1 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
Lake Merritt Parking Community Engagement Survey (Responses)
Oakland Impact Center surveyed 2,400 people at Lake Merritt over the course of the following dates: 4/23/2022, 4/24/2022, 4/30/2022, 5/1/2022, 5/6/2022, 5/7/2022, and 5/8/2022
2 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
General unedited comments from survey participants
How can the City see these actions as fair, how did they reach this decision. Why is Oakland using San Francisco tactics. What message does the City believe this proposal gives to residents and lake goers. Is it too late to make changes to this approach?
It taxes those who already feel marginalized without clear direction we know the history of the City and those in power never follow through on the promises made to the people. Keep the parking free and finds ways to generate money that can benefit the marginalized individuals. Put meters in the hills and more affluent communities and let those taxes go towards programs and services that help folks to become self-sufficient.
We need to stop this it's another attack on the people. I'm sure other larger cities have figured out other ways to keep people from paying. It's unfair and sends a strong statement against keep the lake accessible for all.
This is an attack on Black's in particular
This process should help to manage parking and allow others to enjoy the Lake keeping a flow of on the amount of time that's spent in one location.
Why is the City forcing parking meters as a response to parking. This will not decrease parking or deal with traffic it will only cost people and the funds will not appropriately go where they should.
Wants more information.
What city's did they develop thier research on wherever this model came from its not a good fit for Oakland.
There's something unsettling about the license plate readers seems a bit extreme to provide parking tickets.
Why are none of the plans considering poor and struggling people who need free places to go.
It taxes those who already feel marginalized without clear direction we know the history of the City and those in power never follow through on the promises made to the people. Keep the parking free and finds ways to generate money that can benefit the marginalized individuals. Put meters in the hills and more affluent communities and let those taxes go towards programs and services tha t help folks to become self-sufficient.
I might actually find a spot to park at
I have a lot of questions about who created this materials seems to come from a perspective of someone that already agrees that this is a good idea. The City needs to find innovative ways to generate funds the Lake by itself has a number of issues generating fund providers for services and programs that are never in the budget. What is the process for community feedback and suggestions in this process? How long before it comes into play? How much money will it cost the City to enforce this new parking meter? They are continuing to send a clear message they don't want us here. We must organize against this and make sure it doesn't happen.
It's been past time for something of this nature because they have the ability to control the rates they should range on the lower end. Yes residents should have to pay as well. I hope the potential programs get funding from this.
We need to stop this it's another attack on the people. I'm sure other larger cities have figured out other ways to keep people from paying. It's unfair and sends a strong statement against keep the lake accessible for all.
A waist of time and money.
This is a reflection of Gentrification and showing that the city is interested in keeping certain types of individuals available and accessible this is an attack on black people in general 3 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
This information is great but I can't see why this is a good idea. How can they truly believe this is a good thing.
I'm trying to figure out how this is a good plan given the fact that so many efforts have gone into dealing with traffic and and controlling save safety matters when it comes comes to the amount of people at the lake this is not a good idea resources should be put into having do you have any individuals People to interact with the the crowds with with the issues of unsafe driving if driving and all matters matters related to residents real concerns.
Who does this really benefit? can we impact the rollout? What are the dates this will take effect? We have followed this since the beginning. We believe it's a great idea and can have so many benefits.
I only know about now because a friend of mines got the handout at the lake last week and we did some research on this and we came away thinking it could be some good that comes out of this only if the city does it the way it is explained on the handout. We worry thing will change by the time it actually rolls out.
We don't see how this will really make anything better.
The fact that we didn't know about this is scary. We feel like soon we won't even be welcomed at this lake where we grew up. So many things changing and we feel powerless.
We need more information and to do our own research on who is behind this before we can feel comfortable in our assessment of what we think.
They should use existing Postal tax funds to address any kind of development our strategies around dealing with parking enforcement of traffic and safety.
It continues to show the disconnect between community and government agencies we must figure a way to have discussions allowing community input to guide the process exposing wherexposing where potential funds already exist within the general fund.
