Your monthly EBRPD news & updates
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Improvements at Black Diamond Mines and Pleasanton Ridge
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The East Bay Regional Park District is proud to announce a newly-completed trailhead at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
The new Castleridge trailhead will serve as an important public access point for users with expanded park ridgeline trail access from the northern side of the park. The trailhead’s amenities include street parking for up to 50 vehicles, a drinking water fountain, accessible restroom, and gated access serving two neighboring communities. The project is a joint partnership between the Park District and the City of Pleasanton. A multi-use trail extends from the trailhead to the northern ridgeline of Pleasanton Ridge.
The new trailhead is located close to the intersection of Foothill Road and Old Foothill Road, west of the City of Pleasanton’s Alviso Adobe Community Park.
Meanwhile in East Contra Costa County, the East Bay Regional Park District has completed an underground stairway and safety improvements at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, allowing for a new and longer underground tour of Hazel-Atlas Mine. Increased public access and safety were the goals.
The new stairway makes it possible for visitors to complete a full loop from the Hazel-Atlas Mine entrance to the Greathouse Visitor Center, an underground mine museum open to all ages. Before, visitors would have to stop after 1,000 feet and backtrack to exit the mine tour, then enter the museum through a separate entrance. Most of the funding for the $2.2 million project came from Measure WW and the District’s Major Infrastructure and Replacement Fund.
Tours are available weekends March through November for $5. Advance reservations are available for a few weeks at a time (currently reserving through April only). Reserve tickets online at www.ebparks.org or call 1 888-327-2757. For safety reasons, tour participants must be 7 years or older. First-come, first-serve tours are also available.
See you in your Regional Parks.
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Robert E. Doyle
General Manager
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Wetland Restoration at Bay Point Regional Shoreline
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Learn about the restoration work being done along the Bay Point Regional Shoreline. Restoration improves habitat for wildlife, and creates more opportunities for people to connect with nature.
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Coyote Hills Regional Park Expansion Moving Forward
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306 Acres Set to Be Added for Wildlife Protection, Public Recreation
Big plans are in the works for Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. On February 20, 2017 the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors approved a conceptual site plan and program for expansion of Coyote Hills Regional Park, including habitat restoration, urban agriculture, and public access improvements, such as relocating the park entrance closer to Paseo Padre Parkway to develop a more prominent entry point to the park. Approval of the conceptual plan allows the land use planning process to move forward into environmental review.
In 2014 the District received a donation of 296 acres (Patterson Ranch) bordering the eastern boundary of Coyote Hills Regional Park, expanding the park eastward to Paseo Padre Parkway. In September 2016, the District purchased an additional, contiguous 10-acre property to the north of the Patterson Ranch Parcel. Together, the newly acquired properties present opportunities to significantly improve public access and restore wildlife habitat.
The Board approved conceptual plan included robust community engagement and outreach, including social media and public meetings provides a clear vision for enhancing public access, urban agricultural, and wildlife habitat at Coyote Hills.
The planning process is expected to be complete in 2018 with potential approval in Summer 2018.
Coyote Hills photo by Jerry Ting
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Trails Challenge
The Park District's signature outdoor program is up and running! Join the fun for this self-paced, self-guided hiking program that takes you to 20 different trails in your Regional Parks. Complete five or more hikes to earn your commemorative pin (while supplies last).
Find out more and download the 2018 Trails Challenge Guidebook:
Photo: Briones by Deane Little
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Sheep Shearing Day
Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont
Saturday, Mar. 17, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Spring has sprung and it is time for our sheep’s annual “haircut.” Watch as the farm’s sheep get sheared; then, try your hand at wool carding and see the transformation from fiber to yarn at the spinning wheel. You can even make your own wooly lamb to take home.
Fee: $6/adults. $5/seniors (62+), $4/children (4-17 yrs.), 3 yrs. & under free. Free Parking.
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Tartan Day Scottish Fair
Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont
Saturday, Apr. 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Save the date! The annual festival co-produced by the East Bay Scottish Association and EBRPD returns to the farm April 7. All are welcome at this celebration of Scottish heritage complete with folk dancing, bagpipe music, historical re-enactments, and Highland athletics.
Fee: $12/adults, $8/seniors (62+), $5/children (4-17 yrs.), under 4 yrs. free. Free Parking.
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Registration is Open for Summer Day Camps
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Registration is open for summertime fun outdoors for children and youth!
Park'N It Day Camp
Ages 5 - 12
Temescal, Don Castro, Contra Loma, Miller/Knox & Ardenwood.
New! Coyote Hills too!
Leaders in Training
Ages 13 - 17
Gain leadership skills while you help with Park"N It camps!
$50 fee
Junior Lifeguards
Ages 8 - 12
Six locations!
Junior Lifeguard Aide
Ages 13 - 15
Junior Cadet
Ages 14 - 18
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or call 1 888 EBPARKS
for information
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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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Wellness: An Important Part of Experiencing the Regional Parks
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The Foundation funds programs that encourage people to use the parks for physical and mental well-being, especially reaching out to children, seniors, urban residents, and ethnic groups that may not be using the parks as often as the general public.
Senior Outreach
Many seniors experience mobility issues, lack of transportation or other barriers that keep them from enjoying nature and experiencing their Regional Parks. Recognizing the wellness benefits of socializing with peers in a natural environment, the Foundation provides funding for transportation, meals, and recreational activities in parks for Seniors.
Multi-Cultural Wellness Walks
Multi-Cultural Wellness Walks were launched in 2014 in an effort to to encourage diverse groups to come together for nature education, exercise, games and a healthy lunch that spans a multitude of ethnic cuisine. The vision is for all people to feel welcome and comfortable coming back to explore their Regional Parks.
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About Us
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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Explore careers in your East Bay Regional Parks! We've started hiring for summer seasonal jobs. Currently hiring: Gate Attendant, Student Laborer, Interpretive Student Aide, Lifeguard, Police Officer, Public Safety Student Aide, and Recreation Leader..
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Photo above: Burrowing owl at Coyote Hills, by Jerry Ting
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OpenRoad TV March Schedule
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Set your reminders or your DVRs for Sundays on NBC Bay Area at 6:30 p.m.
OpenRoad TV with Doug McConnell returns to visit spectacular and inspiring parks and open spaces in the greater Bay Area.
March 4 Vasco Caves; Latino Outdoors
March 11 NEW Episode!
Sonoma County coast
March 18 Coyote Valley; Marin County parks; Outdoor Afro
March 25 New Episode!
La Honda; bay trails; Carquinez Strait
EBRPD is a proud sponsor of OpenRoadTV.
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Photo: Host Doug McConnell with EBRPD Wildlife Program Manager Doug Bell at Vasco Caves
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Movie "4 Wheel Bob" Comes to San Rafael Film Center
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Bay Area filmmaker Tal Skloot will present his film portrait of Bob Coomber, who will join him for discussion. 4 Wheel Bob follows Coomber, an intrepid adventurer who sets out to be the first wheelchair hiker to cross the 11,845-foot Kearsarge Pass in the Sierra Nevada.
Sunday, March 18, 4:15 p.m.
San Rafael Film Center
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