Arroyo Viejo
Recreation Center

Claytoven Richardson has been at the helm since November 2021, but he started with OPRYD in 2011 at the Digital Arts and Culinary Academy (now the East Oakland Art Center). There he helped with accomplishing their mission of giving participants opportunities to grow and build self-confidence through the learning of one of four components in their programs: Digital Audio Production, Digital Video Production, Culinary Arts, and Urban Agriculture.

Now his current mission, just as it was at the East Oakland Art Center, is to help youth, teens, and adults excel and create a better community for themselves and others. His ultimate goal is to help bring all types of enrichment into this amazing East Oakland community in which he grew up. 

For more on Claytoven.

Imohteph Mbwana has been the PPT at Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center since 2021. In 2008 he started off as a Recreation Leader I. His growth is evident in his ability to be facilitator of multiple programs including; sports, science, engineering and multiple forms of art. Teaching kid’s leadership and teamwork skills has also been his honorable mission; as wells as, striving to become an even better role model for his peers.

Though Imo (his nom de plume) is constantly growing in his position, his  goals remain the same. Making sure that he’s dedicated to serving the community and ensuring a safe and positive place for kids to learn and play the Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Developement way…

Saul Perez was born & raised in the city of Oakland. He studied Audio Engineering at the San Francisco Art Institute and  SAE Expressions College for Audio Production. Currently, he is working as an audio instructor and recording engineer for Arroyo Viejo. Saul started working for the City of Oakland in 2019 at the Digital Arts & Culinary Academy (renamed the East Oakland Arts Center). Now  at Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center he’s helping build a better environment for the East Oakland  community and for his fellow coworkers.

Saul is also currently working on video & audio projects as an independent producer. He is always trying to improve his skills, as well as increase his knowledge in the music and film industries.

Eric Flood is a Recreation Leader I, with a background in Multimedia. He is currently enrolled in the Peralta Colleges studying Film production. Over the last nine years of working for Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development, Eric has worked in various capacities. He has gained many new skills, from gardening to event planning. He hopes to gain many more skills to share with the Arroyo Viejo community during his tenure.

Dawn Samaniego, oversees the Discovery Center now located at Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center. She began working at the original Discovery Center location in Central East Oakland as a woodshop/science instructor. Dawn has collaborated with Bay Area community based hands-on science organizations to develop age-appropriate S.T.E.A.M based interactive projects and curricula for Oakland youth. Attended numerous professional development training on inquiry-based learning, such as the Exploratorium’s The Art of Tinkering. Dawn is a resident of Oakland’s Fruitvale District and attended OUSD schools. Received a BA in Liberal Studies, emphasis in Biology, from SF State University.