Carmen Flores Recreation Center: Josie De La Cruz Park

This park used to be named Sanborn Park.

In the 1980's the park was going through tough times: gangs, drug dealers, drug addicts began hanging out at the park, even in the day time. Many families and children avoided the park.

In the late 1990's the park was rebuilt and renamed. A new recreation center was built along with a soccer field, basket ball courts and an area for children to play. Now Josie De La Cruz Park is filled with children and families and people playing ball once again.

The community center and park are named after the late Oakland residents and community activists Carmen Flores and Josie D. de la Cruz, who provided leadership to the Fruitvale community in areas of health, education and culture.

The Carmen Flores Recreation Center is located in the heart of Oakland’s Fruitvale district. Diverse recreational programs are offered at low cost for tiny tots, youth, teens, adults and seniors. The center and park feature an industrial sized kitchen, multipurpose room, fully equipped computer lab and an artificial multipurpose field. Current renovations to the park include full basketball court, new entry way, a track, lighting, and landscaping which was completed in Fall 2011. We have a team of bilingual staff and a friendly atmosphere. Our programs are designed to expose our community to new activities that help participants find their passion in life. Oakland is our playground, so Come Out and Play the OPR Way!

Facility and Park amenities include; Industrial size kitchen, multipurpose room, meeting room space, computer lab, stage, basketball courts, artificial turf multipurpose field with lights, and community garden.