Community Democracy
Neighborhood Survey & Dialogue Information
Thank you for your input
Tell us about your priorities in an interactive neighborhood survey:
Join us on Oct 1 to hear about the results
Neighborhood Values
Caring & Connected
We foster a community where greetings are shared freely on the streets, where every meal is an opportunity to bond, and where everyone is considered a friendly neighbor.
Safety for All
Safety is our priority, encompassing traffic precautions, personal security, and creating a trustworthy environment for both residents and businesses.
Mutually-Supportive
Our neighborhood thrives on mutual support and hospitality, always being responsive and helpful, ensuring no one feels left out.
Diversity & Belonging
We actively celebrate our community’s cultural, generational, and individual diversity, creating an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone.
Thriving
Engagement and vibrancy define our neighborhood. We support local businesses, host engaging events, and maintain a beautiful, clean, and green environment.
Neighborhood Culture (Events & Gatherings)
Emergency Preparedness
Neighborhood Beautification (Art Projects)
Neighborhood Beautification (Trash and Clean-Up)
Housing & Unhoused
Business Relations (Street Fair 7/13)
Crime & Justice
Traffic & Roads
Parks & Schools
Sign-up here to tell us what you’re interested in:
Previous Neighborhood Polis Survey
Between March and May of 2024, Temescal Neighbors ran a Polis survey in our neighborhood to get the answer to this question:
"What makes Temescal a great place to live, work, & study,
and how can it be improved??"
and how can it be improved??"
167 neighbors participated in the survey and contributed 136 comments for others to vote on.
Neighborhood Dialogue
We learned a lot from the data (below), and it fed the All-Temescal Neighborhood Dialogue on May 7.
31 neighbors participated in the dialogue. We created a draft of our community values, and people coalesced around multiple topics of interest. It's not too late to get involved. Sign up here to join one of the topic groups.
Note: This Google folder has dialogue notes, group information, and survey data. bit.ly/temescalsurvey1
Schedule: Community Democracy Project Events are currently on the 1st Tuesday of ODD-numbered months: January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Most Common Words from Survey:
Survey Results
(Slide Presentation):
(Slide Presentation):
Neighborhood Democracy Project
In addition to the standard meetings, Temescal Neighbors is exploring democratic innovations to deepen engagement and community belonging.
This began with our use of a deliberative polling platform, Polis, for a neighborhood survey and followed it with a neighborhood dialogue to discuss the results. These events generated a lot of interest in a number of topic groups.
From here, we are forming groups around the topics where there is energy and attention. We will continue curating and nurturing neighborhood interest groups, lending mutual-support when needed.
Going forward, we will periodically use Polis, dialogue and other formats to deepen our conversations and/or make complex decisions together. There are many ways to improve our deliberations and we hope to continue exploring them with you together.
Schedule: Democracy Project Events are currently on the 1st Tuesday of ODD-numbered months: January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Executive Summary (Survey)
Summary of Survey Results (May 5)
The Polis conversation, "What makes Temescal a great place to live, work & study, and how can it be improved?", generated 135 statements from 152 participants, revealing a diverse range of perspectives and ideas. The statements were organized into the following main categories:
Traffic & Roads (24 statements)
Safety & Justice (14 statements)
Neighborhood Culture (19 statements)
Business (9 statements)
Housing & Unhoused (8 statements)
Beautification (14 statements)
The conversation also covered other topics such as Public Safety, City Services, Emergency Preparedness, Schools, and specific Project Proposals.
Key Findings
Traffic & Roads
Participants expressed a strong desire for improved road conditions and traffic calming measures. Popular ideas included fixing potholes, repaving streets (particularly 49th Street and Shafter), installing speed bumps and roundabouts, and prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety. While there was broad agreement on the need for better infrastructure, opinions varied on balancing the needs of different road users, with some advocating for the removal of bike lanes on Telegraph if they impede emergency vehicles.
