Preserving the Legacy of People’s Park

People’s Park was more than a physical location — it was a living ecosystem, a cultural landmark, and a sanctuary for creativity, activism, and community care. Even after its destruction, the spirit of the park endures in the work to preserve its materials, stories, and cultural impact.

The living ecosystem of People's Park, historically preserved.

Our Preservation Pillars

Material Preservation

Safeguarding the physical artifacts and organic elements salvaged from the park. We transform recovered wood and earth into sacred objects of remembrance.

Digital Archiving

Creating a digital sanctuary for the stories, photographs, and historical documents that define fifty years of community activism and radical care.

Community Support

Universal Community Today supports the park's legacy through: Harm reduction supplies Food distribution Student housing & food resources

Our Preservation Pillars

Join us in sustaining the growth of this cultural legacy.

Seed

$25

Foundation for archiving individual oral histories.

Sprout

$50

Provides materials for public community workshops.

Branch

$100

Supports the digital hosting of our massive media archive.

Canopy

$500

Funds major preservation projects for large park artifacts.

Guardian

$1000+

Sustaining partner for our long-term preservation goals.

Legal Aid Fund

We are currently raising $79,000 to fund ongoing legal actions to save the land of People’s Park. These funds ensure the historical and cultural significance of the park is represented fairly in the courts.

Community Calendar & Education

Educational initiatives and shared action to keep the spirit alive.

View All Events

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Dec 14-15

Telegraph Holiday Street Fair

Visit our booth for exclusive handcrafted legacy items and archival prints.
Telegraph Ave, Berkeley
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Every Tuesday

Housing Advisory Commission

Crucial public hearings regarding ongoing preservation efforts for the park land.
City Hall, Berkeley
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Educational Spotlight

Community Guerilla Gardening Study Forum

Collaborative Oxford project researching autonomous ecology stewardship.
Telegraph Ave, Berkeley

Handcrafted Items Made From the Park Itself

We transform salvaged materials—reclaimed oak, original park earth, and found artifacts—into physical objects that hold the weight of history. Each piece is unique and supports our mission.

Woodcraft: Bowls and carvings from downed oaks.

Artifacts: Framed archival prints and relics.

The Maker & The Vision

Our lead artisan, Ian Hunt, has spent decades at the intersection of woodworking and activism. His journey with People’s Park began as a community gardener, learning the grain of the park’s oaks before they were downed. Today, he preserves that spirit by hand-turning every bowl and crafting every relic, ensuring that the physical matter of the park remains in the hands of the community it served.

“Every piece of wood from the park tells a story of resistance and growth. My job is simply to let that story be heard.”

Community Spotlight

Local Artist Showcase

Featuring rotating monthly works from Berkeley artists who use the park's history as their canvas. This month: Mural studies by Sarah Chen.

View Current Gallery

Member Spotlight

Meet the "Guardians" of the park. This month we celebrate Marcus G., a lifelong resident who has volunteered 500+ hours to the Digital Archiving project.

Read the Stories

Join the Community

Stay rooted in our progress. Sign up for monthly updates on preservation efforts, legal news, and new shop arrivals.