Oakland Lakeside Green Reconstruction

The Lake Merritt Green Streets project is a transformative 14-acre initiative designed to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access, calm traffic, expand parkland, and improve both the Snow Park area and water quality. As part of the City of Oakland’s Lake Merritt Master Plan, McGuire and Hester played a central role in bringing this vision to life, with a final contract value of $15.4 million.

Details

OWNER: City of Oakland

LOCATION: Lake Merritt, California

CONTRACT VALUE: $15.4 MM

Type of Project

Lake Merritt | Parks and Recs

Services We Provided

Desription

McGuire and Hester’s crews executed a broad scope of work, which included narrowing Lakeside Drive to improve pedestrian safety and creating a protected bike lane by removing one southbound lane between Madison and Harrison streets. This redesign expanded the parkland by 35,000 square feet and introduced 15 additional trees, enhancing the new tree-lined pedestrian promenade. The project also featured rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff, as well as planting drought-tolerant, native species to promote sustainability.

A major highlight of the project was the installation of a new play structure with safety surfacing at Snow Park. This feature, designed to provide a safe and enjoyable space for children, is a centerpiece of the park’s renovation. The improvements at Snow Park also included a new restroom, putting green renovations, and revitalized landscaping.

Infrastructure upgrades were comprehensive, involving road reconfiguration, a new intersection at Lakeside Drive and Harrison Street, upgraded traffic signals, ADA-compliant pathways and ramps, and improved lighting. The project also included new bicycle facilities, pedestrian pathways, and a decomposed granite running trail.