Your monthly EBRPD news & updates
|
|
Pinnacle Year for Park District & Regional Parks Foundation
|
|
2019 has been a milestone year! The Park District turned 85, and the Foundation turned 50. We enjoyed celebrating with you at the special Concerts in the Parks series and on Free Park Fridays.
Some notable 2019 achievements include:
Concord Naval Weapons Station Land Transfer
After 20+ years of community advocacy, 2,216 acres of U.S. Navy property at the Concord Naval Weapons Station have been transferred to the Park District for a future Regional Park.
Bay Trail Extension
The Park District will soon complete construction on a one-mile extension of the Bay Trail near Albany Beach – removing one of the largest gaps in the Bay Trail and creating 18 miles of continuous Bay Trail from Richmond to Oakland. (Grand Opening in Spring 2020, see below.)
Underground Coal Mining Exhibit
The Park District is installing a new coal mine exhibit at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve that will offer visitors an immersive educational experience complete with the sights and sounds of an 1870s era coal mine. (Grand Opening, Spring 2020)
Bay Observation Pier
Construction of a 600-foot bay observation pier was recently completed at the Park District’s new Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline park, located at the eastern touchdown of the Bay Bridge. The observation pier, built atop six pilings from the old Bay Bridge, provides spectacular Bay views. (Grand Opening, Spring 2020)
We wish you an enjoyable and safe holiday season. See you in the great outdoors.
Robert E. Doyle
General Manager
|
|
East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Whitney Dotson is retiring from the Board of Directors after 11 years on the board. His last board meeting will be Tuesday, December 17, 2019. Director Dotson was elected to the Board in 2008.
Dotson has been a steadfast community advocate for environmental justice, protecting the shoreline, and expanding shoreline access in a career spanning 60+ years. In his time on the board, Dotson supported several significant projects in his ward, including the construction of the Atlas Road Bridge and restoration of the Dotson Family Marsh at Point Pinole, completion of the Bay Trail between Pinole Shores and Bayfront Park, restoration of Albany Beach, and the soon-to-be-completed Bay Trail segment at Albany Beach (see below).
|
|
Bay Trail Connection in Albany Opening Spring 2020
|
|
Thanks to voter-approved funding from Measures CC and WW, we will soon be closing a one-mile gap in the San Francisco Bay Trail near Albany Beach, creating a continuous 18-mile trail segment from Oakland to Richmond. The project also restores beach habitat and improves public access, including additional parking, bathrooms, and picnic tables.
When complete, the new trail will provide spectacular views of the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, and enhance the region’s green transportation network – taking cars off the road and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
We are proud to provide yet another public access improvement to East Bay residents. A grand opening is expected in March 2020.
|
|
Regional Trails: One Solution to Getting People Out of Cars
|
|
Over the past decade, the Park District’s regional trails have added immeasurable value, beyond recreation, to become active transportation corridors connecting children to schools and workers to business centers and transit hubs such as BART. Millions of dollars in federal transportation dollars and local voter-approved funding measures have been invested in the Park District’s regional trails to close gaps, improve trail conditions and acquire easements to extend trails to new destinations and transit hubs. A March 2020 Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) ballot measure expenditure plan includes additional funding for trail projects connecting people to their places of work or school. Signature upcoming investment projects include sections of the Iron Horse, Wildcat Creek, Marsh Creek, and San Francisco Bay trails.
More info
.
|
|
Park District Naturalist Ashley Adams Receives NAI
Outstanding New Interpreter
Award
|
|
Park District Naturalist Ashley Adams was recently recognized as this year’s
Outstanding New Interpreter
by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). When Ashley joined the Park District in 2016, her background in geology and theater helped her build creative and innovative interpretive programs. According to Ashley, sharing the variety of wildlife and terrain in the Regional Parks is a dream job for her. Congratulations, Ashley!
|
|
Board Authorizes $1 Million for John Muir Land Trust’s Acquisition of Almond Ranch
|
|
On November 5th, the Regional Park District board authorized $1 million in Measure WW funds to assist the John Muir Land Trust (JMLT) in the purchase of Almond Ranch, a 281-acre property southwest of the city of Martinez. Acquisition of this property will preserve significant scenic ridgeline, hillside, and open space to benefit wildlife and the community, and provide a critical link for the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
More info
.
