In 1961, Sterling Development Company, a partnership composed of Oddstad Homes and Wunderlich Development Company built and sold the very first homes of what we now know as Parkridge Estates.  Our neighborhood was originally marketed as Skyborough, but changed its name to Parkridge Estates prior to 1974.  

 

Parkridge Estates was built in 3 phases throughout the 1960’s.  Looking closely, you can see different architectural styles and floor plans unique to each phase.  Several custom homes have been built in subsequent years, with the most recent in 2007.  

 

Prior to 1974, the City of Oakland installed curb lighting along Skyline Blvd to help drivers with navigation and safety.  The installed fixtures were actually airport tarmac lighting, made of valuable brass.  Someone ended up stealing many of the fixtures and the City of Oakland did not want to replace the missing lights.  

 

Disagreeing with the City of Oakland’s lack of support for the neighborhood, Lee Snider founded the Parkridge Estates Improvement Association on November 4, 1974.  PEIA advocated on behalf of the neighborhood, and in 1975, the City replaced the lights with aluminum fixtures for $27,502.  

 

During Lee’s tenure, PEIA organized the annual Fourth-of-July Party in 1976 and 1977.  In 1978, this evolved into the Farewell To Summer party (now known as the Annual Block Party), occurring the 2nd Sunday of September, and has continued as a Parkridge Estates tradition every year since then, with the exception of two years: 1994 (lack of participation) and 2020 (Covid).  

 

In 1978, Gary Fernstrom succeeded Lee as president, and oversaw the unsuccessful proposal of building a tot park at the entrance of the regional park and Parkridge Dr.  Under Gary’s leadership, residents received regular newsletters.  Some of these newsletters would address local politics, such as candidates for city council and effects of proposed and passed laws like the Gann Initiative and Prop 13.  

 

In 1979, Bruce Rupp became president.  He led the effort to bring AC Transit to our neighborhood.  

 

In 1980, Wayne Goodroe assumed the role of president.  Wayne explored the idea of incorporating PEIA into a non-profit, but consensus felt it would be too costly and logistically unfeasible.  Wayne brought the Home Alert Program, an OPD program that deterred crime by watching out for your neighbor, to Parkridge Estates.  Lastly, Wayne successfully advocated on behalf of the neighborhood with city leaders for changes that served the community for years to come.  

 

In 1983, Marilyn Snider was elected president, and she continued the great work of her predecessors.  Sometime during the mid-late 1980’s, Don Binggeli served as PEIA’s president.  According to the rumor mill, Don was a multi-term president, as there was no one to pass the torch to.  He eventually retired from the position in the early-mid 2000’s, and with this, PEIA disbanded.  However, the Block Party could not be stopped, with Gloria Ma and Susan Burnett chaired the annual tradition through the mid-2000’s, with Jodie Ruland leading the event until 2024.  

 

Roughly in 2007, Lar Bryer started an email-based chat group for his immediate neighbors.  This evolved into the PEIA Google Group and is currently Parkridge Estate’s main mode of communication.

 

In 2014, crime was rising in Oakland, and our neighborhood was being targeted regularly.  Concerned neighbors banded together and employed the services of Intervention Group.  Crime immediately declined, and Intervention Group continues to be a staple in PEIA’s security measures.  

 

Crime rose again in 2021 and became a persistent issue in Oakland.  From this, concerned residents founded the Parkridge Estates Security Council, a committee that utilizes a multitude of strategies to reduce crime.  The community building component of PESC’s strategy became so prevalent that it made sense to revive PEIA.

 

In June 2023, the second iteration of PEIA was formed, with the goal of carrying out the same traditions and values of those who worked so hard to build 50 years ago.  With this new energy, in September 2023, PEIA rolled out PEIA Urgent Alerts, a platform for neighbors to receive real-time updates on emergencies.  

 

PEIA’s newfound inspiration has been embraced by the neighborhood.  The PEIA Annual Block Party seems to get better year after year.  Our PEIA Town Hall allows residents to be heard by city leaders.  The PEIA Emergency Preparedness Series of workshops shows us how to be safe when living in our unique topography.  Additionally, we have a whole host of ever-changing, fun, community events for all to enjoy.  

 

PEIA founded the SouthEast Hills Leadership Alliance, a network of neighborhood leaders in the Oakland Hills.  SEHLA allows for the sharing of ideas and coordination of efforts to advocate for solutions to common problems that all of these neighborhoods face.  This has led to a reduction in crime, more awareness, and closer and caring communities.  

 

As we look back over past and present of PEIA, some things just don’t change.  We, both as residents and as an organization, embrace exciting events and candid conversation.  We are concerned about crime, emergency preparedness, and attention from the City of Oakland.  We hold true to the values of gratitude, financial generosity, and positive energy.  And this is what makes our neighborhood arguably the best in the world.  

 

2025 PEIA Board

President:  Dustin Ma

Vice President:  Stephanie Hevezi

Treasurer:  Gloria Wilmer

 

Directors:

Chris Brown

Martin Hevezi

Kenan Jue

Vinay Iyer

Susan Silverman

Steve Tessler