Everyone is here': San Pablo Park Berkeley's oldest is a fixture in a changed neighborhood

"There are not too many spaces where you can have folks gather without a permit and not be harassed by the police and other people, said Orobosa Ogbeide, the 28-year-old founder of Play2Win, the group behind the event, which drew more than 300 people. It was the quality of the park, the baseball fields were clean and safety was definitely a concern. We really wanted a positive vibe."

"On another side of the park, Jamie Cope walked his dog, Izzy, a retriever poodle. While Izzy explored a patch of grass, Cope spun his Escrima sticks, a prop used in the Filipino martial art. Enthusiasts often gather at the park to practice. This was the first, last affordable place in Berkeley when we bought our home 24 years ago and the park was the main appeal, Cope said."

On a recent weekend, San Pablo Park hosted Field Day where young Black professionals gathered for music, barbecue, volleyball, kickball and conversation. Organizers chose the South Berkeley park after weeks of searching for a space that allowed gatherings without permits and offered safety and clean facilities; the event drew more than 300 people. Regular users practice Filipino martial arts and taekwondo and bring dogs to the park. A resident recalled buying a home 24 years ago because the park made the neighborhood affordable. The Frances Albrier Community Center hosted a family reunion of more than 65 people. The park includes playgrounds, barbecue pits, basketball courts and six tennis courts.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org