Neighbors Paint and Plant Tot Lot, Though Not All Love New Look
A group of community members who got together to give the Opal Staniek Tot Lot a makeover skipped the city permitting process but got away with a reminder to "ask first" next time.
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Until April, every time Joanna Manqueros would pass Regent Park, also known as the Opal Staniek Tot Lot, her heart sank.
"For many years, I would pass the park and see the dirt and the chain link fence, and I felt sad about our community," she said. "City services didn't have time to take care of it."
So Manqueros, and dozens of other neighbors and their children, took matters into their own hands.
Manqueros talked with local nurseries -- Magic Gardens, Westbrae and Berkeley Horticulture -- and secured discounts on plants. Parents donated compost to the effort.
Manqueros and many of her neighbors began planting at the lot, picking up garbage and taking out weeds.
One day, Westbrae owner Jeff Eckart was passing by and noticed the effort, and offered to donate plants to the group to help with their work.
From that point on, Manqueros said, there was an "infusion of plants" in her driveway, some of which worked for the park, and others that found different homes. She made sure to plant only native species, and items that would not be poisonous.
There have been a few glitches along the way. She said the group planted some "really beautiful trees" on a corner, and was told by a neighbor that it was a bad place for them because it would have created a blind curve. So the trees were moved to a more suitable location.
"It's been a learning experience for me," she said. "I'm not a gardener. I'm a licensed social worker."
The group ultimately decided to take their beautification efforts a step further. Manqueros spoke with Pastime Ace Hardware in El Cerrito, and the business donated paint to add some color to the park.
Kids from 3 to 16 years old grabbed brushes and painted the fence and concrete. They made signs and flowers to welcome neighbors to the space.
"It was really a fun project," said Manqueros. "I think that a lot of people feel now they're participants in the community."
Though the planting began in April, neighbors have continued maintaining and improving the landscaping, Manqueros said. One local resident, Art Simon, has donated the use of his hose and water to keep the plants irrigated.
Unfortunately, not everyone felt included. Some neighbors made complaints in September, to the Recreation and Community Services Department, indicating they weren't happy with the results of the painting, and that they hadn't known the changes were going to happen.
As a result, the Parks and Recreation Commission added discussion of the tot lot to the agenda for its Oct. 14 meeting. There was some question as to whether Manqueros might face fines for failing to follow the proper avenue for approval of the project.
But commissioners said, overall, it seemed neighbors were happy with the efforts, and simply asked Manqueros and other neighbors who showed up to support her to ask before making future changes to public property.
No one who attended the meeting criticized the project, though one neighbor, from the 1000 block of Cornell Avenue, said she hadn't known about the work in advance, and asked fellow residents to try to keep the sidewalks free of toys.
About 40 people had signed a petition in support of the tot lot painting and planting, Manqueros said.
Commissioners and Penelope Leach, director of the Recreation and Community Services Department, did ask the neighbors to let them know about what types of paint were used in the project, so they could make sure materials were up to environmental codes.
The city also plans to ensure that paint on the tot lot steps isn't too slick come the rainy season.
One open question is the painting on the cyclone fence around the park, about which several commissioners expressed aesthetic concerns. The matter will be forwarded to the Arts Committee, the group said.
The commissioners made a point to remind the group that they need to be respectful of all their neighbors, as well as public property.
"On its merit, it's quite a nice thing," said Commissioner Gary Class. "But it does set a precedent. We do need to have regulations about public parks."
Commissioner Nick Pilch continued on this idea, saying it is important to make sure everyone has a chance to weigh in and that, in the future, the required public notification must be done by authorities before changes happen.
But, all in all, the mood of the meeting was jovial and positive.
"I think the spirit of community and spontaneity is great in this instance," Pilch said. "You got together and you just got something done.... and really improved the area."
In This article
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Westbrae Nursery
1272 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA -
Pastime Ace Hardware
10057 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA -
Sydney Ren
11:33 am on Saturday, October 16, 2010
I live around the area, and both my parents and I agree that it's made the park more enjoyable for the kids. We had no idea about the project and would have loved to help, but perhaps activities like this could be posted on the Patch in the future so we can all pitch in :)
Emilie Raguso
12:00 pm on Saturday, October 16, 2010
I'm happy to post any future activities!!! Sounds like there may be some fence painting.
rebecca
7:29 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
I cant believe any one would take IT ON THEMSELVES TO PAINT THE FENCE AND MAIL BOX. IT LOOKS LIKE A 3 year old kid did it. I am not happy with the why the park looks. Hope Albany fines who ever did it. THIS IS CRAZY IF ANY ONE THINKS IT LOOK NICE. !!! IT LOOKS LIKE A GHETT PARK TO ME.
