Phase I of the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park is finally completed. It's the East end of the park at Sherman Street. December 15, 2018 was the opening day which offered music, food, and speeches, but most of all there were people having fun. An estimated 700+ residents turned out for the event, including dignitaries, adults, kids, bike riders, and doggies. To watch a video of the day's celebrations click here! click here!

A souvenir token honoring the opening of the park was provided by ARPD.

Speakers at the opening ceremonies are listed left to right.
Back Row
Dorothy Freeman - Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Fund, Frank Matarrese - Alameda City Councilmember, Jim Oddie - Alameda City Councilmember, Jim Sweeney - Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Fund, Liz Warmerdam - Alameda Assistant City Manager.
Front Row
Cathy Dana - Alameda Poet Laureate, Marlyn Ashcraft - Alameda City Councilmember & Mayor elect, Barbara Lee - United States Representative, Rob Bonta - State of California Representative, Sedrick Mitchell - California State Parks Recreation Department Director, Trish Spencer - Alameda City Mayor.
Speaking at the Podium:
Amy Wooldridge - Alameda Recreation & Parks Department Director

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Dignitaries who participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony were Alameda City Councilmember Jim Oddie, Alameda City Councilmember Frank Matarrese, California Representative Rob Bonta, United States Representative Barbara Lee, Alameda City Mayor Trish Spencer, California State Parks and Recreation Department Director Sedrick Mitchell, Jim Sweeney, husband of Jean Sweeney, Alameda City Councilmember and Mayor elect Marilyn Ashcraft, Alameda Recreation and Parks Department Director Amy Wooldridge, and Assistant City Manager Liz Warmerdam.
Photo by Jim Ahrens (Son-In-Law of Jim Sweeney)

At the opening ceremonies, Alameda's Poet Laureate Cathy Dana read her poem "Build It And They Will Come"

The East Bay Gay Men's Chorus sang after the opening ceremonies.

The video of the day's celebration music and speeches, including snapshots of the more than 700 visitors enjoying the new park is available. Click Here to start the video which opens in a new blank page.