Oakland Trails is sponsored by the
Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation
501c3 Tax ID # 94-2751052
About Oakland Trails
Oakland Trails is an all-volunteer organization.
Our Mission
We’re dedicated to promoting, maintaining, and enhancing Oakland’s wildland parks and trails.
Our Vision
Oakland’s wildland parks will be safe and well-maintained, welcoming Oaklanders and visitors alike.
History
Oakland Trails began as a joint committee of the Dimond Improvement Association (DIA) and Dimond Business & Professional Association (DB&PA), formed by Stan Dodson in 2010. With a group of DIA and DB&PA volunteers, Stan led several trail maintenance projects to rehabilitate Dimond Canyon’s trail system, and in 2011, began a series of hiking tours to promote it. He then joined Friends of Joaquin Miller Park (FOJMP) as an at-large board member. Leading projects for all three organizations, Stan concentrated his efforts on promoting and maintaining more than 600 acres of parkland that connect Dimond Park (200 feet elevation) to the Bay Area Ridge Trail (1500 feet elevation).
In 2014, Oakland Trails became an independent program by entering into a fiscal sponsorship with the Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation. Our volunteer efforts have included:
- more than 60 free hiking tours, including many geared for seniors and youth
- year-round debris removal from trails, clearing overgrowth and fallen trees
- identifying, implementing, and supporting needed trail repair, reroutes, and long-term trail maintenance solutions
- installation of mosaic trail markers in Dimond Canyon Park
- production of two 20-minute documentaries, Trailhead and Old Survivor
- co-founding and directing Oakland Volunteer Park Patrol
- major improvements to Palos Colorados Trail, Dimond Canyon Trail, and Camp Trail
- led the community process for the naming of four previously unnamed trails (for public safety)
- led the community approval process for the Joaquin Miller Park Pump Track
Photos from in and around Oakland’s wildland parks
Collaboration
Oakland Trails proudly partners with the City of Oakland and several local organizations, including:
- Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development
- Oakland Public Works
- Oakland Fire Department
- Oakland Police Department
- Save the Redwoods League
- Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation
- Dimond Improvement Association
- Dimond Business & Professional Association
- Glenview Neighborhood Association
- Friends of Joaquin Miller Park
- Friends of Sausal Creek
- Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay
- Oakland Urban Paths
- Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association
- Oakland Montclair Lions Club
- Montclair Village Association
Staff
Oakland Trails is an all-volunteer organization:
- Stan Dodson, Founder & Executive Director
- Jennifer Goundas Diiullo (Big Wave Media), Communications Manager
- Gary McCormick, Events, Associate Hiking Tour Leader
Advisors
We benefit from the partnership and expertise of many, including:
- Andrew Alden, Geologist
- Annie Campbell Washington, Vice Mayor, Oakland City Councilmember, District 4
- Dana Riley, Assistant Director, Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development
- Dee Rosario, Retired, Redwood Park Supervisor
- Dennis Evanosky, Historian
- Henry Mitchell, Past Trails Coordinator, Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay
- Jennifer Goundas Diiullo, President, Big Wave Media, LLC
- Jennifer Stern, Environmental Services, Oakland Public Works
- Karen Paulsell, Rare/Native Plant Identification, Friends of Sausal Creek
- Kevin Charles, Park Supervisor I, Oakland Public Works
- Anna Marie Schmidt, Executive Director, Friends of Sausal Creek
- Mike Udkow, Past President, Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay
Special thanks to the following for their professional services:
