Walk into another world Joaquin Miller Parks iconic redwood forest is being revived

Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland is experiencing a revival, thanks to dedicated volunteers and a significant $408,000 grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dale Risden, the chair of Friends of Joaquin Miller Park, stresses the importance of community involvement in addressing the park's ecological challenges. Once suffering from neglect, the park has undergone restoration efforts that have doubled the coverage of native vegetation in the last decade. Local volunteers have created and maintained trails, removed invasive species, and worked to propagate native plants. Risden believes that with Oakland's limited government resources, it falls on community members to take action.

The partnership with Friends of Sausal Creek and other organizations has been crucial for the park's restoration. This collaborative effort reflects a growing recognition of the importance of local environmental stewardship. As a result, Joaquin Miller Park is slowly regaining its natural beauty and ecological integrity.