Not trying to pay to be at one of the few attractions in Oakland The city of Oakland always pulling stunts, is this gentrification at its finest none of us will have no where to park as it is and now we have to pay to be at the lake not cool The city should create parking just for the lake
It's not right and it sounds like an attack on the people The people effected my the meters should have been apart of the decision making or at least able to contribute to the design
Another form of gentrification. Because we haven't heard about this and we come here all the time since we were kids and we shouldn't have to limit our time here. It's a form of government control why this area? Why now? How will this benefit?
Why should residents have to pay
There are better ways to generate funds than a parking meter that sounds like it runs whenever the city wants it to.
Bad timing not enough community engagement sounds rushed this will definitely have more of an negative impact than a positive
There trying to make it impossible for people to gather. This is unfair and will not solve parking problems this will force more levels of enforcement at a much higher cost Those who disagree feel this is an another form of policy that attacks black and brown.
The problem is its designed to exploit the right to access the lake by charging more when it's more people out.
Those who we neutral they wanted more info about the plate readers apps and if there's a governing body for the funds to be disbursed?
This doesn't solve any traffic concerns without regulation and implementation people will not move their cars. Parking is not the main concern is doesn't nothing to address safety, litter and unsafe driving. I can't 4 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
cross the street safely so how does parking meters address that.
Everything morning it's trash all along Lakeshore how will meters address this? Why does this force people into time control according to the meters and fee. This is unacceptable and oppressive in nature.
Good planning to generate funds for programs and services that make that Lake more accessible for all.
Why weren't we informed before so we could have gotten involved and had a say so? Another way to push us out and take everything fun to do in the city.
I was asked if the guy who runs the Department of transportation was from Manhattan a resident brought it. To my attention that the guy was big wig when it comes to meters on the east coast I told them that was news to me
You believe that this is a waste of time and attack on black people they could build a parking structure but no paying just to hang out, people would get tickets.
It’s hard enough to find parking out here, they need to put more restrooms out here Why is our city officials always trying to find a way to keep oaklanders broke They should find another park or marina to visit
What’s next they’re going to charge us use the trash cans next Not in support of
The City is not thinking about poor people the meters are not fair and any money generated will get lost in the City. The enforcement of tickets and fines will end up costing more in the long run. Where are these kinds of suggestions coming fro. It's definitely not Oaklandish to put meters in this area of the lake. Not a good idea.
This is not a good idea for the people it doesn't make sense. The money programs and services are not the motivating factor this is about control. This lake belongs to Oakland and we must preserve the key elements that truly make Oakland OAKLAND. I live on Hanover and parking is a problem regardless so I park where I can and sometimes that's in the proposed area for the meters. I should have the right to park where I live without paying.
Not a good idea. Make me feel rushed or like someone has the ability to set how long I enjoy the Lake.
This is frustrating and irresponsible planning t because the impact is targeted at us black and brown the marginalized.
This well written proposal should have been a mailer so that residents,merchants and regular attendees at the Lake had the opportunity to voice our concerns. Some 9f us are waiting on a process that organically involves the people. We deserve to provide imput on all matters that will impact us. Shame on the City for thinking this a good idea this is a push out knowing that people are not for it and will mush rather see inclusive processes that show care and concern for Black Oakland.
This ain't right. It's not apart of the history of the Lake and is not a native proposal. Home-grown Oaklanders at least half way think about the people. My council woman should not be in support of this an Fife will here from us. What right do they have to propose this nonsense it doesn't benefit anyone that enjoys this space. This is not an amusement park why is the City charging for this attraction? Sounds greedy to me to impose parking It's always been free. If they focused on supporting the vendors and getting everyone up to par they'll generate more fund and keep money flow among black households.
People are losing more and more freedoms and authentic traditions that define Oakland this represent that type of metropolitan change.
When has this side of the lake ever had meters? Why now? Intention and outcome are always different than projected.
Not a good idea .
5 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
Any amount is unacceptable there should be not parking meters at the Lake period. Too m7ch regulation of one of the few places Oakland has to offer to families that's free. We should enjoy this area without being charged which determines how long we can be here. Put these meters in piedmont and use the revenues to support all the Entrepreneurs that are trying to feed their family. Why are the people just getting this information especially as a resident impacted by this proposal. We are going to raise hell to stop this
I'm not in support of this at all I park on Lakeshore all the time multiple time throughout the week. This is ridiculous and unnecessary. Clearly they are not thinking about regular people.
