Readers speak out against the proposed surf park on Alameda Point
To the Editor:
Golden Gate Bird Alliance applauds the direction of the City of Alameda’s shoreline sea level rise adaptation planning with an emphasis on nature-based solutions. We were dismayed to learn that the City is entertaining a proposal to locate a surf pool in one of the shoreline areas slated for adaptive redesign at Alameda Point.
The City’s Sea Level Rise Planning Fair on September 27, 2025 included options for adapting the southern shoreline of Alameda Point. The open space area known as Enterprise Park, where the surf pool park is proposed, includes an option described as “Inland levee with park improvements.” A detailed drawing showing an “Ecotone levee with tidal terrace” states that “A potential alternative approach moves the levee inland and integrates adaptation with park improvements.” It also denotes an area for stormwater detention identified in the City’s infrastructure plans.
Locating a permanent commercial pool facility in this area today goes against the intentions and purpose of the adaptation planning.
Park elements such as native upland habitat revegetation and intertidal ecosystem enhancements would be better suited to provide not only climate change adaptation, but also nature-based recreation and enjoyment for park visitors. A surf park proposal for private and paid recreational use in this public park is discordant with the value of offering all Alameda residents and its neighbors access to nature and public spaces.
The park has the potential to be an important bird and wildlife habitat, including part of a connective wildlife corridor through a park design and community visioning process. Without a public process to solicit feedback from the community, neither our interests nor the greater Alameda community’s interests and vision for the site can be heard before the approval of this very narrow and private use.
Sincerely,
Glenn Phillips
Executive Director, Golden Gate Bird Alliance
To the Editor:
I’m concerned about the planning process and potential impacts to wildlife and public access for the proposed surf park at Alameda Point. There doesn’t seem to have been a robust planning process carried out to determine if a surf park is the best use of the land for the community and how it might impact birds and wildlife of the area. There may be other uses better suited to the area that would enhance public use of the shoreline and better support birds and wildlife. At this point, it would be premature to discuss a lease deal with the surf park developer until a planning process that includes the community and considers wildlife needs and impacts is carried out.
Sharol Nelson-Embry
To the Editor:
I’m writing because I am concerned about the idea of a surf park being placed in some of our last remaining open land near the shore. From what I can see, the City Council has taken up this matter and is seriously considering this surf park plan. This is a concern for me because we don’t have a strategic plan for our shoreline yet. There’s been discussion of creating a strategic plan, but we do not have one yet. We should not be making decisions about our shoreline until we have a plan in place.
The community, including the immediate neighborhood, has not had a chance to really chime in on the idea of this park being in their neighborhood, nor have the citizens of Alameda had a chance to really consider this plan.
I’ve been starting to better understand the impacts of climate change on our island community, and as far as I can see, the surf park does the opposite of mitigating the effects of climate change. Instead of preserving vegetation habitat, which could mitigate some of the effects of climate change, it builds upon land near our shore.
Additionally, the surf park doesn’t have to be right on the shore. There’s plenty of already paved land that could be used for this project at Alameda Point. Why would we give up open shoreline space for something like a surf park? We should keep all the open space we have, and utilize some of the land on the base that is already paved over if the community wants a surf park.
I’m writing to share my concerns and hopefully get more of the community engaged and aware of the City plan to consider the surf park on some of the last remaining open space near our shore in Alameda.
Sincerely,
Patricia Williamson, Retired Alameda Environmental Science teacher
To the Editor:
The proposed surf park at Alameda Point needs further discussion and community input. The concern is the planned facility is very limited in its scope. A broader, more inclusive improvement of the area will have long term appeal to the general public and wildlife. The area is better suited to enhance the existing natural habitat, shoreline activities, and the Bay Trail.
Rick Lewis
To the Editor:
I question the integrity of the planning process for the proposed surf park at Alameda Point. The City appears to have not followed standard procedures that would take into account both the actual needs of the community and the potential for negative impacts on the many birds and wildlife that live in the area. Before any plans for such a park go forward, I urge the City to hire a professional consultant to facilitate community workshops to come up with a plan that best supports and sustains the shoreline for all, including resident birds and wildlife.
Deborah Crooks
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