History of Dimond Park
The area where Dimond Park is now located has been used by local residents for centuries, prized for its natural resources and beauty. Below are some highlights of the park's historical journey.
Prior to the Spanish land grants of the 1800’s, Ohlone peoples (Huchiun and Jalquin/Irgin tribes) lived in this area and likely fished in Sausal Creek, gathered acorns, and hunted in what is now the City of Oakland’s Dimond Park.
In 1820, East Bay lands extending from San Leandro to El Cerrito were granted to Spaniard Luis Maria Peralta. He built a homestead on the flatlands between Peralta and Sausal Creeks. In 1842, Peralta gave his son Antonio (pictured, front right side) this tract of land.
In 1867, business man, real estate investor, and farmer Hugh Dimond (1830–1896) bought the land from the Peralta's. He built his home in what is now Dimond Park. The home burnt down, but a cottage Dimond's son built on the property, using adobe bricks from the original Peralta homestead, survived. The Dimond estate sold this land to the City of Oakland in 1917 for $24K.
The Boy Scouts starting camping in this area just one year after the Boy Scouts of America was officially organized in 1910. In 1924, the cottage built by Dimond's son became became the headquarters of Boy Scout Troop 10. There's a great history written on the historic plaque adjacent to the bell on the east side of the Scout Hut. Go here for more on the scouts in Dimond Park
Dimond Park was built with grant money from the Works Progress Administration in 1936. The layout of the park was designed then, including the large grassy fields, picnic areas, tennis courts, retaining walls, and locations for many of the large trees. For more on Works Progress Administration projects in the park, go here.
Lions Pool was built in 1929 as a gift from the Oakland Lion's Club to the children of Oakland. Costing $20K, it was city's first municipal pool. The site was previously a water tank-turned-pool built for the Boy Scout camp. The pool was renovated in 2019, including improvements for ADA accessibility.​ Go here for additional information on the opening of Lions Pool.
The Dimond Park Recreation Center was built in 1959. The dedication ceremony on Sept. 20 of that year included a diving exhibition. Today, the Rec Center hosts summer and holiday camps, after-school activities, and preschool classes. See additional images of its construction here.