This is not San Francisco. Oakland has a history of abandoning its core elements that represents the culture of Oakland. For generations we've never had to pay for parking here.
This must be stopped. They have brilliant people working in the City but this is not a good idea. The message is clearly pushing people out. He another insensitive attack on poor people of color. This is uncalled for that's part of the reason we been coming here for years.
This doesn't deal with the issue of parking as people will accumulate tickets and charges but never move this is another lazy attempt to not deal with the number of issues here. I live and work in this area and would have a huge impact on my ability to function everything is already over priced and unaffordable.
The neutral stated only if the funds support the encampment and unhoused community that's being ignored then I would pay to help someone else.
The disagree believe that the funds that atr generated would ever get to those who it's raised for. I have no faith that this benefits no one.
Residents concerned about how they will be affected if they don’t have off street parking Not a good look for Lakeshore. If this is not already a go it should be stopped. This is a racist attack on poor people. Why can't they come up with good ideas that benefit those trying to improve their business and families. We can't allow this to happen.
Longtime resident feared this would take away from city’s culture Don’t do it
This is unfair and should not happen. The fact that it's been done quietly tells me that its about kicking people out of the lake and making this like SF. I'm from Hunterspoint I come here every weekend with my kids and friends and I'm against parking meters anywhere on Lakeshore altogether.
Everyone strongly disagreed with proposal and also voiced concern with car burglaries/vandalism in the area as well
Already too many attacks on Blacks in Oakland this is our City and I'm not in support of this proposal.
Why now? The City is greedy! This is a form of track and herding people.
No suggestions just not a good idea.
This a blatant and aggressive approach to depopulating the Lake people from all backgrounds chill and enjoy this space. Don't take away the beauty of the Lake by changing and charging. Is this a last minute Libby bad idea as she's on her way out? Why are the citizens and residents being forced to pay to spend time at the Lake what gives them the right to push this on the people. Do they honestly believe that we think this is beneficial to the City and not its people. We would have this info or our voices heard if y'all wasn't bringing it to us. Somebody from. The City should have been out here making it a t rue proposal that includes the thoughts of the people who this is projected at.
We park over here and support the vendors and chill with the family why are we being forced to pay or leave. What are the alternatives to this parking proposal? Why haven't they put multiple options on the table that generates funds and not be limited to just this option? It's greedy to push parking on Lakeshore. We can only assume that the more people are out here the higher the rates will be. This stinks not a smart thing to do. Who will this ultimately benefit? This definitely feels restrictive on free space. They should survey residents and merchants and people that come here all the time to see how will folks are for other forms of taxing that has the potential to build more funds 6 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
than this metering system being proposed. When is the City going to use the greatness of its own citizens to put forth ideas that can include items that we can build consensus on? I don't support the meters and City Council will here about this.
Why were we not made aware of this before
How can we impact this moving forward. Who can we talk to directly about this? We have questions before we feel comfortable making a judgement on this.
If this can really help then I'm all for it but I don't really trust the city to do what it says it will do.
We've followed this from the beginning and thinks it's a great idea especially with the funding it can produce to help other parks and give everyone equal access at the lake.
This is just the city of Oakland doing something that wont benefit the original people from Oakland and it's another money grab.
Why are they charging us
How long before they’ll enforce the meters
You mean to tell me that the lake isn’t going to be free to come to anymore I hope they use the money to install restrooms
As a resident I just might be able to find a park on the weekend but that means I’ll be paying also typical Oakland
Depending on how long I’m at the lake I won’t worry but if the fees are to high I’ll no longer visit the lake Not sure what to say but I don’t think folks will agree on it will there be a Town hall meeting for this discussion
Oakland should be ashamed is the mayor pushing this agendas I Don’t like the idea of being charged to go to a public park I mean the view at he lake is beautiful but I don’t think I’ll pay to see it
Not sure if that’s going to work
How much would they actually be charging to be here
I’m sure in Just a matter of time before we need a permit to sit on the grass at the lake Wow
I agree that something need to be done to address the intense parking issue This is more evidence that we are not wanted here. It's a greedy form of control.
