Boundary Street Park: South Oakland: 626 Boundary Street
In Pittsburgh, tot parks were popular throughout the 1960s and 70s. From a city-planning perspective, they were an ideal enhancement for neighborhoods with young children and a budgetary win because they required less equipment. A tot park could easily be added to an open space after an abandoned home or commercial building was demolished (which, at that time, was happening with increasing frequency). While it was a good idea, as Pittsburgh’s depopulation accelerated in the 80s and 90s, many of these stand-alone tot lots also fell into disrepair. The Boundary Street Tot Lot in Oakland’s Panther Hollow was one such place that had become mossy, derelict, and decidedly unused by its intended audience.
Over the last few years, a DIY skate park was established on the lot, and along with it came occasional complaints from a former neighborhood resident. It’s unclear whether the individual preferred the overgrown, littered space or was irritated by their inability to return to a 1960s life and the sounds of their childhood. I get it, navigating the aging process can be challenging.
Trying to ignore the back-story drama, on the day of my visit, the park was active with a handful of teens and tweens engaged in serious practice. I was impressed with the feedback they offered one another and their positive, encouraging attitude. Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation was playing from a giant boombox that briefly offered a flashback to my youthful 1980s. LOL. I don’t live in Panther Hollow, but if I did, I’d prefer this kind of land use over a bunch of rambunctious 6-year-olds or a litter-strewn, overgrown lot any day. Hands down, no questions asked. I’d even donate some batteries.
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