• A photo of a completed puzzle which pictures a brightly colored topographic map of the watershed of Lake Merritt. The map features a key, a compass shaped like a bird and pictures several birds.
  • A box branded Oakland Puzzle Company with a label featuring a colorful topographic map centered around a lake and estuary reading Lake Merritt Watershed by Joel Pomerantz and Scott Oliver
  • A close up of the partially completed puzzle showing the map key titled Lake Merritt today and Lake Merritt Circa 1850
  • A hand holding a section of a completed jigaw puzzle showing a dark green body of water marked Lake Merritt. Behind the pieces are a partially completed jigsaw puzzle and scattered pieces.
  • A close up of stacked brightly colored jigsaw puzzle pieces with a few scattered around and a partially completed puzzle blurry in the background
  • A photo of a partially completed puzzle which pictures a brightly colored topographic map of the watershed of Lake Merritt.
  • A photo of an opened puzzle box with the lid facing the viewer revealing the puzzle pieces nestled in the box inside a resealable plastic bag. In the background is a small reference poster.
  • A resealable plastic bag with colorful random cut puzzle pieces spilling from it.
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Oakland Puzzle Company

Lake Merritt Watershed Puzzle – 500 Pieces of Oakland’s Ecological History (in collaboration with seepcity.org)

Lake Merritt Watershed Puzzle – 500 Pieces of Oakland’s Ecological History (in collaboration with seepcity.org)

$30.00 USD
$30.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Puzzle Details

  • 500-piece random-cut jigsaw puzzle
  • Finished size: 16” x 20”
  • Matte finish for reduced glare
  • Box size: 10” x 9” x 2”
  • Includes a printed reference image
  • Available now — pre-orders have shipped

Eco-Friendly Packaging

  • Printed on 100% recycled ESKA chipboard
  • Uses soy-based, non-toxic inks
  • Puzzle pieces come in a reusable, resealable bag
  • Packaged in a sustainably sourced, gift-ready box featuring the original artwork
  • Produced under socially responsible manufacturing standards
  • Learn more about our Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

Why You’ll Love It

  • Features a richly detailed illustrated map of the Lake Merritt Watershed
  • A perfect gift for Oakland residents, map collectors, educators, and eco-enthusiasts
  • Combines geography, ecology, and urban history in an engaging format
  • Gorgeous enough to frame and display
  • Supports local artists, educators, and filmmakers
  • Includes educational value about Oakland’s water system and estuary ecology
  • A portion of proceeds benefits the film “Reflections on Lake Merritt”

 

About the Puzzle

Explore the story beneath Oakland’s streets and shoreline with the Lake Merritt Watershed Puzzle. 

Created in partnership with seepcity.org, this richly illustrated puzzle showcases the transformation of Lake Merritt, the first officially designated wildlife refuge in the U.S. (1870), and its role in the San Francisco Bay Estuary system.

The image is more than a map. It is a 500-piece visual journey through history, ecology, and community telling a story of land use, biodiversity, urban development, and community activism. Learn how tidal flows were altered, habitats were reshaped, and how modern restoration efforts are helping Lake Merritt return to its vital role in the region’s ecological network.

About the Artists

Scott Oliver originally created the base map in 2009 for an Oakland lakeside signage project titled “Once Upon A Time, Happily Ever After…”. He is a Reno-based artist with a BFA in Graphic Design and MFA in Wood/Furniture from California College of the Arts.

Veronica Graham contributed illustrations like the egret compass rose, trees, and natural textures.

Joel Pomerantz, naturalist and founder of Thinkwalks, added birds, color, and design. Joel also researches San Francisco’s streams and shoreline history and leads educational walking tours. Learn more at thinkwalks.org and get water maps at seepcity.org.

About the Fundraising: Reflections on Lake Merritt

Sales directly benefit Reflections on Lake Merritt, a documentary film by journalist Brandon Jourdan. The film explores the tension between private development and public access, using Lake Merritt as a lens on broader issues facing the Bay Area and urban centers nationwide. Brandon’s work has appeared in Democracy Now!, CNN, The New York Times, and more. Learn more or donate at the film’s GoFundMe page.

Special thanks to Liam O’Donoghue of East Bay Yesterday for spreading the word about this important project.

Creative Commons License Notice:

This project is shared under the Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, which allows non-commercial reproduction if credit is given to the following:

Commercial uses require permission from Scott Oliver and Joel Pomerantz.

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