High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

A Great Day at the Creek A record-breaking crowd gathered at Courtland Creek for the Great Green Sweep. Two years after its dedication, the park impressed the volunteers, who planted 15 trees, repaired a fence, cleaned up, and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze. Organizers from the High Street Neighborhood Alliance and High Hopes NCPC were delighted at the small number of garbage bags filled this year. Special thanks to the Fremont High Junior ROTC for their muscle power, enthusiasm, and intelligent work. A group of children from the Discovery Center proudly displayed the ceramic tiles they had created depicting insects and plants native to the creek. They also released hundreds of tadpoles, which they had raised from eggs, into the creek. The Discovery Center (just below Brookdale Park) is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Volunteers are needed to drive children on field trips. For information, call Rich at 535-5657. Green Yo-Yos, a Sting, and Budding TV Stars The final day of Oakland's Pedestrian Safety Week brought High Street a dose of both education and enforcement. Children at St. Lawrence O'Toole and Horace Mann schools were rewarded with bright green yo-yos for looking both ways and crossing streets near their schools safely. Later in the day, a plain-clothes sergeant walked into the crosswalk at Santa Rita and High Street, braving rush-hour traffic. A nearby squad car stopped drivers who failed to yield to pedestrians and issued warnings or tickets. As the evening wind came up, the community strolled up and down High Street. The walkers included Buster the safety dog and his owner, Councilmember Nate Miley, Chair of the Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project. Al Scoggins pushed his grandchild in a stroller. Neighbors in their yards came out and joined the group. Across the street, a banner asked the cars to "SLOW DOWN." Finally, coverage on the 11 O'clock News brought a taste of fame. High Hopes NCPC: Priority Projects Get in Gear Project leaders reported back to the High Hopes NCPC on the April workshop and the first steps taken to address the three priority target areas: 48th Avenue, Kingsland and Ygnacio, and the 2300 block of High Street. Members also met privately with police and city staff or joined the project groups. The next NCPC meeting will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 15, at Horace Mann School. Melrose Library Move The library is expected to close about mid-June to prepare for the move, and to reopen at 5420 Bancroft during the latter part of July.