{NEIGHBORHOOD APPEARANCE}
A critically important aspect of a neighborhood’s quality is its appearance. Well maintained yards and houses facing neat, tree-lined streets generate pride among residents and increases property values and investment. Sometimes, older residents, or those who are disabled or less affluent, have greater difficulty keeping up with property maintenance. In such cases, neighbors can often help out. This not only changes the physical appearance of the place but enhances relationships which strengthen the neighborhood even more. The cities can significantly support these efforts through pavement maintenance, street trees, graffiti abatement, and housing rehabilitation programs. Besides these physical improvements, increased cooperation and interaction within and among neighborhoods is critical to better public safety in residential areas. Those complimentary programs are discussed below.



{Neighborhood Appearance}

{Neighborhood Appearance}

{Neighborhood Appearance}
 Recommended Actions

1. The cities of Oakland and San Leandro will sponsor a neighborhood clean up day at least once during the year. This clean up day may be in conjunction with established programs such as “Christmas in April.” Elements of such a clean up day may include, but are not limited to, targeted yard work and painting for homeowners who are elderly or disabled; free disposal of junk, old furniture or unused appliances; free removal of abandoned vehicles. The cities will request affected neighborhood associations to co-sponsor and publicize these events.


2. The cities of Oakland and San Leandro will review their respective graffiti abatement programs to see if greater efficiency and/or effectiveness can be realized by joint programs. In particular, San Leandro will consider participation in Oakland’s “Stop Graffiti” fair at which vendors showcase various anti-graffiti products.


3. The cities of Oakland and San Leandro will inventory existing street trees in the residential neighborhoods near the city limits and identify specific locations where additional tree planting would be beneficial. A schedule for planting will then be established. To the extent practical, tree planting programs should include opportunities for volunteerism, both in terms of tree donations and labor, from the neighborhood.


4. The cities of Oakland and San Leandro will identify opportunities for the display of children’s art in public places near the city limits and will develop a series of programs to solicit art from children from both cities.
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jmc 08/31/98