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Union Point Park
2311 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606, United States
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Si
Review №1

So very Oakland that We The People voted on the Measure DD bond and directed millions to create this park that was opened with such fanfare. Years later it is run down and variously overrun with encampments and the parking lot filled with trailers and campervans. It will probably take another million or more to restore it to something close to its opening state. But what is the point if there is no commitment to maintain it and enforced use rules that preserve it as a park for all and not a run down urban camping site? If the later is all Oakland is willing to deal with then the site should have been paved over, bathrooms installed, and regular trash pickup provided (and enforced). Would have saved a fortune and created a better space for the under housed.

Ja
Review №2

This park was beautiful!. There was a large homeless group camped there. However, the promenade by the boats was really pretty and the park was totally empty. They were giving free testing for anybody. I went around 2:00 and there were no lines. I even got a free lunch. Totally Oakland.

Re
Review №3

This place is more useful as a place to get your things together, clean out your car, work on your car. Homeless have taken it over. Quick sneak-a-toke, a quickie or if brave enough, overnight car sleeping. Dont stay long, pass thru, keep to yourself.

Dr
Review №4

In a great innovative area . Lotta white people so good for extravagant vibezz

Ja
Review №5

Union Point Park is a dump. Its a place where homeless people and drug addicts hang out. Be careful to lock your car and dont leave anything of value in it. I only go here to meet a boat I work on.

Pa
Review №6

Public restroom facilities that come in handy on occasion .

Eb
Review №7

Relaxing place to take a break

Me
Review №8

Once upon a time this was a lovely place for a walk or a picnic. But sadly the city doesnt seem to be caring for it. Benches are still I good shape but the rest is kinda sad.

Ma
Review №9

This area is in great spot. But need Parks and Recreation Department to address the issues that concerning the park

Ka
Review №10

She is worth the drive to East Oakland! The marina is pretty chill and they really have kept it pretty clean. Avoid the bathrooms though, even if you have had all your shots!

Lu
Review №11

This place has very relaxing view of the marina waterways and some shade on those very sunny days.

ro
Review №12

It used to be a really great place to have birthday parties barbecue fish now it is overrun by drug addicts and bumbs leaving used rubbers and needles garbage everywhere police dont do anything they have taken advantage of this really nice place

Ar
Review №13

Peculiar Place. Park has many many meanings here. A place. An action. Long term? Sure, pull on up and stay awhile. On a bike, or a cart, no matter which, this clique got heart. Seems good looking after one another happening...but I was a visitor with a visitor and needed to pee. Thank goodness that was allowed down a path. In private. Strange setup tho. Thank you for having tp in stalls at 3 am. So so uncommonly the case. 5* just for that.

Sh
Review №14

They Love Me.

Br
Review №15

It used to be a really nice park, however over the years especially recently it has turned into a homeless encampment. I have a boat at the marina so I have spent time getting to know some of them around here and theres some good people out here. But with the good comes the bad. Not a bad place but not exactly family friendly anymore.

Tr
Review №16

This nicely renovated park with facilities and playground right on the bay is now a homeless encampment unfortunately. It seems the city is trying to clear it out and hoping they are successful.

Ma
Review №17

Its really not a bad park. Needs some attention. The people that Luce there need to be a little more ambitious. Its best at sunset.

Mi
Review №18

This could be a nice park, but it has become essentially an encampment. The viewpoint walkway was impassable due to shopping carts etc.

Bo
Review №19

Once again you can get access to the Bay Trail at this park. The Embarcadero is the bike route from Jack London Square, but at this point you can almost get to Alameda. Nice water views.

Je
Review №20

Fished at the pier -- one tiny shiner and one fat jacksmelt. There is a well organized homeless encampment here, and the city should collect debris. Lots of dog walkers and folks canoodling. Chill place for a Sunday afternoon.

