Latest News
2026
Meet New FODP Chair Leslie Barron-Johnson
February 2026
Leslie first visited Dimond Park over 30 years ago, taking her then-toddler son Dash to play there. Fast forward to 2026, and now she is the newly elected chair of the Friends of Dimond Park. It’s been quite the journey.
She was born in Oakland, and moved back here after growing up in Castro Valley and spending 20 years in San Leandro, settling with her family (including husband Brett who is also an FODP board member) in the Glenview neighborhood.
After retiring from full-time work in 2021, she rediscovered the park during walks through the neighborhood and along Sausal Creek.
That’s when she joined the Qigong group that practices there (daily at 8:30 a.m., all welcome!) and fell in love with the park.
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"I really enjoy practicing Qigong in the park — the beauty of the trees really enhances the experience,” Leslie explains. “However, litter in the park was a distraction, so I started picking up trash myself and soon after joined FODP’s Saturday work parties.
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”Volunteering and community service is in her blood, spending her career with non-profit organizations such as Planned Parenthood and La Clinic de La Raza, and donating her time to various groups over the years.
“Volunteers fill the gaps that non-profits and government agencies can’t always meet — whether that be staffing, doing projects, or supporting the organization,” said Leslie. “They also bring a community perspective and lend their expertise and lived experience to the organizations where they volunteer, which is invaluable.”
Leslie joined the FODP board in 2022, and after former Chair Opie Bellesis retired late last year, she was selected by fellow FODP colleagues to take over the reigns. Her goals for the group include expanding the number of volunteers, increasing donations, putting in more native plants, and adding another litter pick-up day, among other projects.
“I love being a part of Friends of Dimond Park, and serving as chair provides an opportunity to leverage my leadership and organizational skills more fully,” says Leslie. “This park is so beloved and used by so many in our community. I’m committed to maintaining and improving the treasure that we have.”
The 'Flip' Side of Park Picnic Tables
January 2026
Be it meetings, BBQ’s, picnics, or just hanging out, Dimond Park’s picnic tables are heavily used by park visitors. But the years have taken a toll, with warping, graffiti, gouges, weathering, and other damage. But there’s only so much painting one can do to cover up the issues (which we have done numerous times in the past!).
Intrepid FODP volunteers, led by Richard Park, realized most of the undersides of the tables were in pretty good shape, so how about flipping the boards? It was a great idea that took many hours of painstaking work, but the results, as you can see in the before-and-after photos above, were worth it. Thank you so much for your efforts!
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In Memoriam: Susannah Sandow-Carlsen
January 2026
It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Friends of Dimond Park Board Secretary Susannah Sandow Carlsen, who passed away on December 23.
Even though her tenure with us was relatively short, we were all touched by her warmth, kindness, and the joy she conveyed. Like all of us, she loved the beauty of Dimond Park and wanted to contribute her time to make it an even better place for our community.
Our hearts go out to Susannah's friends and family.
2025
Grant Nakamura Helps Keep FODP Sharp
October 2025
My name is Grant Nakamura and I’m a regular with the Qi gong group in beautiful Dimond Park. We often practice beneath a particular tree which is an established, mature tree, but noticed it needed to be pruned. I came to a Friends of Dimond Park Volunteer Day and discovered the tools were in desperate need of sharpening. I’m a scout leader and a sharp knife is a safe knife and a dull one is dangerous. I am happy to help where I can. Thanks to all the Volunteers with FODP, who are all very committed and make such a positive difference.
New ADA Path, Parking Spot at the Park
September 2025
Friends of Dimond Park was founded 15 years ago in an effort to improve accessibility to the park. Things have finally come full circle, with the recent completion of an ADA pathway along the north side of the tennis courts. A handicap parking spot near the pathway has also been designated.
Those who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or have other mobility issues, along with people on bikes, pulling wagons, or pushing baby carriages can now more easily enter the park from the Fruitvale entrance.
Thanks to the City of Oakland for their work to complete this project.
An Ode to Dimond Park’s Buckeye Trees
August 2025
— By FODP Volunteer Laurie Umeh
In August, the leaves of the two large California Buckeye trees (Aesculus Californica) — located between Lion's Pool and Sausal Creek in Dimond Park — will turn dry and brown. But don’t worry…they aren’t dying.
Those of us from the midwest and eastern U.S. are familiar with tree leaves dropping during fall in response to changes in light and temperature. The California Buckeye loses its leaves in mid-summer in response to drought stress.
Most will appear dead by September and large glossy brown seeds will soon appear.
These buckeye seeds are sometimes called horse chestnuts. They are unrelated to the edible chestnut, which is from a different family.
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Buckeye seeds are toxic to humans and mammals other than ground squirrels, although they were apparently sometimes eaten by Native Californians after prolonged leaching.
The Buckeye is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring with bright green leaves. Tiny pinkish-white flowers in showy candelabras appear soon after. Some flowers are male, some female, and some bisexual.
The trees are a rich pollen and nectar source for native bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.The bench near these two lovely trees invites you to sit and contemplate their amazing life cycle.
The Great Dimond Park Rabbit Rescue!
January 2025
It started with the sighting of a bunny near the BBQ area. Then reports of two additional bunnies in other areas of the park emerged. Rabbits in distress? Dimond Park heroes to the rescue!
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Intrepid park volunteer and local resident Don Foote (pictured below) found one of the bunnies munching on some weeds in the middle of Dimond Ave. Yikes! Armed with some lettuce and a cat carrier, he attempted to capture the creature. But to no avail. A couple of concerned citizens drove by and stopped to help. They tried to throw their coats over the animal, but the clever bunny eluded them as well.