|
|
Annual Park District Calendar Available in early December
|
|
Be sure to pick up the new 2020 Park District calendar featuring a beloved park activity – birding! Next year also marks the centennial celebration of women’s right to vote; to honor the occasion, the calendar highlights several women who played an important role in the Park District’s 86-year history. Calendars will be available at visitor centers starting mid-December, while supplies last.
|
|
Return of the Monarchs
Monarch butterflies overwinter in dense clusters – look for them in the eucalyptus groves at Ardenwood Historic Farm.
More info
.
|
|
Ladybug Wintering
Ladybugs overwinter in deep shady canyons in large masses – watch for their annual appearance at Redwood Regional Park.
More info
.
|
|
There is Still Time to Finish Trails Challenge 2019!
|
|
To be included on the list of 2019 finishers and receive your commemorative pin, you’ll need to hike or bike at least five trails, or 26.2 miles, in the
Trails Challenge Guidebook
. If you have already completed the challenge
submit your trail log
or submit an
online form
to receive a commemorative pin,
while supplies last
.
Watch for the 2020 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
.
More info
.
|
|
Help Your Regional Parks
Volunteer Programs Key to District Success
|
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, the Park District successfully offers the public a wide variety of services and programs. We welcome you to join our exceptional volunteer family! Find volunteer opportunities at
ebparks.org/about/getinvolved
.
Ambassadors
represent the Park District at a variety of community-based events, fairs, festivals, and official park dedications.
Docents
at Park District visitor centers volunteer alongside naturalists to provide hands-on learning opportunities to students and assist with special events.
Trail Safety Patrol Volunteers
comprise five patrol groups
that help keep parks and trails safe for visitors
: Volunteer Mounted Patrol, Volunteer Bicycle Patrol, Volunteer Hiking Patrol, Companion Dog Patrol, and Volunteer Marine Safety Unit.
|
Holiday Fun at the Park District
|
Experience a beloved East Bay holiday tradition at the historic 1911
Tilden Park Merry-go-round
! Families can ride the carousel, visit with Santa and his elves, view the magical lights and winter decorations, and indulge in holiday treats.
More info
.
Celebrate
Christmas at the Patterson House
, a Victorian-style holiday event in a beautifully restored Queen Anne mansion. Tours of the Patterson House take place at various times in December;
reservations
are recommended. There is a special City of Fremont evening open house on Fri., Dec. 6;
reservations
are recommended.
|
Share Your Love For Parks
Give the Gift of Membership
|
Give friends and family the gift of membership to the Regional Parks this holiday season.
Membership includes free parking, free swimming, one annual dog pass for up to three dogs, camping discounts, and much more. The Regional Parks Foundation will prepare a
Gift of Membership
that can be mailed to you or directly to the gift recipient.
More info
.
|
Del Valle Christmas Bird Count: Friday, December 27
|
Help us discover the birds of Del Valle! Join us for our first Christmas Bird Count, and help learn about the populations and species that make this park home. All data collected will be submitted to the Audubon Society as part of this international project.
Registration required
.
More info
.
|
Want to Find a Job Working in Nature?
6th Annual Youth Job Fairs Scheduled for January 25 and February 1
|
Come work in your Regional Parks! Whether you like spending time outdoors, or working with kids, aquatics, or public safety, we have something for you. The fairs are for ages 15 to 24.
More info
.
Saturday, January 25
- 10 a.m. to noon, Hayward Area Senior Center, 22325 North 3rd St., Hayward
Saturday, February 1
- 10 a.m. to noon, Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.
|
Sunday, December 8, 10am-12pm,
Sunday Stroll
, Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline
Monday, December 9, 9am-12pm,
Monday Birding
, Mclaughlin Eastshore State Park
Saturday, December 21, 10am-12pm,
Saturday Stroll
, Sibley Regional Volcanic Preserve
*Reservations required
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
