Oakland Zoo’s PR campaign is faltering, still can save Knowland Park

By Karen Smith, Oakland Tribune My Word © 2014 Bay Area News Group

A recent news report about the successful move to preserve 362 acres of natural parkland in the East Bay hills could almost have been about Knowland Park.

The land is described as a collection of steep hillsides spilling down from the ridgeline, with a mix of bays, oaks and native grasses, streams, and abundant wildlife–mountain lions, coyote, deer, hawks, snakes and other creatures–taking advantage of the open-space corridor, along with 360-degree ridgetop views for human visitors.

But it is not in Oakland; it’s in Richmond. Continue Reading →

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A Zoo Board Meeting and the Definition of “Theme Park”

Zoo Board Meeting

We are continuing our activism on behalf of beloved Knowland Park. Last month, a delegation of Park supporters attended the zoo’s board meeting, where Laura Baker of CNPS read the following in a 10-minute public comment period (extended from the original 3 minutes the board allowed): Continue Reading →

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ACTION DAY REQUEST: JOIN OUR PICKET LINE!

Eu7R-Z4kzQ-v4CwwxOQ7vgr3_KkaUolZ2SBQN--HX7oJoin our picket line THIS SATURDAY, Feb 15, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM!

We’re asking for volunteers to take part in peaceful actions aimed at raising public awareness of Knowland Park and the zoo’s disastrous plans for its development. Tentatively, we are planning to continue these pickets through February on Saturdays, but we have a lot of irons in the fire right now so we will confirm in advance as we see how those other things develop.

Continue Reading →

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WHAT A TURNOUT for the Save Knowland Park Rally on Sunday!!!

A supporter of Knowland Park and it's wildlife

A supporter of Knowland Park and its wildlife

Thanks to ALL who worked so hard to make it happen – donating materials, making signs, contributing speeches or music, leading cheers, waving signs, running our “shuttle,” sharing the information with others and turning out for a fun afternoon. It was truly inspiring to see people just keep coming and coming and coming as the crowd grew. Continue Reading →

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Drilling and Habitat Destruction Cover-up – Rally Against Expansion, Sun. Jan. 5!

Drilling2After we reported last week about the zoo’s contractors drilling holes and damaging sensitive wildlife and plant habitat prior to receiving  permits from the state and federal wildlife regulatory agencies, an alert Park supporter Friday  found the zoo’s contracted biologist and a small crew with rakes trying to cover over the tire tracks, remove concrete from the holes, and cover them with imported dirt. When we arrived on the scene to video, the first worker said they were covering tire tracks, the second one said they were “pulling French Broom” which was ridiculous since a) they had no pulling wrenches, only rakes, and b) there was almost no broom visible, since our Knowland Park Coalition work crews have already pulled most of it out. Continue Reading →

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