Down, but not out, Foote left the cat carrier near the tennis courts, with a note about the rescue attempt. Another park user (Peggy) saw the note and decided to employ the secret weapon she was using to capture the other bunnies in the park…carrots.
It worked! All three bunnies — likely abandoned in the park by owners who no longer wanted them — were rescued and taken to the Oakland Animal Shelter. A loving family adopted all three of them, and are living happily ever after!
2024
Park Give Volunteer Minh Ly 'Peace of Mind'
December 2024
Minh Ly moved to the Dimond District in 2020 and discovered Dimond Park about six months ago. He’s been a regular ever since and volunteers for the Friends of Dimond Park’s monthly work party. Ly is a nature lover and says the park gives him peace of mind.
Ly’s volunteering journey began in a church in West Oakland, where he helped with item preparation and distribution to the needy. When he learned about FODP’s monthly work party, he wanted to contribute towards preserving this beloved park for the community.
Ly’s fellow volunteers are always amazed at his enormous energy and Herculean strength, despite his modest build and humble demeanor. He often takes on the most demanding jobs at the work parties and is typically the last person to finish. He always handles his work with a big smile on his face.
Ly (seated, 2nd from right) previously worked with his brother in cinematography and enjoys swimming in the park’s Lion Pool. He’s looking forward to making many like-minded friends at Dimond Park.
Artist Debbie Koppman's Brightens Park With Murals
October 2024
Dimond Park has always been a beloved community spot, but recently, it has been graced with a splash of vibrant colors, thanks to artist Debbie Koppman. She transformed the park’s bathroom doors into a delightful canvas of vivid hues and whimsical designs. The project was commissioned by the Friends of Dimond Park.
The murals feature a lively array of animals and plants, each door uniquely adorned to create a playful and inviting atmosphere. The idea was simple yet powerful: to make the park’s bathrooms not only functional but also a source of joy and inspiration for everyone who visits.
The bathrooms in the park had been experiencing some issues with graffiti. Koppman’s murals were not just about beautifying a space but also about fostering community spirit and engagement. “Public art has a unique way of touching people from all walks of life,” Koppman explains. “It brightens their day and makes them feel connected to the space and to each other.”
The response to the murals has been overwhelmingly positive. From young children to teenagers and adults alike, park-goers have been enchanted by the artwork. Koppman’s process also invited interaction, with many visitors stopping by to watch the murals come to life and share their appreciation. She was even celebrated by a group of nannies who frequent the park every day. “They hosted a little reception, complete with a picnic and flowers,” she said. “I almost cried, it was so sweet of them!”​
For Koppman, public art is more than a career — it’s a way to engage deeply with the community and contribute positively to public spaces. She has taught art across various schools and organizations, and also has worked for five consecutive summers at Youth Employment Partnerships.
She’s painted numerous murals throughout the Dimond District including Farmer Joe’s grocery store, the PG&E substation on MacArthur, Dimond Cafe, Soon's Lounge, a free-standing piece in front of the Dimond Library, and the front walls of Sequoia Elementary. You can view more of her work here.
Koppman’s murals are a testament to the power of art to enhance our everyday environments and bring people together. Next time you’re at Dimond Park, take a moment to appreciate these joyful creations and the artist behind them.
Steve Ghidinelli Helps Keep the Park Healthy
September 2024
In our 47 years living in the Glenview area, Dimond Park has been central to our family, including learning to play — and fall in love with — tennis on the Dimond courts, swimming with the kids at the pool, and walking along Sausal Creek with my grandson.
Dimond Park is a treasured source of calm and community, and an excellent example of what a city’s green space can offer. This is why I volunteer…to help support this precious resource.
My contribution to Friends of Dimond park consists mostly of cutting down the dry grass that rings the park. The grass not only disrupts the park's natural beauty but is also a potential fire hazard. I think these efforts are vital to a healthy park.
I enjoy the diversity of Dimond Park, both in its cultural representation, the range of ages seen on any given day, and the various activities, like those seniors playing badminton without a net…challenging!
I enjoy coming together with other yellow-shirted volunteers on the third Saturday of month and relish the thank you’s I receive from park attendees. It keeps me coming back.
Volunteer Don Foote is the ‘Pick of the Litter’
August 2024
I grew up, and currently live in Oakland’s Dimond District. I learned to swim in Dimond Park’s pool in the 1960’s and learned to play tennis on the park’s courts in the 1970’s. We are fortunate to have a park in our community where people can enjoy walking, playgrounds, swimming, tennis, picnics, qigong or just sitting among the trees.
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Two years ago I joined the “Keep Dimond Clean” volunteers that pick up litter on Wednesdays and Saturdays mornings in the Dimond District’s business corridor. Last year, a member of that group asked if I would join Dimond Park’s Monday morning litter-pick-up crew, which I did.
As the newest member of the Dimond Park litter pick up team, I am grateful to my teammates for welcoming and training me. Marion, Marilyn, Kathy, Mary Sue, Sora and Noel are a pleasure to work with.
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I find meaning and purpose in keeping the park clean, and many park goers have stopped to thank me for my work.​Anyone wishing to join the weekly pickup can meet us at the park entrance on Fruitvale Avenue on Mondays at at 8 a.m. All supplies will be provided. You only need to bring your love for Dimond Park. Just look for the friendly people in the yellow vests.
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