History of Alameda Peeps

Our History

Founded on October 11, 2010, Alameda Peeps began as a small private Facebook group for locals to trade tips, share neighborhood updates, and connect island-wide. What started as a simple way for neighbors to connect has grown into Alameda’s digital town square — a space where civic activism, humor, and community spirit blend seamlessly.

As of 2025, the group has over 20,400 members on Facebook and has directly inspired fundraisers, small business support, and countless friendships both online and offline. While we started on Facebook, we’ve evolved beyond just a single platform. We work closely with our sister community, the Alameda Reddit (with over 25,800 members), organizing campaigns together, supporting local causes, and connecting neighbors across different platforms.

A Community Timeline

2010–2015: The Early Years

Alameda Peeps started small — a handful of neighbors sharing tips about local events, parking tips, and neighborhood happenings. The founding members built a culture of casual neighborliness, and as word spread, the group began attracting more residents looking for an authentic connection to their community.

2014 Holiday Celebration

When a 20‑foot Christmas tree intended for a West End celebration was stolen, Peeps members rapidly organized donations and gifts to save the event (East Bay Times).

2015–2018: Finding Our Voice

Through the middle years, a dedicated team of moderators and active members — including John-Michael Kyono — helped transform Peeps from casual chatter into a genuine force for community action. During this period, the group:

• Launched recurring fundraising campaigns, including partnerships with Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) — which honored Peeps as Local Partner of the Year in 2017.
• Coordinated disaster relief during the 2017 North Bay fires, with members and local businesses organizing truckloads of supplies.
• Established traditions that remain core to Peeps culture today: #FIF (Fuck It Friday), #ClassicPeeps, and the infamous parking-shaming threads that became part of Alameda lore.
• Hosted in-person events and photo threads that helped neighbors put faces to names.

The group’s tone became distinctive — direct, witty, funny — a mix of satire and genuine civic pride that set the foundation for what Alameda Peeps would become.

2016 “Slow Down in Town”

Following a series of pedestrian crashes, Peeps collaborated with the City and local orgs to distribute “Drive 25” lawn signs and raise traffic‑safety awareness (Bike Walk Alameda, Alameda Magazine, SpeedPro East Bay).

2017 Fire Response

Members filled a truck with supplies for victims of the 2017 North Bay wildfires and supported ongoing relief efforts (Alameda Sun – Fire Support, Alameda Sun – Year in Review).

2017 “Hands Across Alameda”

On Earth Day 2017, over 1,000 people linked hands for a mile along the beach in a show of unity, with cleanup and festival activities (EBT – Unity, EBT – Earth Day, EBT – Top 17).

2017 and 2019 School‑Lunch‑Debt Cash Mobs

Peeps funded AUSD school‑lunch debt more than once, including a 2017 effort and a 2019 campaign raising over $6,000 (East Bay Times, AUSD Newsletter).

2018–Present: Growth & Scaling

When Zac Bowling took on a lead role in 2018, the group had around 3,000 members. A team effort by countless moderators and engaged residents has grown Alameda Peeps to over 20,000 members — becoming a central hub for news, civic engagement, humor, and mutual aid across Alameda.

During this era, the group:

• Expanded local information sharing — from city updates and elections to missing pets and community events.
• Deepened civic participation — encouraging voter engagement, policy discussions, and representation on local issues.
• Continued neighborhood support traditions: annual Turkey Drives, school fundraisers, and small business cash mobs.
• Grew beyond Facebook, founding and moderating the Alameda Reddit community to reach residents across platforms.
• Introduced refined moderation policies that balanced growth with community culture — promoting inclusivity, clarity, and transparency.
• Established crisis coordination during emergencies: wildfires, COVID, government shutdowns, and more.

2018: Jackson Park Renaming Effort Begins

Community effort begins to rename Jackson Park, generating years of discussion about historical memory and racial justice. Cannabis ordinance adopted. Measure K election generates extensive civic discussion.

2019: Coast Guard Support During Federal Shutdown

When Coast Guard personnel stationed in Alameda went unpaid during the 2018–2019 shutdown, Peeps organized a cash‑mob support effort (KTVU).

