Lake Merritt Archives - Oakland Voices

‘We still here’: Oakland’s 510 Day blends community, joy, and resistance

May 14, 2025 Rasheed Shabazz

This year’s 510 Day marked 10 years of reclaiming space, celebrating culture, and building community.

‘Black Tulip’: Action, culture shift in Oakland necessary for Black women’s safety

October 14, 2024 Kristal Raheem

Black Tulip’s Cultural Week of Action featured art installations, street outreach, and letter writing to mobilize against disproportionate violence against Black women and girls. Community members are encouraged to support a City Council resolution to protect Black women.

Urban Peace Movement statement following Juneteenth shooting at Lake Merritt

June 24, 2024 Oakland Voices

Urban Peace Movement is disheartened by the violence that took place during the Juneteenth gathering in our beloved Oakland.

Annual Lakefest event showcases local vendors

March 4, 2024 Randi Cross

Lakefest is a great opportunity to hear Oakland artists and shop with local businesses.

What’s Your Favorite Place in the Town?

March 4, 2024 Oakland Voices

Oakland Voices correspondents share their favorite places in the Town.

a nudibranch animal with orange and glowing bluish lights on the tips

Close Up of Lake Merritt’s Biodiversity: Organisms of Oakland’s Crown Jewel

August 31, 2023 Momo Chang

Uncover the surprising and diverse ecosystem thriving inside Lake Merritt. From neon-glowing nudibranchs to gnarly tubeworms, explore the hidden marvels captured through the lens of naturalist Damon Tighe.

A man in a wetsuit and a yellow hard helmet comes out of murky waters

Divers Clean Lake Merritt Flood Gates

September 9, 2022 Momo Chang

Divers have been out to clean the tidal flood gates at the Lake Merritt Pump Station by 7th Street. These gates are used as a barrier between the Oakland Harbor and Lake Merritt to control

A brown brackish water on the shores of Lake Merritt, with small white dead fish on the bottom or floating

Thousands of Dead Fish, Other Marine Life, Surface at Lake Merritt

August 29, 2022 Momo Chang

Yesterday, Lake Merritt and nature enthusiasts were alarmed to find tens of thousands of dead fish and other marine life along the edges of the lake. Among the dead wildlife were smelt, striped bass, bat

a night time scene at Lake Merritt, where people are watching a film outside.

‘Movie Night at the Lake’ brings silent disco, film, drink, & popcorn to Lake Merritt

October 21, 2020 Brandy Collins

Two Bay Area natives, Arzo Johnson (aka DJ Slowpoke) and Brandon Bailey (aka DJ B. Bailey) have hosted Movie Night At The Lake, a weekly evening event at Lake Merritt’s Empowerment Park.

cellular image of novel coronavirus with the word Oakland above

Pandemic, heat wave, and moving during COVID-19

August 17, 2020 Rasheed Shabazz

Conflict at Lake Merritt over vendors. COVID-19 cases rise to 6,000 in Oakland.