Redwood Heights Park Skate Ramp

Committed to Enhancing Neighborhood Green Spaces

Overview

The Redwood Heights Association (RHA) is sponsoring the development of a skate ramp at Redwood Heights Park.

The proposal is to construct a semi-permanent wooden ramp for skating. The project utilizes existing, underutilized open space within Redwood Heights Park without increasing the park’s overall physical footprint.

Location & Design

The skate ramp will be situated below neighboring houses on Young and Atlas and along the fire lane. This location ensures it is accessible and visible from the park entrance and the main roads of Aliso and 35th Avenues, while minimizing disruption. The ramp will be primarily wooden, designed to blend into the surrounding environment. Materials include wood, Skate Lite surfacing, and metal railings.

Allocated Funding

The project is made possible by a gift-in-place donation of $49,000 from the Redwood Heights community and the Association.

Vision & Community Goals

The RHA’s intention for the skate ramp project is to improve community life through recreation. The primary purpose of the project is to offer an engaging recreational facility that supports the City of Oakland’s values of community engagement and healthy living.

Intended Outcomes

• Increased Park Usage: The project aims to increase park use, particularly among young adults and families.
• Fostering Community: It will help foster a greater community of skaters in the area.
• Environment: The location, design, and site planning are intended to provide a convenient, functional environment.
• Neighborhood Asset: The RHA asserts that the proposed development will enhance the successful operation of the surrounding area by supporting its basic community functions or by providing an essential service to the community.

Commitment to Community Compatibility

The RHA is committed to ensuring the project is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, with careful consideration of noise and operational safety.

Operational Details

• Use: The facility is designed for individual skating (skateboard, bike, rollerblades, or scooter), with potential for structured events and education.
• Hours of Operation:  The proposed hours are 6 AM to 10 PM.
• Traffic:  Most users are likely to drive, walk, take the bus, or skate to the site. The anticipated number of vehicle or pedestrian trips to the site is between 1 and 100 per day.

Noise Mitigation

The skate ramp will be situated below neighboring houses on Young and Atlas and along the fire lane. This location ensures it is accessible and visible from the park entrance and the main roads of Aliso and 35th Avenues, while minimizing disruption. The ramp will be primarily wooden, designed to blend into the surrounding environment. Materials include wood, Skate Lite surfacing, and metal railings.

Maintenance and Safety

RHA established maintenance provisions:

• The Redwood Heights Association will conduct ramp maintenance.
• Site maintenance, including trash cleanup, will be performed by the City.
• A trash bin will be placed near the skate park for participants.

City Approval Process Overview

Because the skate ramp is considered a “conditional use” rather than a standard permitted use, the RHA must secure a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the City of Oakland Planning Division. CUPs require special consideration to determine whether a specific use is compatible with the neighborhood.

Steps in the CUP Process

• Application Submission: The RHA, acting as the applicant, has submitted the Basic Application for Development Review, checking the box for a Conditional Use Permit. The property owner is the City of Oakland.
• Required Findings: The City Planning Department will review the application against specific findings outlined in the Zoning Ordinance (Section 17.134.050). These findings require the RHA to demonstrate that the project is compatible, functional, an asset to the neighborhood, and conforms with the Oakland General Plan.
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Review: The RHA presented the project to the PRAC, an important step for park projects.
• On November 13, 2024, the PRAC reviewed the RHA’s request to support the gift-in-place donation and the construction contract, and to support the City of Oakland Planning Division’s approval of a minor conditional-use permit. The PRAC passed the motion to approve the request.
• Planning Division: The project is now subject to the Planning Division’s review to grant the Conditional Use Permit, allowing construction to proceed. We will be posting and sending out Public Notices to residents within 300’ of the project as part of the project progress. 

The RHA is committed to completing this process transparently and ensuring all city requirements are met to deliver this valuable community resource.

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