| CITY of OAKLAND |  |
| Zac Unger COUNCILMEMBER – DISTRICT ONE | |
| CITY HALL ONE FRANK OGAWA PLAZA 2nd FLOOR OAKLAND, CA 94612 | |
| (510) 238-7001 zunger@oaklandca.gov | |
Dear Neighbors,
The Rose Garden is an oasis of calm in a chaotic world. It’s a place for quiet reflection, a laugh with friends, a moment in the shade with a great book. In a way it’s a microcosm of Oakland as a whole, the way residents and visitors alike can stumble on an unexpected bit of beauty anywhere they go in our town.
I’ve been a fan of the Rose Garden as a place to go to re-center myself. Whenever I walk up the broad steps and catch my first glimpse of flowers in bloom I feel enlivened and hopeful. Even in winter, the bare stems offer the promise of renewal if we can teach ourselves to be patient.
I have fond memories of picnicking in the Rose Garden when I was in high school, talking for hours about what we wanted out of life. And now, over the past few years, I’ve found myself there again with my own kids, taking photos on prom night like generations of Oakland’s have done before. It’s a spot that makes you think about your place in the world, and how each one of us can play our art to grow and nurture the kind of community we want to live in.
Your Councilmember,
Zac Unger