Safety & Justice
Public safety emerged as a primary concern, with participants advocating for increased police presence, community policing, and better relationships with law enforcement. Some called for more patrols and quicker response times, while others emphasized addressing the root causes of crime. Despite differing opinions on the best approach, there was a strong consensus on the need for everyone to feel safe in the community.
Neighborhood Culture
Participants highly valued Temescal's unique character, diversity, and strong sense of community. They expressed a desire for more community-building initiatives, such as neighborhood events, street parties, art walks, and communal spaces. While there was a general sense of welcoming and belonging, some saw room for improvement in making the community more inclusive for all.
Business
Supporting local businesses was a key priority, with ideas such as creating a Temescal Business Discount card and organizing more street fairs to promote the local economy. Participants also expressed concerns about commercial vacancies and the need for business improvement initiatives.
Housing & Unhoused
Affordable housing and support for unhoused neighbors emerged as critical issues. Many participants highlighted the need for more affordable and market-rate housing, suggesting the development of empty lots on Telegraph. There was also a strong call for resources and outreach services for the homeless camp on 42nd Street, with an emphasis on compassion and recognizing them as part of the community.
Beautification
Participants widely supported initiatives to enhance the cleanliness and appearance of Temescal. Popular proposals included addressing litter and graffiti, planting trees and native vegetation, and revitalizing vacant or neglected properties. Specific ideas ranged from organizing monthly trash cleanups to maintaining murals and landscaping medians.
Project Proposals & Other Topics
The conversation generated numerous project proposals, including:
Developing a neighborhood emergency preparedness plan
Installing a public bathroom in Temescal with proper maintenance
Creating a First Friday or Thursday art walk on Telegraph
Establishing a community bulletin board for local events and opportunities
Organizing a neighborhood babysitting listserv and mom meetups
Advocating for a dog park in the neighborhood
Utilizing the Studio One art center for community meetups and events
Installing a clean, accessible playground for families
Other topics included:
City Services, Emergency Preparedness, and Schools.
Neighborhood Dialogue Notes (May 7)
Survey Data (Updated May 16th)
Neighborhood Survey Detailed Summary (May 7)
Neighborhood Improvement and Community Building Proposals (From Survey)
Interest Group Descriptions
Neighborhood Culture - Events & Gatherings
Organizing community street parties, food drives, toy drives, art walks, and casual meetups at local venues. Planning events like "Taste of Temescal" to showcase local businesses and culture.
Emergency Preparedness
Developing neighborhood emergency plans, organizing training sessions, and creating communication networks for crises. Collaborating with CORE (Communities of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) for community resilience.
Neighborhood Beautification
Art Projects: Commissioning murals, organizing art walks, and supporting local artists to enhance the visual appeal of the neighborhood.
Trash Clean-Up: Coordinating regular neighborhood clean-ups, addressing illegal dumping, and maintaining public spaces.
Trees, Plants & Landscaping: Tree planting initiatives, creating community gardens, and landscaping neglected areas to green the neighborhood.
Housing & Unhoused
Advocating for affordable housing, conducting outreach to unhoused neighbors, and connecting people with resources. Developing strategies to address homelessness in the community.
Business Relations
Supporting local businesses, organizing promotional events like street fairs, and facilitating communication between businesses and residents. Creating initiatives to encourage local shopping.
Traffic & Roads
Advocating for road improvements, implementing traffic calming measures, and enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety. Engaging with city officials on infrastructure projects.
Parks & Schools
Improving local parks, supporting schools, and organizing family-friendly events. Working on projects like creating new playgrounds and strengthening community-school connections.
Crime & Justice
Developing community policing initiatives, implementing crime prevention programs, and advocating for justice reform. Creating systems to keep residents informed about local safety issues.
Public Safety
Improving street lighting, organizing self-defense classes, and creating safe spaces for community gatherings. Conducting safety audits and implementing measures to enhance neighborhood security.
Neighborhood Outreach
Welcoming new residents, increasing community engagement, and spreading awareness about Temescal Neighbors initiatives. Developing strategies to reach and involve more community members in local activities.