Most anyone who grew up in Montclair played at the park. The park was always full of kids.
If you played in the park during the 1960-1980s you will remember the two story playhouse. It was built in 1960 and was located by the swing-sets.
It was demolished after a couple of fires in the mid to late 1980s. It is rumored that the fires were caused by teens or someone smoking in the house.
I really enjoyed playing in small playhouse. I would pretend I lived there and that best friend lived next door.
Built in 1960
In 1960 the Montclair Junior Women’s Club of Montclair held fundraisers and worked with the Oakland Recreation Department to finance a playhouse for the park in Montclair.
Opening Day – September 1960
The 120 square foot playhouse incorporated such features as kitchenettes with running water and toy stoves and refrigerators It had a living room with built-in play television sets and a circular metal stairway leading up to the sleeping balcony and sundeck in each unit.
The exterior of the structure was covered with heavy wire to create the illusion of a closed building. Bright colored squares of orange, yellow, turquoise and white decorate the front of the playhouse.
The playhouse was designed and constructed by members of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department
- Bert Trubody
- Robert Savattone
- Paul Mortensen
They name is “Merrivilla”
Not to be confused with a Dollhouse for Diane
The was also a playhouse located in Pinto Park/Carl B. Munck School play yard. It was built in honor who Diane “Dede” Dobson who lost her life during the Columbus Day Storms of 1962
I will add more photos as I find them
