Transforming a vacant Caltrans lot into a welcoming garden and community space.

Idora Park Garden is a neighborhood-led effort to improve an unused Caltrans-owned lot along 56th Street between Telegraph Avenue and Carberry Avenue.

The goal is to create a greener, safer, and more welcoming space that improves the pedestrian entryway to the Temescal business corridor and benefits the surrounding community.

To ask questions, offer support, or request updates, email: IdoraParkGarden@gmail.com.

Community Kickoff Meeting & Concept Design Feedback: 10:00am, September 20, 2026, on 56th between Telegraph and Carberry.

Can’t attend in person? You can still share your feedback online. Scroll down to review the concept design.

Current Status (updated September 2026)

Location

The proposed garden site includes three Caltrans-owned parcels totaling more than 19,000 square feet along 56th Street, between Telegraph Avenue and Carberry Avenue.

Garden Concept

The current concept includes native planting, paths, seating, and small gathering areas to create a greener, more welcoming space for neighbors and visitors.

After reviewing the concept design shown here, you can share feedback online or at the 9/20/26 meeting.

Future additions, such as small murals, public art, or historical references to Idora Park, may be considered later depending on approvals, funding, and long-term maintenance needs.

Support the Project

Community support will help bring this garden to life. The organizing group welcomes funding, materials, services, skills, and volunteer time from neighbors, local businesses, and community partners.

As the project moves forward, support will be needed for planning, outreach, fundraising, site preparation, planting, maintenance, and other practical needs.

To ask questions, offer support, or request updates:

IdoraParkGarden@gmail.com

Idora Park History

Oakland Tribune diagram of Idora Park, 1910.

Idora Park, 1912. Oakland, California.

The surrounding neighborhood takes its name from Idora Park, the amusement park that operated in this area in the early 1900s. As the garden concept develops, there may be opportunities to reference that history through public art, small murals, or interpretive elements.

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