The Future of People’s Park panel discussion was presented online by the People’s Park Historic Advocacy Group with Berkeley community members on February 26, 2021. Here’s a video of the discussion, archived on the People’s Park YouTube channel.
Presenters:
- Harvey Smith – author of “Berkeley and the New Deal”, People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group (event host)
- Tom Dalzell – author of “The Battle for People’s Park Berkeley 1969”, “Quirky Berkeley” series, union leader, lawyer
- Steve Wasserman – Participant and Activist during 1969, publisher of Heyday Books, career in publishing, editing and writing
- Maxina Ventura – member of People’s Park Council (formerly Committee), Homeopath, environmental activist
- Aidan Hill – Former Berkeley Mayoral Candidate, UCB Student/Graduate, candidate for District 7
- Joe Liesner – long-time People’s Park activist, Food Not Bombs volunteer
Participants:
- Joseph Copeland – raised near People’s Park, son of “People‘s Park” author Alan Copeland
- Chuck Wollenberg – People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group, Berkeley historian
- David L. Axelrod – attorney at law, Sierra Law Office
UC Berkeley plans to build a high rise on People’s Park, which would destroy the historic and cultural legacy and an irreplaceable natural environment, has brought together writers, historians, students and park activists to oppose this ill-considered project.
Presenters share the historic background of the park, give details on the effort to recognize its national landmark status (**formally received this status May 2022), and share plans for revitalizing this invaluable public green, open space.
Event Transcript (text format)
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Future-of-Peoples-Park-February-26-2021-Event-Transcript.txt
Event Chat (text format)
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Future-of-Peoples-Park-February-26-2021-Event-Chat.txt
People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group
https://peoplesparkhxdist.org
People’s Park website
https://peoplespark.org