Mosswood Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mosswood Park |
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Mosswood Park in North Oakland, California
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | 3612 Webster Street, Oakland, California, USA |
| Area | 4-acre (16,000 m2) |
| Created | 1907 |
| Operated by | Oakland Department of Parks and Recreation |
Mosswood Park is a fun public park in Oakland, California. It covers about 4 acres, which is like four football fields! This park is managed by the City of Oakland's Department of Parks and Recreation. It's a great spot for people of all ages to relax and play.
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Explore Mosswood Park
Fun Activities at the Park
Mosswood Park has many cool things to do. You can enjoy the large grassy areas, perfect for playing games or having a picnic. There are also special play areas just for kids, where they can climb and slide.
If you love sports, you're in luck! The park has courts for tennis and basketball. There are also baseball fields where you can practice your swings or play a game. Plus, there are special areas for dogs to run around and play safely.
Learning and After-School Programs
Mosswood Park isn't just for playing; it's also a place to learn! The park has a community recreation center. This center offers helpful after-school programs for students from kindergarten to seventh grade. These programs include tutoring to help with homework and many other interesting classes.
The Story of Mosswood Park
From Mansion to Park
Mosswood Park has a long and interesting history. It used to be the private estate of a man named J. Mora Moss. In 1864, he built a beautiful mansion there. It was designed in a style called Carpenter Gothic, which means it had lots of fancy wooden details.
Later, J. Mora Moss married Julia Wood. He decided to combine their last names to give his estate a special name: Mosswood. The old mansion is still standing today. It's considered an important Oakland Heritage Landmark. Even though it's now used for offices and storage by the Parks and Recreation Department, it reminds us of the park's past.
How the Park Grew
The city of Oakland bought part of J. Mora Moss's estate in 1907. They wanted to turn it into a public park for everyone to enjoy. Over the years, the park grew even bigger. Two outdoor theaters, called amphitheaters, and a pretty decorative archway, known as a pergola, were added.
In the 1950s, one of the amphitheaters was very popular. A group called the Mosswood Children's Theatre Teen Troupe would put on children's plays there every week. However, this amphitheater was taken down in the 1960s. This happened when a big highway, Interstate 580, was built. An on-ramp for the highway went right through that part of the park.
The Mosswood Neighborhood
The area around Mosswood Park is also known as the Mosswood neighborhood. This neighborhood has clear boundaries. To the west, it's bordered by the Grove Shafter Freeway. Broadway Street is to the east, and 40th Street is to the north. The MacArthur Freeway forms its southern edge. MacArthur Boulevard runs right through the middle of the Mosswood neighborhood.
Mosswood Park in Pop Culture
Did you know Mosswood Park was even featured in a video game? The park's basketball courts were used as a location in the game NBA Street Vol. 2.
