Lake Merritt’s super fans

They come from near and far to play and partake in Oakland’s big backyard.

Lake Merritt is Oakland’s extended backyard.

It’s the quintessential place to quietly relax in a hammock, joyfully entertain close family and friends to a picnic, perfect your dance moves for a future nightclub date, competitively row in the water or exercise self-care while preparing for your best run time.

I recently spent time on several weekends at Lake Merritt observing Oaklanders and out-of-town visitors, capturing joyous and laid-back moments with the aid of my digital cameras, flashes and a light stand in tow. I was fascinated by everyone I encountered. I was intrigued by colorful outfits, harmonious musical sounds, boisterous laughter or tricked-out vehicles. And so I went to work to document moments as they unfolded in front of me.

Ask any visitor their thoughts about Lake Merritt and they’ll tell you they love the tranquility and diversity of the area. And above all else, it’s a terrific place for barbecues. A few regulars pointed to the area where last year a white woman called the Oakland Police Department to make a complaint against a small group of black people grilling in the park. That unfortunate incident has only encouraged food lovers and those seeking to unwind to converge here for memorable moments of glee or to seek quietude.

Anu Adeyinka, a Lake Merritt regular, recently drove 40 minutes to take in its calming presence with friend Lula Misgun, 46. The two ladies had hiked earlier in the day and decided to picnic at Lake Merritt to celebrate their new jobs.

“I love it. I tell her, ‘Lula, we’re hiking and we’re doing the lake.’ And we just chilled the whole time,” Adeyinka said. “It’s just a beautiful place. See people hanging, you know, hanging around, diversity, families, people walking, playing music. And the lake — the view — it’s just very relaxing. Like nature really heals. It’s a wonderful place. I love it.”

The view is spectacular, especially as the sun sets along the 3-mile perimeter. Regardless of the corner you choose to plant yourself, Lake Merritt provides the best seats in Oakland.

Birthday girl: Candice Chang celebrates her 29th birthday with bubbles: “I just wanted to be outside on a sunny day, have something easy, like friends can just come.”

Green light: Cousins Kingdom Chambers (left) and Kuda Mills, both 27, with Mills’ 1973 Chevelle. Says Chambers: “It was Mother's Day, got done with the family, just wanted to ride around. I love the lake. It was really that random. We just come out here when we don't have anything to do specifically and we just ride around.”

Lovely day: Vernone Young, 42: “I love the lake. There’s nothing else to say. And my friends were here, so why not?”

All smiles: Hasani “Tre Malachi” White, 23: “I was going to let (the balloons) go . ... I was going to have them be all red and blue, but got to get a smiley face in there one time, you know.”

Sunny snuggle: Kiara Barry (left), 19, and Yana Sternberger-Moye, 21. Says Yana: “We have been spending the day kind of doing a self-care day because it was just a beautiful day.”

Brushing up: Kenneth “BlasŽ” Ruffin, 26, paints sneakers: “The reason why I come to Lake Merritt — not only the view, but the vibe. It’s integrated, you know, a lot of different cultures here and then everybody’s chill.”

Mother’s Day: Alonna Blackburn, 20, (left) and parents Kaye and Robert Sweat pose for a Mother’s Day family portrait. Says Kaye: “I said, ‘Well, what do I want to do for Mother's Day?' I want to dance and feel free and be silly.’ ”

Guitar man: Christoper Pride, 27: “This is the first place that I’ve been to when I first got to Oakland and my wife brought me here.”