Oakland’s famous Lake Merritt monster is back and greener than ever thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers who raised $50,000 dollars to restore the sculpture.
Kids have played on the 40-foot-long, nine-foot-high, bright green structure structure since 1952. But years ago it fell into disrepair and was fenced off from the public.
"It's iconic to Oakland. It's been here so long. It's an interactive piece for children and adults. There's just a lot of history and memory," said Susan Casentini, one of the volunteers who amassed the money for its refurbishment. "It was really important for us to make sure it was restored."
The monster was created by the late artist Bob Wilson,
His widow Patricia Flower Winston said her husband would have loved to see this day.
"That is the greatest legacy he could have," she said, "knowing that children could play on it."