MAY 09, 2013 | BY JC MILLER

 

Whenever possible, our Saturday mornings include a walk around Oakland’s Lake Merritt and a stop at the Grand Lake Farmers Market at Splash Pad Park. During the week the park, which was renovated a number of years ago, is a pleasant urban oasis tucked partially under an overhead section of the 580 freeway. It really comes into its own on the days when the market sets up and the space is filled with people, music, bountiful produce and flower stands, and food vendors. As a landscape architect I can attest that this vibrant scene is the result that you hope for when designing and renovating parks and public spaces.

One of the best parts of the show is the arrival of the crew from Bicycle Coffee, a local enterprise with an admirable mission; “We roast quality coffee, grown by sustainable farms, and deliver it by bicycle.” Beyond a unique business model they have designed and fabricated some really clever equipment to support the operation. The group rolls up and—in a surprisingly short period of time—they transform bike trailers into a mobile coffee shop. The set up routine is impressive and it demonstrates a thoughtfulness that is also reflected in their great coffee and even the logo and graphics that can be had on paraphernalia for sale. The ceramic drip coffee cone that they make is a nice piece of work. Clearly design is an important component of their strategy.