Sa
Review №21

Walking through Union Point Park in Oakland I could not help but have this feeling of pity for the area. The park’s concept is beautiful. It is right near the water. The size of it allows for it to be enjoyed by many at once. It is filled with art installations of all kinds. Ned Kahn’s Wave Oculus (2005) is located here; it is an encapsulating project that has a lot of interesting thoughts behind it. Yet, I wish it wasn’t placed here. The parks deterioration has trickled down to the sculptures and affected them for the worse. It is quite obvious that funding for the park has diminished. Unfortunately, the rising homeless issue in the bay area has displaced many to this park and because of its placement has become a place of solace for some due to its distance from the city.Union Point Park is a nine-acre waterfront venue. Located just near Coast Guard Island, just south of the Embarcadero area shoreline. The park’s website boasts that it “offers waterfront access, park activities, and attractive open space in an area that has lacked such opportunities. It is owned and operated by the City of Oakland.”When first driving to the park, I noticed that both parking lots on either end were quite empty. It was a beautiful Oakland summer day. I expected a few people to be enjoying the nice park. Whatever cars were there were old abandon beaters that seemed to have been there for a while now. Walking up to the Wave Oculus is when I really noticed the park itself and its raw beauty. The land formations really did make it seem as if it created from waves. From the small hills to the curvy pathways, the aesthetic of the park is clear throughout. The childrens play area fits the theme and was made to look like a boat. The Wave Oculus itself is beautiful. The reflections shown through on the mirrors are extremely calming and fun to watch. Unfortunately, the upkeep of the Wave Oculus was not up to date and rust is prevalent on a majority of the sculpture. Trash along the bank of the estuary distracted me and pulled me away from spending more time looking at the mirrors. Otherwise, everything about the park and Wave Oculus has an inviting feel to it, yet there seems to be this eerie mist that acts as a deterrent that emanates from the park to the point where I don’t think I’ll ever visit again. The park is out of the way, basically on the edge of Fruitvale. The only cars that I noticed passing through the secluded road were semi-trucks. This seclusion also adds to the eeriness of the park.The tech boom is reshaping what it is like to live in the bay area, Oakland more than San Francisco is ending up on the short end of the deal. According to an article in the SF Chronicle, by Joe Garofoli and Kimberley Veklerov, “Oakland is experiencing an unprecedented demand for housing that has driven up the median price of an apartment by nearly 60 percent over the past three years. During that time, little affordable housing has been built.” An unfortunate statistic that has ended up displacing so many Oakland residents. This has exposed everyone to what Oakland has and San Francisco does not: a vast network of empty industrial backroads. A trait that allows for homeless encampments to reside at peace and out of sight.This is why I believe the Park has really lost its traction and appeal. Due to its seclusion it has become a homeless hub. Unfortunately, it isn’t at the fault of anyone, really. It’s more up to the city to come up with long and short term solutions for the homeless issue, whether it be more affordable housing or temporary housing. There really isn’t too much that can be done to alleviate the problem. In her article, “Looking Around: Where We Are, Where We Could Be” Lucy Lippard says, “Because land plus people -their presence and absence - is what makes place resonate.” It is an unfortunate truth, but it is a truth as to how we define places.

P
Review №22

This place is filthy no runiñg water in the toilets Rays running all over the parking lot.

Ri
Review №23

What was once a beautiful park with a view of the Bay its now a massive homeless encampment.

Je
Review №24

Its beautiful and there is a spectacular view.Only the Restrooms need cleaning. Thanks for Asking

Ha
Review №25

I attempted to bring the kids that I watch here and it was a disaster. Garbage literally on every surface. Tents, mobile homes filled with trash, random dogs and sketchy looking people. It was truly a terrifying sight even in daylight.

Ca
Review №26

This use to be a great park. Unfortunately homeless encampments have taken over everything from the parking, bathrooms and even play structures. My daughters and I ride our bikes past the park and they always ask to stop and I always have to say no and tell them its not safe.

Ha
Review №27

The homeless tent City has taken over. I drove here with my toddler to try the play structure. We didnt even feel safe parking the car, just kept driving.

Wi
Review №28

It looks good but some people destroy the place...

An
Review №29

We have the best view. Watching sunsets, fireworks, blue angels, etc. Its our home away from home.

El
Review №30

Could be cleaned up and maintained better.

Be
Review №31

This park wouldbeniceif the city could keep the homeless from camping and trashing the place. The playground is not safe or suitable and the public restrooms are filthy.

Mr
Review №32

Tent city these days. Used to be beautiful.

Ma
Review №33

Besides the continued homelessness where theres the homeless and unsheltered homeless drug addicts and the drunk unsheltered are the people who work every single day who cant pay rent we need to do better

Je
Review №34

Im going to clean it up but its beautiful

je
Review №35

I love this place, but the harbor master is constantly harrassing people he doesnt recognize as boat owners. Other than that, its beautiful, clean , safe place for children to have birthday parties and play at the playgroynd, you can barbeque here and play horseshoes. There are homeless people around, but they have not taken over the park itself.

