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These photos from 2014-2015, courtesy of Ms. Burger, show students the Live Oak Pool at a happier time.
But now, in 2026, the Live Oak Pool is essentially unusable. (Photos by Zhe Huang)
Live_Oak_Pool_Survey_Results_v2.pdfBased on nearly 500 responses, survey results from August 2026 indicate that the pool's closure negatively impacts Oakland youth's ability to learn how to swim.
To submit your perspective, fill out the survey using the links below:
What's up with the Live Oak Pool?
Our full interview with Alex Park
What's up with the Live Oak Pool?
Our full interview with Alex Park
While researching our story about the Live Oak Pool for Issue #2 (out 10/8/26), Aegis staff spoke with Alex Park, OHS parent and current President of the Oakland High Parent Teacher Organization. This interview was conducted on Sept. 24, 2026. The text of this interview has been edited for clarity.
The Aegis: What is your personal stake in the Live Oak Pool? How is this affecting you personally?
Alex Park: For me, as a parent, my oldest daughter [in the class of 2024] was able to use the pool for PE and that actually was amazing because she had bad knees, and it was really hard for her to get exercise otherwise. So having that available for PE was [invaluable]. She actually had surgery on both her knees three times [total]. So that is one aspect.
The other aspect is that I work with a nonprofit that works with youth called Oakland Trybe. And there was an intern who had worked with us, and not this past summer but the summer before, he drowned in Sacramento.
From the archives: "Pool reconstruction in sight"
From the archives: "Pool reconstruction in sight"
By Lily Wong | Feb. 21, 1990
Repairs to the Live Oak Memorial Pool are not scheduled to be finished this school year — leaving the Oakland High Swim Team with difficulties practicing for the OAL because of the inaccessibility of their own school pool.
Councilwoman Mary Moore, Principal Joanne Grimm, and the Directors of Parks and Recreation are scheduling a meeting to discuss the plans for resuming the renovation of the pool.
The pool has been out of use since the second semester of last year as a result of a collapsed heater. The heater has been repaired, but Coach Pam Strong of the Oakland High Swim Team says filter pumps are broken and there might be the possibility of a leak in the pool.
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