Redwood Heights Neighborhood News

by Denise Davila

A Path Runs Through It, Again.

Redwood Heights and Laurel residents wasted no time in reclaiming the footpath over the mound of earth along the landslide site on scenic Rettig Avenue. For nearly 10 years neighbors, families, dog walkers, and visitors have enjoyed tranquil strolls along Rettig Avenue. This narrow, wooded lane runs adjacent to the lush Peralta Creek corridor.

The landslide mound that has blocked the little road from automobiles has afforded the community a natural, vehicle-free respite along the creek since 1998. A footpath traversed the pile up until last year, before excavation work on the hillside began. Just a few weeks ago, however, earth had been removed from the roadway, and people created a new footpath.

"It's like old home week," a neighbor tells the Metro. "Everybody's back to walking the 'creek.' It's great to see so many people enjoying this little gem of wilderness in the neighborhood."

The "little gem" of vehicle-free wilderness has influenced recent homebuyers in the community, too. Real-estate agents now include Rettig Avenue on the list of selling points for the neighborhood.

"But what is going to happen after all of the earth is removed?" This question is on the mind of many neighbors, for good reason.

Before the landslide blocked Rettig Ave. to vehicles, the little creekside lane was strewn with broken liquor bottles, rubbish, and illegally dumped trash. It was a high-speed raceway for daredevil drivers, who on several occasions crashed into the creek. It was the convenient, drive-through location for other criminal activities, including drug deals and residential muggings.

One resident who remembers the old days says, "Frequently I would hear the sound of a crash in the morning, and we would dial 911."

Another long-time resident tells the Metro, "[The street] was used by people nobody wants in a neighborhood, such as drug dealers and petty thieves."

"It just wasn't safe," adds another neighbor. "I'd never let my kids walk though the 'creek.'"

With the memories of the "old days" emblazoned in their minds, Rettig Ave residents set to work in 2004. They collected and presented to the City of Oakland over 1,200 signatures from the community in support of keeping the creek road free of automobiles and clear for emergency vehicle access and evacuation.

If you haven't visited the "little gem of wilderness," plan your next stroll to Rettig Ave. It is accessible from Wisconsin St. and Jordan Road, just two blocks north of Avenue Terrace Park.

Creek To Bay Day

On Saturday, September 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, join neighbors and friends for two creek cleanup projects in Redwood Heights and Laurel:

● Peralta Creek Park at Wisconsin St. and Rettig Ave. Bring your gardening tools and help remove invasive plant species from the creek. Good conversation and refreshments are provided. For more information, call Denise, 531-3930.

● McCrea Park on Carson St. Help maintain and restore the natural beauty of McCrea Park and Lions Creek. For more information, contact Chris, chris\@burgardt.net.♦

Denise Davila can be reached at d2davila\@yahoo.com.