On October 24, 2020, the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and East Wind Books Multicultural Services co-presented an online panel on Oakland Chinatown, currently at a critical turning point. Friends of Lincoln Square Park co-founder, Tiffany Eng, spoke about her connection to Chinatown and talked about our vision for a new, larger building. Read her comments in full. 

The event was named: Chinatown Today, Chinatown Tomorrow. Panelists shared their thoughts on the issues affecting our historic neighborhood and how we can address them. Click on their names to skip to their presentation.

Moderator (4:29) William Gee Wong presents a historical perspective and then is joined by (15:27) Ted Dang (Commercial broker/developer, also EBALDC co-founder), (31:26) Alvina Wong (APEN Campaign & Organizing Director), (46:47) Tiffany Eng (Friends of Lincoln Park co-founder), and (57:02) Joyce Pisnanont (CAPACD Director of Economic Empowerment). Panelists discuss complex, interwoven factors such as immigration and gentrification trends affecting Oakland Chinatown. Learn from their expertise and lived experiences as well as discover local resources and ways to support Oakland Chinatown today and tomorrow.

This event was part of OACC's “Community Voices to Empower Change” series. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  

Thank you to Akemi, OACC and your supporters for hosting this event and inviting me to share exciting plans for an improved Recreation Center at Lincoln Square Park in Oakland Chinatown.

Welcome to our new website.  This is the place to learn more about Friends of Lincoln Square Park and our bold vision for the future of the recreation center. Have a look around, let us know what you think and get involved today!  

Lincoln Square has been an active part of Oakland Chinatown for over 100 years and memories abound such as playing on the Wa Sung Junkboat, Teen Nights, Kiddie Corner, talent shows and Summer Nights. Lincoln Square park has always served as a gathering spot for community members of all ages. As folks grow up and out of the neighborhood, the park has increasingly served as a regional recreation center not just for Oaklanders, but also the greater Bay Area.

For the past year, a core group of volunteers have been exploring the concept of expanding the current recreational center as the needs of the community continue to outgrow the aging facility. In addition to meeting monthly, we've been talking with community leaders and elected officials, and have hosted public meetings to gather feedback.  We've even hosted a few small fundraising events, and have raised some funds from generous individuals so we could begin with the initial design phase and have started to develop conceptual drawings.

We need additional voices and hands to help and so we are inviting you to get involved!

Please consider any or all of the following: 

• Help plan an upcoming Lincoln School Alumni Reunion
• Join the Steering Committee, which includes a leadership position plus monthly meetings
• Be an extra pair of hands by helping with tasks like mailings and managing the database​

What other talents can you share?  Please let us know!

We are also looking for pictures of the park and school, current or from the past.  If you have any to share,  email them to us at info@FriendsofLincolnSquarePark.org or mail copies to P.O Box 13267 Oakland, CA 94661.  We'll build an photo archive and share your stories on our website.

Contact us or email us at info@friendsoflincolnsquarepark.org and let us know how you can help move this project forward. 

Thank you for your dedication and continued support!

Sincerely, 
Friends of Lincoln Square Park