Oakland Green Team Celebrates 10 Years of Community Projects
The Oakland Green Team is celebrating 10 years of beautification and community improvement projects throughout Oakland.
Residents and visitors may recognize the Green Team’s work through the beautiful black planters located on street corners throughout downtown Oakland. Each planter is planted and watered weekly by dedicated Green Team volunteers.
The Oakland Green Team was formed in 2016 as part of a revitalization effort led by the Oakland Heritage Community Foundation. Since then, the team has completed or continued a community improvement project every year. The Green Team is now part of the Oakland Main Street Steering Committee, where it supports ongoing efforts to keep downtown Oakland clean, welcoming and beautiful.
The team consists of Lisa Baker, Colleen Nordeck and Dawn Panther, with Karen Lauer assisting with watering the downtown planters.
During 2026, the Green Team has:
· Added handmade plant markers to the Native Plant Garden on Alder Street
· Planted and maintained 21 downtown planters
· Weeded, planted grass and spread mulch at the entrance to the Oakland Dog Park
· Begun refurbishing the bottle-cap mosaic originally created in 2018
The refurbished mosaic is expected to be completed before the Autumn Glory Festival.
“The Green Team is proud to celebrate 10 years of projects that have helped make Oakland a more beautiful and welcoming community,” said Lisa Baker, Green Team Chair. “We appreciate everyone who has volunteered, donated or supported our work throughout the years.”
The Green Team will join dozens of nonprofit organizations and community volunteers at the Tucker Community Foundation’s annual Run For It event on Saturday, September 26, in Davis, West Virginia.
Community members are invited to register for the 2K walk and select the Oakland Green Team as the organization they wish to support. Those who cannot attend in person may register to participate virtually or make a donation to support future Green Team projects. Online registration is available through September 20 at www.runsignup.com/Race/WV/Davis/RunForIt. Participants should select the Oakland Green Team when registering or donating. A portion of each registration fee and all donations designated for the Oakland Green Team will help fund future beautification and community improvement projects in Oakland.
About Oakland Main Street
Oakland Main Street works with local businesses, organizations, residents and volunteers to strengthen downtown Oakland through economic vitality, promotion, design, organization, and Clean, Safe & Green initiatives.