In 2024, Oakland said goodbye to Stomper when the A’s left Oakland.

In 2025, the elephants left the Oakland Zoo.

But one piece of Oakland’s history remains: the historic Elephant Barn in Joaquin Miller Park. Once home to Baby Boo, Oakland’s first elephant, the building later served as a community workforce training site through the City’s 415 Society program. Today, this unique piece of Oakland history sits largely unused.

Friends of Joaquin Miller Park is working to restore the Elephant Barn as a community gathering space for families, schools, artists, educators, and visitors. More than preserving a historic building, we’re exploring how an underutilized public space can become a hub for connection, learning, culture, and civic engagement.

At a time when communities across the country are searching for ways to combat loneliness and strengthen belonging, Oakland has an opportunity to create something special—a model for how history, parks, and community can come together to serve future generations.

The Vision

Create a place where the Oakland Community comes together again and outside guests can explore and enjoy too.  Restore the Elephant Barn into a year-round space for:

🎨 Children’s creativity
🎵 Music & cultural events
👩‍🏫 Youth learning & entrepreneurship 

👶 Family programming
🧓 Intergenerational gatherings

Donate today to support this project – Elephant Barn donation