Location: Oakland, CA | Client: Friends of Sausal Creek and the National Parks Service | Project Date: January 2016 – January 2017

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Sausal Creek Walkable Watershed

Project Description

Situation

Sausal Creek flows through Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, a vibrant arts community and one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse places in Oakland, California. However, it offers limited opportunities for residents to enjoy the creek and other nearby open spaces. Residents once walked through the creek, caught fish and tadpoles, and picked fruit from creekside trees. Today, many people in the community wish for the same experience but often do not feel safe walking in their neighborhoods. In many places, the creek is also hard to find, obscured by fences, trash and vegetation.

Solution

With support from Skeo, the Friends of Sausal Creek and the National Parks Service launched the Sausal Creek Walkable Watershed process in January 2016. The Friends of Sausal Creek, Skeo and the National Park Service, hosted a series of bilingual community discussions with community leaders, residents and students to gather ideas and develop a concept plan to improve watershed and neighborhood health.

Outcome

The final Sausal Creek Walkable Watershed plan was released in 2017 and provides an opportunity to connect communities and watershed restoration from the headwaters to the Oakland Estuary, with a watershed revitalization vision based on the needs and benefits of the Fruitvale neighborhood. Opportunities to engage people in awareness and stewardship of the creek included signage and overlooks, art, greening and pedestrian connections and youth engagement. The plan provides a roadmap for the broad coalition of partners that will be needed to implement this watershed vision.