Is this another way for the city to try to stop black and brown people from coming to the lake? We don't trust the city and the process to benefit most people.
It seem the city always does these kind of things and tells the community after its already done.
Love the idea about putting funding towards other part but we have no trust in city officials to do what they say they will do.
Can we join the next meeting about this decision? How?
This wont work. It may benefit some people but it wont benefit most.
How can we be sure about where the funding goes?
I'm a lake neighbor and I think this will benefit everyone. 7 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
Why are we just getting informed of this. We don't trust the city.
Who is going to control the meters and the pricing? This seems like another money grab.
This could be good but only if they do everything exactly as they say they will. Its hard to believe they will do that because of the history of the city.
I've lived by the lake for 10 years and we need some solutions. I really hope this works.
I am a long-time Oakland resident who is born and raised in the Bay Area, a proud product of Peralta Colleges, and former employee of OUSD. I also worked for 5 years at the American Indian Child Resource Center in Oakland, which is located right on the lake at Grand and Euclid. I am currently a PhD student at UC Berkeley in the History department. I walk the lake everyday and spend time hanging out at the lake just about every weekend. To put meters around the lakeshore side of the lake would be a direct act against working class people like myself who would be unable to continue to enjoy our beautiful lake if it meant paying every time that I wanted to walk or hang out there. Thus, I am strongly opposed to meters being put up at the lake and take it as a direct slap in the face to me and the community that I represent. A community who has suffered enough from the impact of "development" and gentrification and who feel squeezed out of the city that we love at every turn. This is only one small way in which the leadership of this community can show that they have any desire to put people over profit, a gesture that seems to be happening less and less every year.
We are so tired of the city doing things like this with community input. How are we suppose to trust a process that we get left out of?
We feel like parking has gotten much better. We don't feel like this is needed at all.
Need more information about who is behind this decision and project? License plate reader's that will automatically generate tickets, fees that are at a higher rate when more people are present. If a car pulls over to take a call a pull off shortly after pulling over it that person assessed a ticket even though the parking was only for a few moments? How does meters enforcement parking or safety or deal with all the unsafe driving?
The City needs to do something to manage the flow of people and put order to the madness and hazardous driving that show up here daily. They should be metered parking around the entire Lake to include Lakeshore Avenue
Need more info
I’m not from Oakland but I do understand why they would charge to be out here If it improves the lake features more accessible bathrooms im for it if it’s just another money grab Either is has a say in it
I believe in the City's ability to generate funds that should be used to support programs as mentioned in the document.
It seems wildly unfair to essentially charge residents to use the lake. This is inequitable and anti - community
The area should be accessible for residents!
Residents should NOT have to pay for parking at a public park I don’t think it’s needed and if we have to download a app for it who keeps the data I’m all for it maybe people won’t park in the middle of the streets if they’re going to enforce parking Don’t do it! The lake is for the people! Keep it real!
Parking meters by the lake will diswade low income people from coming to the lake.
This is currently a place where everyone has a welcome. If there are parking meters by the lake less low income people will feel welcome here. That is messed up! 8 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
Parking as it is in area is a hassle
The parking meters are the latest in the concerted attempts to move people who have been using this community space out and further gentrify the lake. At this time, when public spaces are few and far between, we should be doubling down on making these spaces accessible to everyone. There is no reason to institute these parking meters. They do not make people safer, and there are plenty of other ways to raise revenue in the City of Oakland. Car break ins will happen regardless of whether there are parking meters and parking enforcement. The people of Oakland have already given up so much, we need everyone to rally behind not taking away one of the remaining spaces for people of all income levels and cultures to meet and come together. I strongly oppose this move as a resident of Oakland.
If the funds are going to city parks and improvements I’m for it As a resident it might keep the streets clear for my visitors Not really against it just don’t understand why now
It’s needed
Not cool I’ve been in Oakland for all my life I’ve never heard of this and don’t understand the reasoning behind it
Who will it actually benefit life’s already hard enough so now I have to pay to meditate at the lake! We lost trust for the city a long tome ago.