Catherine (Kate) Rauch
8:05 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A what park? Ghett. What do you mean by that?
rebecca
8:09 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
O
Sarajane Forbes
9:10 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
I agree with Rebecca, it's a little over the top. I would be upset if I lived near there. Some people's ideas of what look "good" aren't always really "good". there should have been permission sought, and neighborhood polling for ideas of what would be "acceptable" to most. I guess there were only a few who were invloved in the "visioning". Interesting, since some that were involved are really big on that ("visioning" that is );)
Isn't the mailbox Federal Property??
....If it hasn't yet, that poor house next door will never sell now (down to $499,000!!! and no takers!?!)
JW
4:27 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
If Manqueros and others wanted to create something "vibrant," why didn't they decorate their own homes and yards with spilled paint and multicolored fences? I also wonder about the mailbox.
Bill Dann
9:32 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
This block of Dartmouth is one of the most vibrant in our little berg. Ride by on my bike to and from Bart. Kids everywhere. When the weather is warm the corner house on Talbot sets out chairs on the sidewalk and neighborhood folks often gather. (Marge Atkinson told me that's Ulan's houseRecently this block was closed for Albany Streets on a Saturday and they had a band and games up and down Dartmouth. (The chalk drawings were only washed away by last weekend rains.) The toys in the tot lot are for everyone to use -- not taken at home at night.
The owner of this property donated her little home to the City to make the tot lot. This is what Albany is all about; not the mcmansions around the corner on Cornell.
Peggy McQuaid
9:46 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
While the tot lot certainly looks cheery now, it should be remembered that there are procedures to be followed before deciding to paint, plant or generally change city property. Staff is always very willing to help enthusiastic citizens navigate through the appropriate steps.
Sarajane Forbes
9:47 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
You call it "vibrant" ,while others have have different words to describe that section.
Key Route is also closed off for "Albany Streets", Similar activities there. Those neighbors there seem to know how to put their stuff away when it's over, however.
rebecca
7:59 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
If Albany wants a nice park people should vote on it. Maybe some rubber is ok, so kid don't get hurt under some play swings or a slide. Plant some nice grass.even if its just a little. Make it look like a nice place to feel more like a nice garden with play things.but still make kids feel like there are in a nice green peaceful place to play.Easy on the eyes when people walk by. I am sure someone in Albany has some ideas with all the nice young fresh minds. Maybe they don't live in this neighborhood but please help this park !!! We need a change bad!!! Albany has to put out the money .A nice new fence .can be made cheap redwood posts and frame with nice wire ,to still be able to see out and not feel closed in and the kid cant wonder out to the street. feed back please!
Margaret McKnight
9:01 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Yes everyone should have a chance to weigh in on decisions regarding the park! Thank you so much for saying that Commissioner Pilch. Where was that sentiment at the last park and rec meeting when the park users tried to get a say in the new renovations and were shut down by all but one commissioner (Eddy So)? In the spring the commission voted to pave over most of the park in hot black rubber and ban toys, fundamentally changing its nature. Work on that change begins this week - June 6th - and many folks won't like the outcome and there is a good chance park use will fall meaningfully. I wish there was a way to stop and reconsider everyone's views, including those of park users. While we were told there was proper legal announcement ahead of the decision to pave the park, there was no posting in the park and the first park users (busy parents with small children)heard of it was after the decision was made. We tried to get the commission to hear us at the last meeting, to think about a new plan that is now available that meets everyone's needs, but it got stuck in procedural gridlock. We were told the commission couldn't incorporate our views because 'the decision was already made'. I wish the Commissioner could find a way to live by his recent statement and rethink what is happening to this park before it is too late.
rebecca
9:20 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Black rubber on the whole pack oh no!!! please don't do that to use .get raid of the cat box. but give the baby's a little grass, even if its not real. Who's decistion was that?
rebecca
9:22 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
decision
rebecca
9:26 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The commissioner who ever he is needs to get another job!