"The freeway system that slashes through this city—from South Berkeley through Temescal to Downtown—was never meant to aid Oakland. Starting from its very inception, the freeway system in Oakland was designed to direct resources above and away from the city, not through it."
"Karen West packs a large brown paper ACE garden trash bag that nearly matches her in height. Recently retired from Children's Hospital in July, she found her way here through the Temescal Street Fair, where she met the garden committee and followed up on their calls for volunteers."
"I like being outside, and I like gardening. She knows that as a community resident she will have pride in the finished space, and thinks that people will enjoy 'driving by it and seeing the park.'"
The freeway system in Oakland was intentionally designed to redirect resources away from the city, hindering its growth and prosperity. In the 1960s, Oakland was poised for progress, but the infrastructure decisions made at that time stunted its development. In 2025, the community reflects a blend of urban gardening and resource sharing, with residents actively participating in local initiatives. Karen West, a retired hospital worker, engages in community gardening, expressing pride in contributing to the neighborhood's beautification and fostering a sense of community.
Read at East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda
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