Dear Bette Page,

Thank you for taking the time to send in a see click fix regarding the donated bench in Jackson Park. Public Works has forwarded this work request to the Alameda Parks and Recreation Department. Should you wish to speak with someone direclty, please call (510) 747-7529.

Sincerely,

Public Works Supervisor
CIty of Alameda
(510) 747-7930

Thank you for your comments and interest in the Clark Memorial Bench. The Recreation and Park Commission discussed this issue at its April meeting and I will bring additional information to the Commission for review at its June 12 meeting at 7pm at City Hall. This includes detailed estimates from contractors who specialize in concrete work and a report on police activity at the park over the last 2 years. The bench was recently painted by the generous work of the Church of Latter Day Saints. This was a semi-permanent fix until a decision is made, to at least improve the current condition of the bench. It is not feasible to move this solid concrete bench that is approximately 16 feet by 6 feet but options include rehabilitating the bench and plaque or removing it and installing other benches and amenities that are appropriate for the location.

Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Park Director
awooldridge@alamedaca.gov

Yea Amy, lots of us were there - we know you are really looking for a good reason to destroy the bench.
Further investigation by AAPS showed that in fact "police activity" is not factor more than any other park.

A new neighbor owner doesn't want "kids" hanging around in HIS park, so he exaggerates stories.

How much has Alameda spent on projects to preserve stuff on the old Naval base?

Tearing it down and replacing with a few crappy benches is not preservation.

When is this going to be done? Money has been raised through private donations at save the bench.org

The Recreation and Park Commission voted to restore the bench and ARPD is providing $5,000 toward that effort. The Save the Bench campaign has raised almost $8,000. We have a goal of $15,000 to raise and the effort is almost there, thanks to many residents. Once the goal is reached, ARPD will then get the required three estimates and start the work.

what's being done to reach that goal?

Tucker's Ice Cream has generously created a flavor and the proceeds go toward the Save the Bench campaign. They are also still taking donations. Feel free to contact me at 747-7570 or awooldridge@alamedaca.gov if you would like to discuss if further

not fixed. don't close

I keep getting 'announcements" about how close they are. It would be nice to have real updates and see some action.

still nothing?

The Save the Bench campaign has approached a couple larger donors and we are waiting on responses. In addition, the best time to do this project would be in late spring/early summer so that the paint can set better in dry weather. Anyone who would like to donate may do so at www.savethebench.org

So supposedly all this moneyhas been collected through the online save the bench campaign (and no accounting ever published about that) and Tuckers ice cream. Yet Alameda's park and rec can't find the remaining funds to finally fix this after one year?

Funny how Alameda can find money to resuface sports fields, or restore and prop up old fighter jets, yet a monument dedicated to comapssion for animals is let to rot. One rich and politically connected person whose home faces the Park wants it gone so he doesn't have to look at teenagers congregating, and I suspect that is why nothing gets done.

The local fundraising effort has raised $6,341 to date. It is a private fundraising effort in which the funds are being held by the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society. It is up to them to provide any accounting for the funds.

The Alameda Recreation and Park Dept is funding an additional $5,000. We will be fixing the bench within the next few months. For a cement and paint type project, it is best to wait until warmer, drier weather. The paint and cement will dry faster and more consistently. Therefore, we have chosen to wait until late spring/early summer to renovate the bench so that we can ensure the job is done properly. The decision to fix the bench was formally approved by the Recreation and Park Commission after two well-attended meetings and good discussion. It will happen, we simply have been waiting for the funds to be raised as agreed upon by the Commission and community and for the appropriate weather to do this type of project.

Still nothing done. Guess that Park ave homeowner has a LOt of pull!

The Parks Department is currently soliciting estimates for renovation. As mentioned previously, we were waiting for the community fundraising and also to do this concrete & painting project after the rainy season, which did not materialize. We are on our projected schedule of renovating the bench in late spring.

stil waiting...

Still waiting for an action plan - with dates. 391 days.

451 days and nothing has been done. The web page has been taken down with no accounting for where the money donated went.

A significant amount of work was done. All of the cement flatwork has been completed. The next two steps are to complete the front inscription wall, repair and paint the bench, all of which should be done within the next month. We met with two neighbors who were active with the fundraising campaign to discuss specifics and get their feedback.

The web page is not related to the City, as was mentioned above on 2/26/15. It was managed by neighbors and the proceeds were given to the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society, a local nonprofit organization, who will then issue a check to the City for the work once it is complete.

Well they started. Now there is a fence around it. 511 days. Nothing is fast in Alameda I guess.

The fence is there since it is an active project that was started earlier this summer. All flatwork has been completed, the bench has been repaired and painted. The form shape for the short wall at the front, including the inscription has been identified. Several neighbors have been actively involved with City staff to approve the paint choice, wall placement, etc. It is challenging to find a concrete contractor willing to do the specialized concrete work for the front wall. It is a small job and per State law requires prevailing wage. We have contacted several contractors and all have said no to the job. We are continuing to actively look for a quality, specialized concrete contractor. If you have any suggestions, please have them email me at awooldridge@alamedaca.gov. Thank you.

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