Thursday, December 6, 2012

Maxwell Park Neighborhood in Oakland

Maxwell Park Neighborhood in Oakland

Maxwell Park is one of the most architecturally diverse neighborhoods in Oakland. The community was created in the 1920s, just west of Mills College below Highway 580. The architecture is a charming mix of period bungalows and single-family homes with old world touches. But, there is a wide mix of architectural styles, thanks to developer John Maxwell’s mandate that the new homes “must bear the stamp of artistic individuality.” Additionally, thanks to the rolling hills, many of the homes have beautiful views of the bay.

Maxwell Park is also a very motivated and organized community, thanks to the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council. The group organizes beautification projects, neighborhood walks, the annual Day in the Park Festival. The helpful website also has everything you need to know about the neighborhood, along with great article about the history of Maxwell Park.

In addition to being so close to Mills College, Maxwell Park is also convenient to the Fruitvale, Laurel, and Glenview districts for great restaurants and shopping. AC Transit Line 14 will take you right to Fruitvale BART for easy commuting. And, if your commute takes you up in the air, Oakland Airport is just minutes away.

One of the more colorful parts of Maxwell Park history is the fact that martial arts superstar Bruce Lee called the neighborhood home for a couple of years in the 1960s. He lived on Monticello Avenue with his family and ran a martial arts school with his partner, where they developed the Jeet Kune Do style that made him famous.