Oakland Playground for Motorcyclists

Touring over the hills and trails, three Oakland MC members enjoy the natural terrain. From the rear: Bob Vargas, Stan Wilner, Bob Smith and Bud Dutot.

Panoramic view of the park-playground. Trails extend over the top and down the other side of the farthest hill. Plans for extension are in the wind.

 

Oakland Playground FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

Dan Strong of Oakland steams over the
top of the popular practice hill on his HD KH.

By Bud Dutot

As Told to Walter Nightingale

Photos by Harrington & Osborn, Oakland
 

THE East Bay cities of Greater Oakland have a system of parks extending almost twenty miles in the Oakland hill area called the East Bay Regional Parks. Under the able direction of Mr. Richard E. Walpole, the Park Board has developed this area with picnic grounds, horse trails, swimming pools, play grounds, and many other varied facilities. In 1952 the Park Board acquired a ten-square-mile area known as the Grass Valley tract, above East Oakland. Bud Dutot, representing the Oakland Motorcycle Club, approached Mr. Walpole with a proposal for a motorcycle playground.

Bud Dutot "ring ding-ing" over the top
of the practice hill on his H-D 165.

Mr. Walpole, realizing the need of such a playground, presented this proposal to the Park Board and to the local Horsemen's Association, and got their approval. The Oakland Motorcycle Club, because of their fine organization and their hundred percent membership in the A. V. P., had the approval of the Oakland Police Department and the city fathers, for their playground.

In November of 1953, after more than a year of preliminary work, Bud Dutot formed a committee of Oakland Motorcycle members. Together with Windy Lindstrom and John Nelson, member of the Oakland Acorns, Mr. Dutot met with Mr. Walpole and his Grass Valley superintendent, Mr. Adams, to lay out a section for use by the Motorcycle Club. Cutting of trails and posting of signs began in the spring and the park was opened to motorcycles in mid-June. The area, although rather small - one-quarter mile wide and a little over two miles long - will be expanded soon. There are now about six miles of trails, and a practice hill and picnic grounds are soon to be made.

Bob Smith tops hill on his Triumph.

A new Oakland club - The Rough Riders, represented by Art Mattos - has joined the Oakland and Acorn Clubs, to further develop the playground.

These three clubs join in thanking the East Bay Regional Park Board, and in particular, Mr. Richard Walpole, for their great contribution to a truly great sport.

Group of cyclists ready to enjoy new playground for motorcycles. Sign reads "For Motorcycle Use Only".

article image found on Ebay, 1954, unknown title