Ri
Review №36

Tucked away through a tunnel on the backside of Point Richmond is a wonderful Little Gem known as Union Point Park Sparse onbfacilities but but on space and the views are spectacular. The day I was out there was one of those blistering hot unusually climate-changing warm days where the temperature was in the upper 90s There were many families on site picnicking and lots of kids swimming in the bay which I thought was remarkable. The place has southwestern exposure with a number;p. public restrooms and facilities for cleaning fish if youre an angler. fmiles of hiking trails with places for privacy and places to play maze throughout the park and many that afternoon were enjoying thebwesgjgc . volleyball its a great little gem that few people find except for maybe the locals I say check it put

Fa
Review №37

Walked thru late at night to use bathroom in emergency. Bathrooms were moderately clean, but points for actually having tp and being open thru night. Had fairly long walk along impressively clean marina and aside from 2 random placed tents, in the darkness it appears to be in fairly kept condition. The park and play structure looks like a high end type that is bigger than any Ive ever seen, so someone made good investment in that at least.

mi
Review №38

Quite and safe for ladys

Ed
Review №39

The only public bathrooms in Oakland open all day; theyre well-maintained by staff...hopefully the people who use (and need) them the most, will continue doing their part so that this valuable resource isnt lost for all.

Da
Review №40

Its up in the court system to be decided on wether or not to turn it into a designated homeless campsite. Its filled with trash and RVs that are barely liveable. But its better than living out on the street under a tent or a door way. They just need to do something about the horders and trash build up.

Ro
Review №41

Best experience of me life

Xa
Review №42

Awesome Views, unfortunately homelessness encampment on southern end parking lot and what looks like a homeless community dump on the North end take away from its place as a public park...there are brand new luxury condo studios going up for $3800 to $5600 mo..that outta help out the homeless housing crisis!!! WTF! America??....soon to be everywheee

Ro
Review №43

Great place quite and calm at sunrise mostly allday except for the train

Jo
Review №44

Gotta give this place 5 stars,,DJ extreme Jerome Gibson aka Muddyyumyums lives there,,,busting FAT BEATS NO ONE CAN COME CLOSE TO WHAT HES MIXING,,,STOP BY SAY HELLO LISTEN TO BEATS,,SMOKE LEAVE,,NO DRAMA,,,FATTEST PARTY NEAR ANY BODY OF WATER ON THE WEST COAST,,,TELL THEM JM SENT YOU,,,AND IF YOU RUN INTO JINA TELL HER IM STILL WAITING

J.
Review №45

This place SHOULD be a 5 star review, it is an AMAZING harbor side park. So much work (not to mention ) was put into this location only to have it completely THRASHED and dangerous for kids and solo ladies. Its beautiful, but at the same time, so dirty and so sketchy. I would never bring my daughter anywhere NEAR this park and playground AGAIN!!! So dangerous for children. A good walk for me, my 2 pitbulls, and cane corso however.

Da
Review №46

Wonderful place to visit beautiful statue in the park over the water some of the finest people Ive ever met specially across the street in the parking area at the far end of the park

Je
Review №47

This could be such a beautiful park but with the large homeless encampment I will not take my son here to play.

Am
Review №48

Ok nice park but the tent encampment is discuting. Needles everywhere broken glass from Auto burglary. Trash all over the parking lot. City of Oakland needs to up their game. Libby Shaff where are you at.

Je
Review №49

Its beautiful. I love it.

Ro
Review №50

Bathrooms.plentiful just no.paper that sucks so I left a roll in each.stall myself

Ru
Review №51

Little but good

Sy
Review №52

It could be such a great place, but its overrun by the homeless and gangs. Looks like its a pretty new and a cool structure, but its now dirty, smelly full of gang tags on the walls and bums everywhere. Pretty sad. I definitely would never take my daughter there!

Do
Review №53

Beautiful Space! The Homeless done discovered the Space too. They Cool with Me but Keep Your Tent area free of Trash!

ah
Review №54

The parking lot is full of old rusted cars and is unkept. The infrastructure and space itself is fine, but a normal person wouldnt want to hang out here long because of all of the trash and homeless hanging around... The view is nice though...

jo
Review №55

Jo
Review №56

This would be a great playground if it werent for the broken glass and homeless encampment. I mean, if I were going to pick a spot to pitch a tent, its not a bad place. But, its a shame that it compromises the childrens play space.

er
Review №57

Needs to get cleaned

Ru
Review №58

This place is entrenched with full time tenants and is kinda trashed. But if that keeps people away, more for me. Cool place to hangout and chill by the water. Spend as much time here as you like. Hell, move here if you want. The city of Oakland obviously doesnt mind

ka
Review №59

Relaxing, quiet location on the estuary. Hang out in your car or on a bench along the walkway. Good for watching the sunset.

mi
Review №60

Terrible parking lot, nice boat community

Ng
Review №61

Used to be LOVELY when it was first built. Now it has been overtaken by the homeless and is extremely dirty and stinky and unsafe. Needles and trash everywhere. Its a shame because 7 years ago or so it was my favorite park in Oakland.

