There is an area on Bay Farm Island that no one ever talks about. It is situated southeast on the island bordering the public golf course. If you head directly east into the area, one of the first houses you'll see has an old-style satellite dish that is almost as tall as the one story ranch-style house it services. My uncle used to affectionately call that type of dish the "West Virginia State Flower."
This is an area where every house looks different; clearly untainted by anal HOA (Home Owners' Association) standards. One can actually install a screen door on one's front door without receiving a nasty-gram about HOA "aesthetics." One can park an RV on the street, or even in their driveway, unlike the rest of the island. No one would dare say "Boo" if you wanted to put a whole flock of pink plastic flamingos in your front yard and on top of your roof. I like this area immensely. It gets me deeply in touch with my Inner White Trash.
Every summer, Alameda Parks and Recreation Department offers various summer camps. The typical summer daycare mainstay for working parents with children in the first through fifth grades is called the "WOW" camp. The "World of Wonder" camps take place in various public parks throughout Alameda. This is where I sent my older two kids until they graduated to the Alameda Parks and Rec. "Teen Center." This is also currently where I send my soon-to-be-in-first grade wild child.
The Godfrey Park WOW is the only WOW held on Bay Farm Island and is located in the neighborhood I described above. The ARPD staff working there is wonderful and the park is a very peaceful place. There are climbing structures and a playing field. The park "club house" has a fully equipped kitchen and a general meeting room where the kids do arts and crafts.
Some day, you might see me parked near the park in my future RV sporting a mullet and eating potato chips and sour cream dip as I sip on my bottled wine cooler. And I'll fit right in the neighborhood. So what are *you* looking at? read more