San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Bike, hike, kayak and even Segway through Oakland
Exploring Oakland mixes the best of Oakland’s indoor and outdoor adventure. The city brims with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and museums. Yet within steps of these spots are many glorious things to enjoy outside. From marvelous murals and sculpture exhibits on walkable tours, to parks to romp with your dog to easy hikes with stunning views, al fresco fun awaits.
STOMPER MANIA
Most people plan something big for their 50th birthday. A big cake, at the very least, blazing with 50 candles.
For the Oakland A’s Community Foundation, however, a cake wouldn’t cut it. To commemorate the Oakland A’s 50 years here, the group recently unveiled “Stomper in the Town,” a public art show featuring 50 life-size statues of the Oakland Athletics’ mascot displayed throughout the city.
Created as unique works by local artists, the Stomper the Elephant tributes are custom painted in such whimsical designs as Bat Boy (a la Batman, by artist Nicki Bernacchi, on site at the Temescal Branch Library on Telegraph Avenue), Bleacher Creature (an abstract of the Oakland Stadium interior, by artist Jessica Joy Jirsa, at Fentons Creamery on Piedmont Avenue) and Tourist Stomper by artists Wendy and Michelle Arbeit at Visit Oakland’s Visitor Center.
The project was a major undertaking, but very well worth it, said Catherine Aker, the A’s vice president of Communications and Community.
The elephants are 6-feet tall, and the artists had about three months to transform the blank canvases into their custom, Oakland-themed creations. It was a labor of love, though the artists got a gift card to a local arts store to purchase their supplies and received a stipend to compensate them for their time and work.
For twin sisters Wendy and Michelle Arbeit, the project was actually thrice the fun. The duo painted three Stompers, including a hippie (“Peace, Love, and The Oakland A’s”), a visitor (“Tourist Stomper”), and a rock star (“The Oakland A’s Rock!”).
All the sculptures will be on display throughout the 2018 season, searchable via an online map at www.mlb.com/athletics/fans/ stomper-in-the-town.
Fans also can sponsor a Stomper statue with the option to take him home at the end of the public art display, by contacting stomper inthetown@athletics.com. All proceeds benefit the Oakland A’s Community Fund, which promotes education, supports youth sports, and provides economic opportunity within the community.
HOP ON A BICYCLE
With more than 141 miles of bike lanes, bicycle-friendly Oakland offers a paradise for pedalers and electric two-wheelers. Cruise around Middle Harbor Shoreline Park taking in the fantastic views of San Francisco Bay. The designated bicycle trail along the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge offers one of the most memorable bike outings ever.
Cyclists will also find scenic off-road bike trails around the Lake Merritt shoreline and within Temescal and Roberts Regional Recreation Areas, and other East Bay Regional Parks. For something uniquely different, bikers/ wine aficionados can combine their love of both on the East Bay Winery Bike Tour, which includes tasting at three or four local wineries along with a picnic lunch stop. Oakland is also home to annual cycling events such as Pedalfest (July 28), Oakland Triathlon (Aug. 19) and Oakland Gran Fondo (September TBD). The nonprofit Red, Bike & Green Oakland hosts a variety of community rides. Check the schedule on the group’s Facebook page @redbikeandgreenoakland.
EXPERIENCE OAKLAND WITH US!
The Oakland Parks & Recreation and Youth Development Department invites all Oaklanders