This will help everyone and create funding for other much needed projects.
I’m curious to know will this be a agenda to vote on
I workout here me and my wife we try to avoid the gyms can’t really afford another bill so we come here I might continue to come based on lake fees
Not in support of any form of oppressive tactics and this is gentrification and racist. They ate proposing to place them exactly where all the black are. The City is not using those who are brilliant enough to find other ways to implement parcels taxes or use funds from general purpose funds or solicit private foundation funds to support the programs and services listed in the document. We have no evidence that the City will appropriately allocate the funds what we have seen is them misappropriate funds or flat out lie about how the funds should be used and or are located.
This is all about money.
Why does this city always do this? Makes these huge changes without the community involved.
What city official are doing this? Is there another meeting coming up about this that we could attend and voice our opinion?
We believe if people would actually know what this is about, they would really be supportive. We also know the people who are putting this together and we really trust their leadership.
Maybe the parking meter can help with reporting and dealing with all the stolen cats that at abandoned here all the time. I've called and reported the cars at in most cases it takes the City at least 3 weeks or more to remove them. Maybe this plate reader will help notify law enforcement of the stolen and abandoned vehicles along Lakeshore.
I'm from Santa Rosa I come here often with friends and park along Lakeshore mostly I don't agree with this proposal at all.
The meters are not the answer to the parking situation having some community body that's not law enforcement to assist with managing people and building agreements that make sense for the safety of everyone.
Meters can't communicate with the people that's what's needed more than pushing people out or creating fees that reduce the amount of time people spend.
9 Attachment B: Lake Merritt Parking Management Plan May 17, 2022
We walk the lake a few times a week and park on Lakeshore all the time for the free parking it is not the business side of the lake more residential and open space why take that from people vote no on the proposed parking meters.
If funds are raised then services can support the many concerns at the Lake.
Those funds will never get to the services they will become lost in the belly of the beast...
The Lake should have received funds from reimagining public safety task force being that the lake has so many issues being such a public attraction.
Yes the city has a responsibility to allocate funds from other sources that don't include taxing the people.
This proposal is disrespectful and is not the answer to resolving parking, dealing with safety for pedestrians, who benefits from this ? I sure know who suffers behind it us blacks. As a father of four I'm looking for something to do that don't cost. What about inflation and outrageous cost of living? Why are those factors not included in this proposal?
It's a big no on this proposal to put parking meters that are connected solely to ATM cards or banking institutions is simply discrimination and against the law Parking meters are not the answer to managing traffic and sideshow activity unsafe driving and the gathering of people. Please rethink this plan and include community input because is affects us.
Why are we being targeted for gathering and accessing public space. The City should ad an additional tax for all the high rise buildings that are popping up all over the place tax all the former sf residents moving downtown tax all those who can afford it.
This is public space one of the few neutral places that we can bring our kids that we don't have to worry about something happening. Although people have been killed here those are isolated incidents that don't reflect how peaceful this are is.
That lake is beautiful adding parking meters to Lakeshore will make it ugly for some people.
I live over here and already struggling paying rent this proposal is thoughtless damaging the trust and confidence in the City.
If it happens I wouldn’t be surprised
Say if we don’t move what’s the penalty
This is a great plan. It will help with a lot of the stolen cars that are abandoned around her and it will make people share the parking which will allow more people to visit our beautiful lake, Thats how it supposed to be.
On paper everything the city plans looks good but once it's actually put into effect it doesn't look like the original plan. seems like another money scheme by the city.
Don’t understand why now if they’d did it in the 80’s I wouldn’t be opposed to it If the funds goes to inner city youth sports then I say yes my son would love to play sports for a team but fees are to high and Covid didn’t make it no better if have to pay let it go to the right place I have to park a distance from the lake so if that means when the time is up we relocate for others to park, or I’ll just go home I mean how much time do we actually have to spend at the lake before enough is enough
Gentrification comes with parking meter’s anything you to keep folks away from the lake or a way for the city to benefit from us being at the lake with the parking meters