JANUARY 2018
Your monthly EBRPD news & updates
State Bond Addressing Parks on June 2018 Ballot
Years of neglect and competing priorities have left California’s once “Best in the Nation” system of state parks and open spaces in disrepair with an estimated $25 billion backlog of infrastructure and maintenance needs.

On October 15, 2017, to address these needs, Governor Brown signed SB 5 placing a statewide bond on the June 5, 2018 ballot for voters’ consideration. Getting the measure on the ballot was a long, multi-year effort by the Park District, California legislators, and other park agencies.

The measure, if approved by voters, would provide $4.1 billion for natural infrastructure, including parks, open space, water resources, and flood protection needs – $2.83 billion specifically for parks and natural resources.

See you in your Regional Parks and welcome to 2018!
Doyle GM pic update
Robert E. Doyle
General Manager
Caltrans, East Bay Regional Park District Sign Lease for Historic, Newly-Restored Bridge Yard Building
On Friday, December 15, 2017, the East Bay Regional Park District signed a 10‑year lease for the historic, newly-renovated Bridge Yard Building located in Oakland at the foot of the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The building – owned by Caltrans – is within the planned East Bay Gateway Regional Park site.
 
“The lease is a major step towards implementing the vision of a regional shoreline park at the touchdown of the Bay Bridge,” said Robert E. Doyle, General Manager of the Park District. “East Bay Gateway Regional Park, the Bay Area’s newest shoreline park, will serve as a grand gateway to the entire East Bay.”
 
The 24,000-square foot, 1930s-era Bridge Yard Building will serve as the recreational anchor for the planned gateway shoreline park with interpretive and recreational programming, concessionaires (food/dining, equipment rental, etc.), and event space. 
 
Completed in January 2017, the BATA-funded Bridge Yard Seismic and Renovation Project created a dramatic, seismically-sound public space while preserving the building’s original finishes and characteristic 1930s craftsmanship. The restoration project has won several awards for preservation and outstanding engineering.

District's New Assistant General Manager for Public Safety: Anthony Ciaburro
As the new Assistant General Manager for Public Safety, Anthony "Tony" Ciaburro is also the Chief of Police and oversees police, fire and lifeguard services for the District.

Chief Ciaburro joined the Park District in 2015 as a Captain of Patrol Operations, overseeing policing of all of the Park District’s 73 parks and 121,000 acres of open space. In his position, Ciaburro also oversaw the Investigations Unit, the Volunteer Safety Patrol Unit, and served as the liaison to the Park District’s unit managers on enforcement and events.

Trails Challenge 25th Anniversary Edition
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Park District's signature outdoor activity program, the Trails Challenge. Launched in 1993 as a way to get East Bay residents moving outdoors and exploring their trails, the program makes it easy for hikers of all abilities to get to know and love their Regional Parks.

This FREE self-guided program is brought to you by a partnership between the East Bay Regional Park District, Kaiser Permanente , and the  Regional Parks Foundation .

The free printed guidebooks and T-shirts ilable at participating  Visitor Centers or the EBRPD administration office , while supplies last .

No registration is needed to participate. Simply pick-up or download the guidebook and get started! The guidebook includes detailed trail descriptions for hikes in 20 Regional Parks or Trails. Hikes range from easy to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians, and many are wheelchair accessible. To complete the challenge, hike five of the trails – or 26.2 miles of trails. Then claim your commemorative pin, while supplies last!

2018 Trails Challenge on AllTrails App:
All 20 featured trails are available on the  AllTrails app. Simply download the free app, sign-up and log in, then go to  https://www.alltrails.com/lists/trails-challenge-2018 and click on “Copy to my lists”, followed by "Continue in App". The featured trails will show under 'Lists' in 'Plan'. The app indicates where you are on the trail enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, and share your photos, comments etc. with others.

Lone Tree Point Shoreline Receives $2.1 Million Urban Greening Grant
In November, the California Natural Resources Agency awarded $2.1 million in funding for the East Bay Regional Park District’s San Francisco Bay Trail Lone Tree Point Urban Greening Project.

Funded by cap-and-trade revenues, the Urban Greening Grant Program is intended for projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled. Funded projects also aim to transform areas into green spaces that improve air and water quality and provide opportunities for walking, biking and recreation.

