You've probably heard the theory that walking 10,000 steps a day is great exercise. Sometimes, it can be more than that. It can be about exploring new -- and perhaps re-discovering old and familiar areas -- especially if you're talking about downtown Oakland. 

When you think of downtown Oakland, you probably don't think of green. But you soon will, especially if you visit the multi-media exhibit starting tomorrow at Pro Arts/Oakland art gallery.

Based on an idea developed by Sue Mark and Bruce Douglas, a wife-husband team of cultural researchers and artists, the Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation, local community groups, and some activist residents launched the 10,000 Steps project last year. They also got a bit of help Oakland Parks and Recreation. The eventual goal of the project: to connect Oaklanders to downtown’s green spaces and their history. 

“We wanted to better understand how people are using the parks.  To do this, we needed to really work with the communities surrounding the parks as well as spend time in and around the parks,” said Sue Mark. “The project unfolded through phases:  we observed the parks during a previous project called WE Riders, one in which we rode around Oakland on our tandem bike asking people where they thought West and East Oakland are.”

Three years after the idea was born, and a year into the project, the people behind 10,000 Steps are ready to share the stories they've collected along the way as they celebrate the completion of the first phase of what they call "green art stewardship."

In other words, they've been helping their neighbors and fellow Oaklanders appreciate downtown’s parks and their storied past. “We decided to focus on downtown Oakland's parks because these have an important history:  when the city was originally designed in the 1800s, these parks were designated as the green cornerstones of the 'new' urban plan,” said Sue. “There were originally 7 parks; five now remain, with one, Harrison, being used primarily as a day time senior center.”  

It’s a smart project, and the people behind it realize that parks are often the spaces where communities are built and bonds between neighbors strengthened. The website has a list of the needs of each park covered in the project -- Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln and Madison. If you’d like to contribute to the project in any way or embark on a self-guided tour of the four parks, write to info@10000stepsoakland.org 

The exhibit begins tomorrow at Pro Arts in the Oakland Art Gallery in Frank Ogawa Plaza and continues through October 9. The events below are part of the month-long celebration.
 

The little green cart that takes the park to the people.

Thursday, September 17: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Artists Reception

Friday, September 18: 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Tai Chi Class
An all-levels class taught at the gallery by Lincoln Recreation Center's Mr. Wong 
Free

Saturday, September 19: 11 to 1 p.m. Oakland's Historic Town Squares

Oakland Heritage Alliance walking tour guided by Annalee Allen. Meet at the corner of 9th & Jackson Streets 
Fee: $15

Friday, October 02: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Mexican Lunch Con Poco Dinero

Cooking demo in the gallery by Tina Tamale, third generation co-owner of Old Oakland's La Borinqueña Restaurant 
Free

Friday, October 02: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Interactive Neighborhood Ecotour

Tour led by Serena Bartlett, creator of GrassRoutes Travel. Meet at the Pardee House, 672 11th Street 
Free

Friday, October 02: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Friday Reception

Regular gallery hours: Tues - Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 11a.m.- 4pm 
Free