It angers me to see how the City of Oakland parks aren't maintained. I go into neighboring East Bay cities (Emeryville, Alameda, San Leandro, Berkeley) and see how the parks are maintained. I go to the Oakland Hills and even Washington Square, and see how the parks are maintained, but I go into West and East Oakland and the parks look like crap, grass hasn't been cut in years, play structures are filthy (some with broken equipment). Raimondi Park on West Oakland has that one good football/soccer field and the other field is left unmaintained, homeless are sleeping on the children's playground. Our children deserve better and needs to have safe, sane, and decent parks to go and play. Funding for the parks so that the job of maintaining these parks is a start.

Many decisions are made about city operations and services that affect the quality of life of residents. It would be helpful if residents had opportunities for public feedback and education at the earliest points of consideration - before matters are voted on by the Council.