On the Littlejohn Park controversy
To the Editor:
( Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to Alameda Community, Mayor, and City Council. It is published here at the author’s request and has been edited for length.)
I grew up on this island and am now raising my children here. I am a taxpaying, law-abiding, lifelong resident of Alameda, and I seem to have missed the memo that living next to a park that the entire community pays to maintain comes with special privileges not afforded to others.
Alameda has always been a place where neighbors coexist with the rhythms of community life. Kids playing, families gathering, and parks being used in ways that are sometimes loud, crowded, and inconvenient. That’s not a flaw in the system. It’s the system working.
Recent concerns surrounding Littlejohn Park deserve to be heard but also put into perspective. I live on High Street, where my backyard fence meets Krusi Park. Parking around here is already heavily impacted, and there’s a regular soundtrack of amplified music and large gatherings at picnic tables just feet from our home. Yet I am completely unaware of any Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that grants nearby residents special protection from noise, parking congestion, or enthusiasm for public park use.
During softball season, Littlejohn fields are full, streets are crowded, and families are doing their best to make it all work. I know how important these programs are. I’m not aware of any MOU that shields nearby residents from this activity, even as they juggle park traffic layered on top of school congestion. Apparently, no one has yet proposed a rotating schedule of silence or a resident-only parking force field.
As a constant attendant to swim practice at Franklin, which brings a steady mix of traffic, parking strain, and overlapping uses, I’m unaware of any special MOU that grants surrounding residents unique privileges or insulation from the realities of shared public spaces. And with upcoming renovation at Otis, the reality is that park usage across the island is only going to intensify.
If increased usage at Littlejohn warrants special agreements, what happens when that pressure spreads elsewhere? Will we see a patchwork of MOUs or will we acknowledge that this is a citywide challenge that calls for consistent expectations?
It would be in the best interest of residents and City Council to consider that our parks were never intended to function as quiet buffers for the few who live closest to them. They exist for the whole community. For the sound of laughing, happy children. For kids building confidence, discipline, and connection through sports and shared activities. That’s the return on investment this city has always claimed for public spaces.
Nobody wants blocked driveways, rude behavior, or sidewalks that are standing-room-only viewing decks. But special rights for nearby residents shifts our parks from community assets to selectively managed zones based on proximity and volume of complaint.
Alameda’s parks are not extensions of private property lines. They are shared spaces. We can and should expect respectful behavior. Thoughtful parking, clear walkways, reasonable noise, and basic courtesy are reasonable asks. But they should be consistent across all parks in Alameda, not tailored park-by-park for who lives closest.
Respectfully,
Danitt Smiler Mooningham
The Rotary Club of Alameda’s impact, both locally and beyond
To the Editor:
Many in Alameda are familiar with the Rotary Club of Alameda’s impact close to home. Each year, members volunteer at local events such as the Alameda Art & Wine Fair, the West End Art District’s Blues, Brews & BBQ, Alameda Recreation & Park Department’s Spring Fling, and Scouting for Food with local Scouts. They participate in monthly coastal cleanups and lithium-ion battery recycling events, raise funds for scholarships that support Alameda youth, and provide tens of thousands of dollars annually in grants to local nonprofits.
But what many may not realize is that Alameda Rotary’s reach extends far beyond the island.
Rotary is a global network, and the Rotary Club of Alameda is one of more than 46,000 clubs worldwide working together through Rotary International to create lasting change. This connection allows local efforts to be amplified into global impact.
Over the past year, the Alameda club has been actively involved in several international initiatives. Among its longest-standing commitments is support for COANIQUEM, a Chilean organization that provides free burn treatment and rehabilitation services to children and families. The partnership reflects Rotary’s broader focus on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
In 2024, our club led a Rotary Global Grant effort, collaborating with partner clubs to raise more than $50,000. These funds were used to purchase two tractors for a rural region in southern Ethiopia. That investment is already improving agricultural productivity, strengthening economic stability, and contributing to malaria prevention efforts.
Beyond projects we lead, we also support initiatives spearheaded by other Rotary clubs around the world. This past year included contributing to a maternal health project in Nepal, with additional partnerships underway in India and Ethiopia.
Alameda Rotarians also travel to project sites, witnessing firsthand the difference these efforts make. These experiences deepen understanding, strengthen global partnerships, and reinforce the purpose behind the work.
Our international work is powered through a variety of funding mechanisms. Funding comes from direct member donations to specific projects, a portion of annual member dues, the Alameda Rotary Endowment Fund, and matching funds from Rotary International Foundation. These matching funds are based on contributions made by the club members to the International Foundation in the previous three years. This model allows local giving to be amplified into larger, more sustainable international impact.
While the Rotary Club of Alameda remains deeply rooted in local service, its international efforts reflect the broader vision of Rotary: together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Those interested in learning more can explore the club’s projects, events, and ongoing initiatives on the Rotary Club of Alameda website, where recent activities and upcoming programs are regularly highlighted. Community members are also welcome to attend a meeting or local event to gain a firsthand sense of the club’s work and connections within Alameda. Additional information or questions can be directed to the club via email at [email protected].
Meghan Noonan
Editorials and Letters to the Editor
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