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Oakland Prepares to Support Large Crowds at Lake Merritt on Juneteenth <\/p>\n
Published on June 16, 2026<\/p>\n
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Oakland, CA – With\u00a0large crowds\u00a0anticipated\u00a0at Lake Merritt for\u00a0the\u00a0upcoming\u00a0Juneteenth\u00a0holiday on\u00a0Friday,\u00a0June 19th,\u00a0the City of Oakland\u00a0will\u00a0implement temporary safety measures\u00a0to enable\u00a0the public to\u00a0gather\u00a0and\u00a0enjoy\u00a0the\u00a0festivities.\u00a0The goal of these steps is to safely accommodate large numbers of visitors to the\u00a0Lake\u00a0so\u00a0everyone feels welcome and safe, and to ensure emergency vehicle\u00a0and transit\u00a0access.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
At Lake Merritt on summer weekends and holidays, traffic and parking congestion along the narrow Lakeshore Avenue\u00a0remains\u00a0a safety priority. Unsafe conditions include when cars are double- and triple-parked,\u00a0creating significant traffic jams and, of greatest concern, impeding access for emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances. Too many\u00a0vehicles\u00a0in too little space\u00a0create the need for\u00a0temporary street closures to\u00a0ensure\u00a0emergency services\u00a0can be delivered\u00a0to people at or around the Lake as swiftly as possible\u00a0and that participants can access public transit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Residents\u00a0who live\u00a0along affected streets will be allowed vehicle access through the road closures. Emergency vehicles, AC Transit buses\u00a0and\u00a0East Bay Paratransit\u00a0vehicles will also be allowed access.\u00a0Businesses coordinating deliveries along affected streets are advised to plan accordingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Traffic barriers allowing pedestrian access to the Lake will be placed around Lake Merritt.\u00a0Bicycles will be allowed through these barriers.\u00a0The\u00a0City\u00a0is not planning to place fencing around the Lake.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Juneteenth is a parking meter holiday; the Lake Park Parking Lot under\u00a0I-580 has approximately 150 spaces, which on non-holiday weekdays are\u00a0often largely\u00a0available.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0City\u00a0encourages those who\u00a0are able to\u00a0use AC Transit, BART, ride share, and\/or bike share, to access Lake Merritt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
City\u00a0Code Enforcement and OPD’s Alcoholic Beverage Action Team (ABAT) will be on site at Lake Merritt\u00a0on\u00a0Friday to address illegal vending.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Juneteenth: June 19 Road Closures\u00a0at Lake Merritt\u00a0<\/p>\n
On\u00a0Friday, June 19\u00a0from\u00a06\u00a0a.m. until\u00a08\u00a0p.m., the following\u00a0road restrictions\u00a0will be in effect:\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Closed between MacArthur Blvd\u00a0and East 18th St.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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No parking will be\u00a0permitted\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The following streets will be closed at Lakeshore Ave: Beacon St, Boden Way, Brooklyn Ave, Wayne Ave, Hanover Ave, and the Lakeshore Ave\u00a0cul-de-sac.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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El Embarcadero\u2014Closed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Closed between MacArthur Boulevard and Euclid Ave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The following streets will be closed at Grand Ave: Perkins St,\u00a0Ellita Ave, Staten Ave, and Bellevue Ave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Bellevue will be restricted to residents only from Perkins\u00a0St\u00a0to Grand Ave, and visitors to Children\u2019s Fairyland. These restrictions will improve traffic safety and allow for greater access for park visitors, bicyclists, and pedestrians around this narrow section of Lake Merritt. They will also allow for emergency vehicle access when needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The following streets will be closed at MacArthur Blvd.: Grand Ave,\u00a0Lakeshore Ave, and Beacon St.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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