Your monthly EBRPD news & updates
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Leveraging Taxpayer Funds to Improve Regional Parks
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Two of the most important objectives of East Bay Regional Park District’s Board and staff are ensuring daily public safety in our parks, and overseeing fiscal responsibility with accuracy and precision.
For its strong fiscal management and balanced budgets, the Park District has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 16 consecutive years. Additionally, the Park District has a AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) – the highest possible rating.
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Fiscal responsibility also includes leveraging taxpayer funds to obtain additional state and federal dollars. A recent study showed that for every $1 invested into a project by the District, the Park District has obtained $2 from external sources.
I am proud of the Park District’s tradition of leveraging local tax dollars to make big improvements to our parks. In recent years, external grants have accounted for about $9 million of the total $26 million in annual project spending. This is a great value for taxpayers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Thank you for your continued support of Regional Parks. I look forward to updating you on our next successful project!
See you in the parks!
Robert E. Doyle
General Manager
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Park District Officially Includes 73 Parks
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It’s official. The East Bay Regional Park District is now 73 Regional Parks. On Sept. 19 the Park District Board of Directors unanimously updated the Park District’s list of parks from 65 to 73 – acknowledging the long-awaited inclusion of owned and leased property planned for future public access.
New Regional Parks include Alameda Point, Byron Vernal Pools, Clayton Ranch, Concord Hills, Delta Access, Doolan Canyon, Dumbarton Quarry, Gateway, Point Molate, Rancho Pinole, Vasco Hills, and Deer Valley thanks to the recently acquisition of the Roddy Ranch Golf Course property, which closed in 2016.
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EBRPD Issues First Ever Green Bonds
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On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017 the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors approved its first ever issuance of “Green Bonds” ever as part of its 2008 Measure WW regional park and open space bond financing.
In total, the Board of Directors approved issuance of $124.6 million of general obligation bonds, including $50 million dollars in Green Bonds. The issuance of Green Bonds includes $30 million of a new Measure WW bonds and the refinancing of $20 million of past Measure WW bonds as Green Bonds. By refinancing bonds at a lower rate, the District saves taxpayers $7 million. The bonds were issued and sold on Nov. 15.
“The Park District is happy to be a trailblazer on Green Bonds,” said Board Director and Board Finance Committee Chair Ayn Wieskamp. “Certified Green Bonds allow investors to put their money toward improving the environment while also benefiting from the tax advantages and stability of municipal bonds.”
“Green Bonds” are bonds that are dedicated to projects that reduce greenhouse gases, mitigate for climate changes, or provide other environmental benefits. The Park District received the highest-level grade of GB1 (Excellent) “Green Bonds” by Moody’s Investment Services, a nationally recognized investment rating service. This was the first ever “Green Bond” rating by Moody’s for a park district bond issuance. It was the fourth ever for a municipality in the United States.
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Measure CC was passed by Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Alameda, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Albany, Emeryville and Piedmont voters in 2004 with 67.6% support to provide local funding for park infrastructure, maintenance, safety, and services. Measure CC is a $12/year parcel tax. Measure CC is set to expire soon.
Recently, the Park District held three public meetings on Measure CC. Public comments were documented. The EBRPD Board will be discussing the possible extension of Measure CC in early 2018.
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2017 Trails Challenge Concludes
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Congratulations, Trails Challenge finishers! If you completed the challenge - by hiking at least five trails or 26.2 miles -
submit your trail log to receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last.
Watch for the new 2018 Trails Challenge in January! Guidebooks will be available for download at
www.ebparks.org. Printed guidebooks and T-shirts will be available at participating visitor centers while supplies last.
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The Park District is excited to announce the opening of five convenience camping cabins in Del Valle Regional Park. The cabins provide more shelter and allow visitors to camp year-round. Two of the five cabins have ADA-accessible ramps.
Reserve a cabin by calling 1 (888) 327-2757, option 2. Fees are $100 per night, plus a $250 security deposit and $8 transaction fee. A maximum of five occupants are allowed in one cabin. Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.
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Before you head to your favorite park or trail, take a moment to check conditions by visiting
www.ebparks.org/closure
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Updated daily.
through March 31.
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Christmas Carousel
A beloved East Bay family tradition continues this year with the annual Christmas at the Carousel at Tilden Regional Park. Meet Santa and his elves, enjoy hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies, see the unique and festive holiday decorations and visit the Candy Shop for a treat.
The festivities are held from 4 to 8:30 p.m., through Dec. 23, and noon to 8:30 p.m. weekends. For more information contact
tildencarousel@gmail.com or (510) 599-1004.
Photo by Lincoln Chu
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Christmas at the
Patterson House
Celebrate a Victorian-style Christmas at a beautifully restored Queen Anne mansion. Live music, refreshments, Victorian-style holiday ornaments, and more than 20 decorated Christmas trees.
Tours
Sat. & Sun, 9-10, & 16-17.
Holiday Open House
Dec. 8, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
$7/advance, $8/door.
Ages 12 & under free.
Info:
City of Fremont
(510) 791-4196
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The onset of rainy season means
mushrooms come alive in the East Bay hills. Two mushroom species that grow in our parks are among the world's deadliest:
Amanita phalloides ("death cap") and
Amanita ocreata ("western destroying angel").
Collecting mushrooms is prohibited throughout the East Bay Regional Park District.
Please keep dogs under a close watch during the winter months. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms.
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Amanita phalloides or death cap mushroom. Photo by Naturalist Trent Pearce.
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Hundreds of monarch butterflies gather annually to spend the winter at
Ardenwood Historic Farm
. Discover the amazing migration of these tiny creatures and how they survive the long cold season in the eucalyptus trees.
Monarch events are scheduled throughout December. Or just stop by the park any time to observe this fascinating phenomenon on your own!
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Give the Gift of Membership this Holiday Season
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Share your love for the Regional parks with a friend or family member - give the gift of membership this holiday season.
Contact the Regional Parks Foundation
(510) 544-2200
About Us
The Regional Parks Foundation was established in
1969 to support the East Bay Regional Park District by providing broader public access. Membership offers a convenient way for users to have frequent access to over 120,000 acres that make up your Regional Parks.
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Civil Engineer, Human Resources Analyst, Interpretive Student Aide, Park Supervisor/Horticulture Specialist, Police Officer, Senior Civil Engineering Technician.
Jan. 20 Livermore
Jan. 27 Richmond
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Registration required.
Photo above: Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, Fremont, by Kevin Fox
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Image above: rabbit by Lilia Rosenheimer
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Golden Gate Weavers Guild Exhibit at Tilden Nature Area
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Come explore the craft of weaving with wonderful examples created by our local weaving guild! A variety of traditional and non-traditional fibers have been used to weave these masterpieces.
Exhibit open through Dec. 31 in the
Environmental Education Center in Tilden Regional Park during regular visiting hours. (Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
For information, call (510) 544-2233
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