2020: Pandemic Community Support and Jackson Park Progress

Jackson Park renaming gains momentum with City Council vote and sign removal. “Dancing While Black” incident sparks community conversations about racial justice and police accountability. COVID-19 pandemic response includes “What’s Open Alameda” directory and porch concerts.

Members created a crowdsourced listing of open businesses offering takeout/delivery, later adopted by the City as a public resource (City of Alameda – What’s Open — archived; Alameda Sun). Peeps also hosted porch‑concerts so neighbors could hear live music while distancing (SFGATE).

2020: Federal Trademark Filed

Alameda Peeps filed a federal trademark (Registration Number 6352099) to protect the brand name and ensure the authenticity of our community. This trademark helps maintain the integrity of the Alameda Peeps community and prevents confusion with other groups. The trademark is owned by Zaccariah T. Bowling, one of the administrators of the Alameda Peeps group, and is used to protect the community’s identity and mission.

2021: Chochenyo Park Renaming

After years of community organizing that began in 2018, Jackson Park was officially renamed to Chochenyo Park in January 2021. The new name honors the Chochenyo people, part of the Ohlone people who are the original inhabitants of the land that became Alameda. This multi-year effort demonstrated the power of sustained community organizing and the importance of addressing historical injustices in our public spaces.

Death of Mario Gonzalez in police custody generates community discussion about police accountability. Turkey Drive raises $25,885.

2022: Constitution Way Dedication and Cat Map

Constitution Way dedicated in honor of Supervisor Wilma Chan. Alameda Outdoor Cat Map launches, created by community member Zack Ohren. What started as a personal project to map cats spotted during runs and walks quickly became a beloved community resource, growing from 50 cats at launch to over 400 unique cats by the end of the year. The map became a symbol of how our community comes together to celebrate the small, everyday moments that make our island special. COVID-19 reopenings begin. Turkey Drive raises $17,305.

2023: Severe Storms and Community Resilience

Alameda Sun newspaper closes, leaving Alameda Post as the only local news source. January 2023 began with massive atmospheric river storms that caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages throughout Alameda. The City proclaimed a State of Emergency, and FEMA opened disaster recovery centers. Alameda Peeps members shared information about resources, safety tips, and ways to help neighbors, demonstrating once again the strength of our community network during crises. Bay Farm Middle School grades phased out after community opposition.

2024: Remembering Patrick Corder

On February 1, 2024, Alameda Peep and Fire Fighter Patrick Michael Corder passed away following a difficult battle with Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI). Patrick was instrumental in the fire department’s Community Paramedic program and was a staunch advocate for mental health support for first responders. His death deeply affected the community and served as a reminder of the importance of mental health support for those who serve our community.

City Council election brings new leadership with Michele Pryor and Greg Boller elected.

2025: No Kings Rallies and Food Bank Victory

Alameda Food Bank wins legal victory on April 22, 2025, securing permanent home at Alameda Point when a frivolous lawsuit attempting to stop construction was dismissed. This victory ensured that the Food Bank could move into its forever home and continue its critical mission of bringing food security to all Alamedans.

No Kings rallies draw thousands of participants and receive national attention. The June rally brought together an estimated 4,700 people and received coverage on MSNBC. A second rally in October drew thousands more. These events, organized through the Alameda Peeps Facebook group, demonstrated the power of community organizing and civic engagement.

Community organizes rapid response to ICE activity at Coast Guard Island, organizing vigils and monitoring efforts to keep the community safe. 4th of July Parade becomes platform for activism with “No Kings Since 1776” flags.

Today: A Continuing Story

What defines Alameda Peeps isn’t any single person or period — it’s the ongoing commitment of thousands of neighbors who show up, care, joke, organize, and support each other. Whether moderating, fundraising, sharing a meme, or standing up for the community, Peeps’ strength comes from the fact that it’s fundamentally a team effort.

As social media habits continue to shift, Alameda Peeps remains adaptable — still rooted in Facebook where most of Alameda gathers, but also present on Reddit and ready for whatever platforms come next. The message stays the same:

“Peeps isn’t about the platform. It’s about the people who show up for Alameda.”

For more information about our ongoing campaigns and initiatives, see our About page.