DSCF5022 550x412 Chinese Junk Boat at Lincoln Neighborhood CenterSince 1969, the Junk Boat at Lincoln Square Recreation Center has been a delightful playground structure for neighborhood kids in Oakland’s Chinatown. oaktownman’s grandmother used to bring him there to play when he was little.

A junk boat was apparently another one of china’s innovations made famous by Italians. There was gunpowder, spaghetti, and in this case these junk boats are said to have inspired the design of the ships Columbus used to sail to the New World.

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From an informative panel at the junk boat playground.

The play structure is an absolute delight to young children.

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Even the birds love the junk boat.

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A wonderful playground so close to Oakland's city center

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The junk boat was restored and improved in 2007 by Chinatown's Wa Sung Community Service Club

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Lincoln Center in Oakland? The Junk Boat playground is at Lincoln Neighborhood Center — a community focal point of Chinatown which annually hosts a public pancake breakfast on Easter Sunday

Junk Boat at Lincoln Square Recreation Center

www.oaklandnet.com/parks/facilities/rc_lincolnsquare.asp

250 10th Street, Oakland