About Us
Laurel Village Association (LVA) is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) all-volunteer neighborhood association focused on improving the life of residents in the Laurel District of Oakland, CA. Anyone who lives, works, shops or plays in the neighborhood is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate at association meetings and organized activities. Some typical activities include beautification of public spaces (medians, freeway on ramps, Peralta creek, graffiti abatement), social events/activities (block parties, evenings out, neighborhood garage sales), and communication/liaising with business and government officials. Planning and organizing the Laurel Summer Solstice Music Festival is a year-round affair.
Recent projects have included the District 4 Council seat forum in October 2010 and the Laurel Art Garden.
In 2004 the LVA set-up and continues to maintain the Laurel Village Yahoo listserv as an open forum among the listserv subscribers. Anyone who lives, works, shops or plays in the neighborhood can become a subscriber.
Laurel Art Garden
One of the favorite projects of the Laurel Village Association is the Laurel Art Garden, located at 35th Avenue and Delaware Street, next to the entrance to Highway 580 going west.
The Laurel Village Association adopted the site at 35th Avenue and Delaware Street in 2003 and it became officially Adopt-A-Spot and calling it the Laurel Art Garden in 2010. Work on the spot has been on-going with bulb plantings in November and general maintenance on the third Saturday of every month.
Since February 2011, the installation of redwood panels have showcased the array of painted and decorated hub caps, which were found throughout the Oakland city streets. Originally, this project was started in 2010 and installed on the Caltrans fence. But after challenges from state agencies, with the sanction of the Oakland Department of Art and Council Member Libby Schaaf's office, the LVA built the redwood panels to hold the hub caps. During the fall of 2011, the LVA applied for a grant from Keep Oakland Beautiful to build three more panels and it awarded in November. The newest addition of art is the official Laurel Leaf--check it out when you come to the garden!!!!!!
History of the Laurel District
Curious about the history of the Laurel? Long-time Laurel District resident and East Bay historian Dennis Evanosky has written a history of the neighborhood. See more on the Laurel and local history at Evanosky's website.
Another website that has rich Oakland history content is the Oakland Collection, an online exhibit of the Oakland Museum of California. Take a look at the Time Traveler panoramas or check out early photos of some of the neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Calendar
Events and happenings around the Laurel District Oakland
