If you're in West Oakland, you're probably interested in the plans that City Slicker Farms and the home building company that has a plot of land on Peralta between Hannah and Helen are  planning. This is the third small park, CSF is planning, with the others at Union Plaza and Fitzgerald parks. Plans call for part of the park to be an urban garden, but plans for the rest of the space have no been completely defined.

On Thursday evening, January 14th, there was a planning meeting to discuss how to use the space. At that meeting, there was some differences in perspective, apparently, between West Oakland locals and Dogtown residents who live near Alliance Metals and are upset with the behaviors of many Alliance Metals customers who linger in the neighborhood.

According to one attendee, while some stressed it was essential for the park to be secure, and not invite drug use or homeless people, other atendees made it clear they did not want a park that required a police presence to be secure, they didn't want to not be able to sip beer in the park adter hours, and they didn't want access blocked after dark.

 Can you say difference in perspectives?

What was not clear was how many of the people at the meeting lived near the proposed park and what their views are, it is clear that neighbors around the park will most likely be getting more involved.

To keep abreast of this issue, connect with the following:

• Dogtown discussion group
• City Slicker Farms: Join the mailing list by sending email to info@cityslickerfarms.org