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Middle Harbor, Shoreline Park Oakland
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The park was surrounded by the Port of Oakland Marine Terminals. Access was
along 7th Street (at the intersection) then a short way out Middle Harbor
road to the entrance. The park was newly opened in 2004. Note the total lack
of a sidewalk on the park side of the road.
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Entry to the park is a drive past a bit of nautical art and
access to vast parking lots. The signs read:
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A sign inside the park states that the driveway entry gate
is closed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Note that the
park graciously allows walk in access when the park is open.
Unfortunately the park is
almost a mile away for the nearest houses.
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The park was built on land formerly occupied by the
Oakland Naval Supply Depot. A printed guide near the entrance
explained how building 122 (left photo) dominated the location before
it became a park. A huge warehouse that was one of the
primary storage and supply facilities for the Navy's Pacific Fleet.
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That large warehouse that dominated the site, was remembered
by the zig-zag seating that outlined the former edge of building
122.
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The interior of building 122 had become a grassy field upon with folks
could play ball. Note that the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge could
be seen just beyond the park.
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In the interior of the park was a non-running fountain decorated
with stone art. Ceramic art squares produced by school children were
at the left. This oasis was surrounded by few benches.
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Barbecues were available for use along with picnic tables.
They were arranged in a long row under a saw-tooth roof.
The saw-tooth roof was in the same location and at the height
as the original roof of building 122.
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From the parking lots, a path ran down the center of the park
leading to a vast viewing area. Across the bay from this park
was San Francisco.
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Middle Harbor itself as it looked during low tide. Note the buoys
appear to set aside a swimming area, but signs were also present that
prohibited swimming.
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The former rail line that serviced building 122 and the other buildings
that used to occupy this area. This wide plaza was part of the Bay Trail and
led at its far end, left around to Port View park
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Three binocular telescopes were available in the viewing area.
Two tall ones for use by people standing and one lower one on an offset
arm for children and people in wheelchairs.
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Near the southern end stood the Observation Tower. It was available to view
the workings of the Port of Oakland, or to view the wildlife in the wetlands
below it. The Observation Tower was about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) away from the viewing area where
this picture was taken.
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One the shore near the beach was a statue of a seal.
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This park was a good place to fly kites because of the reliable
on-shore breeze from the Pacific Ocean.
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A girl, as part of exercise, ran across the Observation Tower.
The tower was accessible using stairs, but lacked an elevator so
barred access to the elderly and disabled.
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A telephoto view from the park of the Bay Bridge in the far distance,
shipping containers in the near distance, and masses of birds in the
foreground.
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One reason to stay out of the mud in Middle Harbor was the trash there.
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Two signs outlined the rules for use of the beach.
The signs read:
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A line of palm trees parallel the beach. Seating and picnic tables
were scattered between the trees.
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A bench between two berms had a clear view that afternoon of
Middle Harbor, the Coast Range across the bay, and of kites flown.
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The back side of the line of palms. A walkway with the occasional
picnic table. Note the sea gulls and cranes.
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Bollards were lined up down the center of the main path into
and out of the park. They were purely decorative because
no big ship could possibly tie up here.
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The restrooms appeared clean and new, but were closed on weekends.
Beware that the closest "open" restrooms were a half mile away in
Port View Park (but they were closed that weekend too). Shouldn't restrooms
be open when people are most likely to visit?
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A curved seating area lay just off the central pathway parallel to the beach
and parallel to the line of palms.
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Overview of the park shot from its south east corner.
The beach was to the left. The saw-tooth roof was at the far end.
Unseen beyond the path at the left was building 122 (now a grassy ball park).
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On a few of the garbage cans nearest the parking lot were signs that
read:
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There was a bus stop for the AC Transit 13 bus line at the park.
But AC Transit recently discontinued the 13 line. The stop is still there,
but a bus will never arrive. That means the only way to access this park is
by automobile and possibly by bicycle from West Oakland BART, about a 1.5 mile ride
along an industrial section of 7th Street that runs under freeways and railroad tracks.
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