Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, California, just east of Downtown. It is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. It is historically significant as the United States’ first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870, and has been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1963, and on the National Register of Historic Places since 1966.
Places to Visit- Lake Merritt
The lake features grassy shores, several artificial islands intended as bird refuges and an interpretive center called the Rotary Nature Center at Lakeside Park. It has a boating center where sailboats, canoes and rowboats can be rented and classes are held. There is a fairy-tale themed amusement park called Children’s Fairyland. The Gardens at Lake Merritt is also inside Lakeside Park, it is a 7.5 acre garden which contains seven themed gardens (Japanese, Mediterranean, Bonsai and more) as well as community garden plots for growing food. The Gardens host the Autumn Lights Festival annually in late October, bringing over 100 artists to the garden with fabulous illuminated and digital art. A popular walking and jogging path runs along its Lake perimeter. The circumference of the lake is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) and its area is 155 acres.
From 1893 to 1915, Lake Merritt saw major changes. Inspired by the new City Beautiful movement which got its start at the World’s Columbian Exposition (Chicago World’s Fair), the lake became a city-owned park. In 1913 an elaborate Mission Revival pergola was constructed at the northeastern tip of the lake. Adam’s Point was cleared of houses, planted with lawns and imported trees and became Lakeside Park. Eastshore Park was created where East 18th Street brought Trestle Glen’s watershed to the lake. Oakland Civic Auditorium was built at the south edge of the lake in 1914.