Mosswood neighbor

[kasper]

Hi Terri and Mosswood Park Rec, 

I hope this email finds you well. 

I live on 37th Street near Webster, and I'd love to learn more about your organization. Some of my neighbors are looking to get active in helping to keep the park clean and safe. I'm wondering if your group is focused on this, and if so, how can we join and get active? 

Thank you!

-Kasper

[Mosswood Park RAC]

Kasper,

Thank you and all the neighbors who have taken up an interest in happenings at Mosswood Park.

There was a time that Oakland had an active program for neighborhood volunteer groups to support their local Recreation Center, called Recreation Advisory Council (RAC).   They are to be an organization of volunteers to support the work of the Recreation Center.   Mosswood is a large park so there is more that happens here than just the programming at the Recreation Center so when the neighbors got active with the RAC in 2017 because of the fire that destroyed the 1950's era recreation center, they decided that the mission of the renewed RAC should be to support the the full park and the neighborhood since they can be interconnected.   In the past Mosswood Park RAC has worked to organize events, support groups who want to have events, do volunteer beautifications and just have social events.  

In theory the RAC is a quasi-official part of the Parks Department structure (see attached pdf.  which strangely who will not find on the Oakland web site any more).   Ideally it is part of a two way communication structure where the Park community comes together to discuss issues and aspirations.  Those would be relayed to the Parks administration through the Recreation Center but also a liason from  another (more official) organization called the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC).  Communication would then return down the chain back to the community.   The City has many commissions made of members of the public and appointed by the mayor to advise the mayor and department.   An example of their importance, PRAC is in charge of Measure Q oversite.  There was a time when the RAC system was (sorta-) in effect and there were PRAC commissioners who took seriously the role of RAC.   We had a PRAC liaison that came actively to our monthly meetings and advised and encouraged the Mosswood community.   She was also actively trying to get RAC established at other parks like De Femery. 

Terri Westbrook is a City of Oakland employee who runs the Recreation Center.  She manages the events at the Recreation Center, supervises rentals in the park (big events like Meltdown, and little events like a family picnic table rental), creates and supervised programing (which ranges from toddlers, kids, teens, inclusive and to adults) at the Center, and tries to maintain some sense of order in the Park.    Probably a few other things I've not listed.   Not part of her job description but Terri has become one of the biggest advocates for Mosswood Park. 

Mosswood Park RAC at its core wants to see the park remain a great place and be vital and active in all manner.   The RAC only happens because of YOU.   Like any volunteer organization it is successful because people put energy and time into making it that.   As people move, have life changes, different focus, the organization changes and shifts.   Mosswood Park RAC in the past has been very active.   Currently it is just getting by and needs an infusion of energy.   It was great to see at the last (April) meeting such an attendance of concerned neighbors.   I hope that many of them can continue to come to meetings.   The RAC needs people at all energy levels - just showing up once a year to help at events like this weekends Earth Day, people who come regularly to the monthly meetings to help inform the discussion, those who can dedicate 5-10 hours a month doing things like social media, taking meeting notes, organizing meetings....   

So partly it is not how can you help, but how do you want to help.   Bring ideas, discuss, participate and organize. 

Next meeting is May 7th at 6:30pm. 

Happy to discuss more 

-brian (37th St)

510.908.4730