The $2.1 million grant will be used to construct a portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail from Rodeo to Hercules, improve a “spur” trail from the new segment of the Bay Trail to the Lone Tree Point Shoreline, and improve the staging area there.

Naturalist Virginia Delgado Named Outstanding New Interpreter
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) named East Bay Regional Park District Naturalist Virginia Delgado as the 2017 Outstanding New Interpreter.

As a naturalist at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, Ms. Delgado leads many school field trips, especially for young children in grades 2 – 4. She is known to colleagues for her skillful and engaging tours that captivate youthful attention.

In addition to her regular duties providing guided programs for all ages, Ms. Delgado created a Junior Ranger Activity Book for children to use at the park, and designed and led an internship program for local high school students. She also co-led an award-winning teen summer program at the District. The activity book won the 2nd place award from NAI for site publications.
Know Before You Go
Before you head to your favorite park or trail, take a moment to check conditions by visiting www.ebparks.org/closure .

Updated daily.

Through March 31.
MLK day pic
MLK Day of Service
East Bay Regional Park District needs YOU! Volunteers will help restore Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove and our marshes by cleaning and removing invasive plants in order to support and care for wildlife and their natural habitat. Your efforts will benefit the environment and our community.

Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline, Oakland
January 15, 2018
8:30am to 12:00pm

Be One-in-a-Million
Join with other Regional Parks Foundation supporters to raise $1 million annually to fund vital initiatives! Our Sustainers' Circle donors commit to investing $21/month to protect open space, acquire parklands and provide programs for underserved members of the community.

We hope you will join the 1-in-a-Million Sustainers' Circle today.

To thank you for your special gift, we will send you a 1-in-a-Million commemorative lapel pin to showcase your commitment to parks and people.

 
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.
new RPF logo
Park District Job Fairs Look to Engage Area Youth Ages 15-24
East Bay Regional Park District Naturalist Morgan Dill leads a hike at the Park District’s Temescal Regional Recreation Area. Dill joined the district in 2014 as a naturalist aide and is now a naturalist at the Park District’s Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda.
The East Bay Regional Park District’s 4th annual Youth Job Fairs are scheduled for January 20 in Livermore and January 27 in Richmond. Both events aim to provide youth, ages 15-24, with general information about available opportunities, as well as in-depth workshops showcasing “a day in the life” of certain Park District positions.

Each year the Park District hires over 400 area youth to work in local parks and visitor centers. The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest employer of youth in East Bay.

“Over the years, thousands of local high-school and college students have launched their careers working at the East Bay Regional Park District,” said East Bay Regional Park District Board President Beverly Lane. “The Park District is proud to have helped so many area youth gain the skills they need to join the local workforce, including many who have joined the Park District as full-time staff members.”

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018
Robert Livermore Community Center
Shuttle from Dublin/Pleasanton BART at 9:30am, final drop off at 12:30pm
*Updated venue as of November 21, 2017*

Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018
Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center
Shuttle from El Cerrito del Norte BART at 9:45am, final drop off at 12:15pm

Event schedule:
10:00am                Doors Open! 
10:00am-11:00am  Job Fair
11:15am-11:45am  Workshops
12:00pm              Farewell!

Featured Activities

Saturday, Jan. 6, 8 - 10 a.m., Bird Walk, Garin

Saturday, Jan. 6, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Nature Drawing Class, Big Break
Free; Registration Required.

Sunday, Jan. 7, 9 - 11 a.m., Birding for Beginners, Sunol

Sunday, Jan 7, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Discovery Days (hands-on activities and crafts, drop-in), Coyote Hills

Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Volcanos, Labryinths, Quarries and Newts, Sibley

Sunday, Jan. 14, 1 - 4 p.m., Dumbarton Quarry Bayside Campground Hike

Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 - 11 a.m., Birds of Contra Loma


Discover even more fun! Search online by park, date or other keywords. Or browse through a PDF of our bi-monthly activity guide, Regional in Nature .

Photo above: American kestrel at Coyote Hills, by Jerry Ting
 East Bay Regional Park District |1 (888) EBPARKS | [email protected] | www.ebparks.org
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