Pa
Review №62

Because the police wont Leave the homeless people alone. They constantly drive up and harass them. I say leave them alone. Let them live their lives the best that they can.

Ci
Review №63

This WAS a family place to take your kids but I was disappointed when I took my granddaughter. The park was barren and parking lots had homeless encampments.

Wi
Review №64

Great place to relax

ca
Review №65

Just to be a nice park when it first open, I just to do my sons partys there.but now its all trashy and run down by a lot of people who are homeless and some drug users. Theres garbage everywhere.

Ma
Review №66

Nice place

Ra
Review №67

BEAUTIFUL AIR RELAXED ATMOSPHERE If you can ignore the tents.

Br
Review №68

Good place to walk the dog and take in the views of the marina and bay but also there are a few tents and litter

Re
Review №69

Good smoke spot minus the encampment

Va
Review №70

Not really a family type of place

Kr
Review №71

Great view of the city and bay. Perfect place to go for some fabulous photo ops!

Co
Review №72

Homelessness has become increasingly common.

Al
Review №73

It is a good park, but has a lot of homeless encampments that detracts from the park. One of the slides is permanently broken.

94
Review №74

The park 2 parking areas at either end, a pefestrian path along the water, a set of restroom facilities, landscaping and a structure which resemnle a pair of mounds connected by a bridge.The place is usually occupief by multiple transients who sleep in tents or in the derelict vehicles. Garbage and other debris accumulates here faster than the city can remove it.The park is open during daylight hours and camping is prohibited.

Sh
Review №75

Its a beautiful park to visit. I frequent it all the time.

Va
Review №76

Nice place nice views just on the other side some homeless gots it pretty dirty the othet side is great

Ro
Review №77

It was ok. Nice view but it wasnt very clean.

Pi
Review №78

Nice place for a relaxing stop. Dont go there after sunset though. It is not safe

Er
Review №79

It is a homeless camp now, no longer a park

Da
Review №80

Ok cool a spot to sesh after harborside visit!

Da
Review №81

Still a great place to visit great views!

Te
Review №82

Dump. The homeless are everywhere.

Da
Review №83

Love this place its beautiful but pretty cold in the winter &perfect in the summer

To
Review №84

Would be a nice place. But there are homeless people living offshore. The blast the radio. Not a good sight.

Ca
Review №85

Clean rest area

H.
Review №86

Lots of homeless people camping here, beautiful park though

de
Review №87

This is a really great park! However due to the homeless people that have taken over the park it is not safe for children. It is riddled with trash, bathrooms are filthy. It is not a park to take any children.

Ry
Review №88

Beautiful park, however the excessive amount of homeless encampments make it a bit sketchy.

Za
Review №89

One of the Eastbay best kept secrets!

Sc
Review №90

Filthy disgusting pit from hell. Overrun with garbage and homeless encampments. A female military officer was abducted and raped while walking through this part. Do not under any circumstances park or walk through this park after dusk. If you park here at any time its likely your car will be broken into.

Pe
Review №91

Dirty bathrooms parking lot just garbage every where

Pa
Review №92

Peaceful

De
Review №93

Not as nice as it used to be

Ni
Review №94

Beautiful place!

Ub
Review №95

I dont remember

Em
Review №96

Peaceful but the homeless are taking over

De
Review №97

I wish they would do some weed abatement, too many dry weeds. Liked the location on the water.

mi
Review №98

Good place to go for a walk.

Jo
Review №99

Homeless encampment at the time of resting

Li
Review №100

Full of tents and garbage and discarded furniture. Seems like its all been there a while. Stay away! If not for that it looks like a fun park.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
3.4 Rating
  • Address:2311 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606, United States
  • Site:http://www.waterfrontaction.org/learn/parks/up.htm
  • Phone:+1 510-238-3187
Categories
  • Tourist attraction
  • Park
Working hours
  • Monday:6am–7pm
  • Tuesday:6am–7pm
  • Wednesday:6am–7pm
  • Thursday:6am–7pm
  • Friday:6am–7pm
  • Saturday:6am–7pm
  • Sunday:6am–7pm
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
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