a key role supporting the City’s efforts to apply for and secure these needed project funds. These new sources are in addition to funds already committed by the City through Measure KK and the Measure U infrastructure bond funds. Friends of Lincoln Square Park also continued to raise private funds for the center and park from supporters like you!
A year of recognition
Our community-based efforts were recognized in May at the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Spring Banquet with the 2023 Community Group Award and again in December by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, with the 2023 District 18 Community Advocates of the Year.
2024 preview
As we approach groundbreaking, Friends of Lincoln Square Park is more committed than ever to seeing this project through to completion, supporting park programming and the community. Fundraising is ongoing and we will be sharing new ways you can strengthen your connection to the park and new center in 2024. If you’d like more information sooner, please reach out to discuss.
Until then, we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year!
— Tiffany Eng and Karen Dea, Co-chairs