PARKS AND OPEN SPACE IN SHEFFIELD VILLAGE
Sheffield Village Recreation Center:
Owned and operated by the City of Oakland, the Center has a building. sometimes
called the clubhouse, and features a softball field, basketball court, tot play area The center provides programs for all community members from toddlers to seniors. Programs include pre-school programs, after school homework and activity programs, summer day camps, and more. The building is available for rent. It is located at 247 Marlow Drive. There are two parking spaces and some street parking.
Onset Park:
Owned and maintained by Sheffield Village Home Owners
Association (SVHOA), this lovely park is sometimes considered the dog park
although, while there are two dispensers for dog disposal bags, there are no
gates. This park is quiet and private. It has no facilities other than a few
benches for sitting and relaxing. The park can be accessed in three ways: there
are steps between 3064 and 3074 Brookfield Avenue; there is a path between
3169 and 3177 Middleton Street; there is another path between 3105 and
3115 Middleton Street. The SVHOA requests that users keep noise to a
minimum and remove all trash with them because there is no garbage service
in the park.
Milford Park Tennis Court:
Owned and maintained by Sheffield Village Home Owners
Association (SVHOA), this park is also known as the Tennis Court. It currently has
no facilities other than the tennis court. However, the Parks Committee has
requested ideas for other possible uses; some of the suggestions were a bocce
court and a community garden. No action has yet been taken. The park can be
accessed in two ways: there is a driveway (for pedestrians and maintenance
vehicles only) between 3062 and 3068 Roxbury Avenue and there is a path
between 3049 and 3067 Middleton Street. The SVHOA requests that users keep
noise to a minimum and remove all trash with them because there is no garbage
Milford Park Tennis Court
service in the park.
Dunsmuir Ridge Open Space:
Thanks to the hard work of our community
in recent decades, Sheffield Village continues to enjoy direct access to a
wonderful open space park. The trail makes for a wonderful escape from the
neighborhood, and great for those looking to give your calves and cardio a bit
of a workout. The trail meanders past behind Marlow and past the barn on
the Dunsmuir Estate. You will then climb the first large hill-you have 2
choices between very steep or a less-intense wrap around the hill. At the first
plateau, you are rewarded with a nice view of the neighborhood. Turning
around, you can again take the very steep jeep trail or a small single-track that
climbs up through the woods. You will then make your way up to a second
vista point, where will be rewarded with a marvelous perspective of Sheffield
Village, and a great view of the bay and the city of Oakland. On a clear day,
you can see across to the skyline of San Francisco. Turning around, you have
the last vertical stretch. At the peak, you will find the best view, sometimes
making it possible to see several bridges. On the upper ridge, you can catch a
view of Lake Chabot and cheer on a golfer or two on the course. Recently,
there has been a creative expression of rock, pine cones, and twigs forming a
spiral, a timeless human form of expression reminiscent of an ancient cave
drawing. You can then return by the same route, or find a gentle slope that
will take you back to the Village via upper Revere. For me, this open space
has always been a highlight of living in the neighborhood. I’ve spotted many
birds, deer, rabbit, turkey, a few skunk and the annual flock of fire-fighting
goats on this trail. I hope you can find the time to explore this hillside
and take in the rewarding views from each stage in the journey.