The Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in West Oakland may no longer be a viable location to host large outdoor gatherings after the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) sent a cease-and-desist order to the Port of Oakland.

August 5th Update: The Treasure Island Music Festival has officially confirmed that the 2019 festival will not happen this year and that the festival is on hiatus for the foreseeable future. “Bringing the festival back to life last year following the relocation was a massive undertaking, but with the new issues facing the site location, we feel strongly as though putting on a festival to the degree for which our fans have come to expect over the past decade is simply not possible.” – Read the full statement

Middle Harbor Shoreline Park seemed like a decent alternative to the lawn on Treasure Island which was closed due to development on the island. But a series of challenges by the BCDC have questioned the site as an option. Their reasoning revolves around the park’s sensitive ecological shoreline and the Port of Oakland not maintaining a closer alignment with the BCDC in how the area is used and maintained.

Not only would a public closure of the park result in local residents losing access to one of the few parks in the West Oakland neighborhood, music promoters would have to find new venues for their festivals. Events like the Treasure Island Music Festival, the Dirtybird BBQ, and Porter Robinson’s Second Sky music festival would all be affected. Let’s hope a negotiated agreement can be found that protects the ecology and pubic interests of the park.