Fiscal Year 2013-2015 Special Budget Meeting

CITY FACTS RECREATION The Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR) offers critical quality of life programming in areas of enrichment, cultural arts, prevention and intervention, sports and physical activities, health and wellness, youth violence abatement, and other leisure activities for adults, youth, and children. Programs and Camps at recreation centers, pools and parks are part of the efforts to promote health, stem obesity, and encourage civic participation, personal development, and empowerment. We preserve the best of Oakland and connect communities. OPR also operates:  30 recreation/cultural arts/boating/science & nature/teen centers  140 parks and playgrounds  66 ball fields  6 swimming pools  44 tennis courts  15 community gardens  10 rental facilities  5 dog play areas  3 public golf courses  2 skate parks  1 Sport Complex and Indoor Water Park; and a host of other public facilities Oakland is at the heart of the East Bay Regional Park District, a splendid system of 65 parks and 29 regional hiking trails covering more than 100,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. OTHER ATTRACTIONS Oakland is home to many world-class and unique attractions for local residents and visitors. Chabot Space & Science Center – The City of Oakland is home to Chabot Space & Science Center (CSSC), an 86,000 square foot, award-winning facility featuring hands-on science and astronomy exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, a large-format domed screen theater, a simulated space mission experience, and the largest telescopes available for public use in California. Fox Theater – The newly renovated Fox Theater in downtown Oakland reopened its doors in February 2009 with a run of performances from entertainment’s top acts. The theater’s wrap-around building will also be the permanent home for the Oakland School for the Arts, a tuition-free charter school dedicated to artistic and academic excellence. Grand Lake Theater - A mainstay of the community since its construction in 1926, this first-run movie theater is graced with a colorful, lighted marquee and a sweeping staircase in the main hall. Look for the ornately decorated walls, brass chandeliers, and faux opera boxes. Prior to curtain on Friday and Saturday nights, an organist serenades the audience on a Wurlitzer. Lake Merritt – The Lake is the largest lake located within an urban area and is set in Lakeside Park, which is home to the Garden Center, Sailboat House, Rotary Nature Center, Junior Science Center, and a Bonsai Garden. Bordered by a 3.4 mile trail, Lake Merritt is a favorite location for joggers, walkers, and strollers. Children's Fairyland - Young children will enjoy this enchanting, three-dimensional fantasy world where popular nursery rhymes come to life, set in picturesque Lakeside Park. Jack London Square – Located along Oakland’s waterfront, Jack London Square is home to Yoshi’s Jazz Club, a Cineplex, numerous restaurants, and other local attractions. Local arts venues extend their evening hours on Third Thursdays Oakland Art Nights, to host exhibitions, artists’ lectures and demonstrations, receptions and other cultural events. C - 9