Union Plaza Park

A Green Pocket in the City

Situated in West Oakland, Union Plaza Park is a little slice of green spanning about 0.42 acres. This urban park provides a green space within the concrete landscape of the neighborhood.

From Park to Farm

In recent years, the space has evolved into an urban farm and community garden. Now one of the largest growing operations managed by City Slicker Farms, this transformation didn't happen by accident. Former City Councilmember Nancy Nadel played a key role in reimagining this space as something more than a traditional park - turning it into a place where food can actually grow in the heart of the city.

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Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket

Called "A Gem of the East Bay," and voted "Best Botanical Garden" by Sunset Magazine (2019), a visit to the Ruth Bancroft Garden offers visitors an opportunity to see cacti, succulents, California natives and other rare and unusual drought tolerant plant species from around the world. The Garden features many large, mature plant specimens, originally planted by founder, Ruth Bancroft, that are not often seen in other dry gardens, making for a unique visitor experience all seasons of the year.

$15.00

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Part of Something Bigger

The shift to urban agriculture at Union Plaza Park isn't just a random change. It's actually part of Oakland's broader development vision, reflecting a citywide embrace of community-based food production. For locals, this means having a park nearby that's also a place to garden, learn about growing food, and access fresh produce without leaving the neighborhood.

Growing Through Challenges

The path hasn't been entirely smooth. In August 2014, the farm suffered damage from vandals who targeted parts of the growing areas. Yet despite this setback, Union Plaza Park remains an important green space for West Oakland residents, showing the resilience of urban agriculture despite challenges.