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Your monthly EBRPD news & updates
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Bay Point Grants, East Contra Costa Conservation & more.
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East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
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The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy was created in 2007 to implement the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan, a collaborative effort among environmentalists, housing developers, utility companies, public agencies, and community leaders to permanently protect open space and sensitive habitat in East Contra Costa County. The East Bay Regional Park District is the primary partner in land appraisal, acquisition, and management. The Conservancy typically funds staff time, acquisition cost, and a portion of operating costs.
The conservation plan has been highly successful in preserving habitat for threatened species, such as the rare red-legged frog, and other wildlife. Together, over the past decade the Park District and Conservancy have purchased nearly 13,500 acres of open space habitat in East Contra Costa County – land that is permanently protected with balanced public access.
The conservation plan allows for a more efficient, better-coordinated program of protecting wildlife habitat. Fees paid by developers to offset habitat loss are deposited with the Conservancy where they are used to purchase large, contiguous habitat rather than individual developers purchasing small, disconnected properties.
A recent example is the planned joint purchase of 320+ acres in Byron by the Park District and the Conservancy. Once transferred, the land will be part of the District’s planned Byron Vernal Pools Regional Preserve.
Other Regional Parks expanded with funding from the Conservancy include Black Diamond Mines, Vasco Hills and future parklands at Deer Valley. In total, the Conservancy has invested over $59.5 million dollars and permanently protected over 13,480 acres in East Contra Costa County. The Conservancy plans to preserve 30,300 total acres by 2037.
The Park District congratulates the Conservancy on its 10-year anniversary and looks forward to continuing to work together to preserve and protect open space in East Contra Costa County.
General Manager Robert E. Doyle
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Photo by Abigail Fateman ECCCHC
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$4 Billion Park-Water Bond Approved by Legislature, Heads to Governor’s Desk
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On Sept. 16, the California legislature passed SB 5 (De Leon) that would place a $4 billion bond measure for parks and water projects on the June 2018 ballot.
The Park District would like to thank our state legislative delegation, Senators Glazer, Skinner, and Wiechowski, and Assemblymembers Baker, Bonta, Chu, Frazier, Grayson, Quirk, and Thurmond, for their support and leadership. The bond, if signed by the governor and approved by voters, would provide funds for state and local park projects
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EBRPD friends at the Rally for Parks in Sacramento.
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Big Plans in Works for Black Diamond Mines Reg. Preserve
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One hundred ninety-one acres off Somerville Road are set to transfer to the East Bay Regional Park District to serve as a new grand entrance for the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve.
The acquisition is the culmination of a 30-year effort by the Park District to create a more distinguished entryway for the historic Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and will enhance services by allowing certain facilities and programs to move from the interior of the park to its main entry point off Somerville Road once funding is available.
The Park District currently funds over $750,000 dollars in educational and interpretive programs at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve annually, serving over 29,000 visitors, 6,500 special program participants, and 250 class field trips per year.
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District Granted Nearly $1mil for Bay Point Improvements
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The Park District is the proud recipient of a federal Dept. of the Interior grant of $750,000 to improve public access at Bay Point Regional Shoreline in east Contra Costa County.
Anticipated improvements include, among others, drinking fountains, walking and hiking trails, signage, and enhanced access for the disabled.
The grant is administered through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program.
The district has also received a $200,000 grant for trail improvements at Bay Point Regional Shoreline from the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
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Coyote Hills Restoration and Public Access Project
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In 2014 the District received a donation of a 296-acre parcel (Patterson Ranch) bordering much of the eastern boundary of Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, expanding the park eastward to Paseo Padre Parkway. The site presents opportunities for improving public access and restoring habitat.
On August 14 the Park District held its first of two public meetings on planned improvements to Coyote Hills. Over 40 local residents attended the meeting to discuss the project goals, scope, and potential improvements. An additional public meeting will be held in November.
To be notified of future meetings, contact Project Coordinator
Karla Cuero
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Ardenwood Historic Farm
Saturday and Sunday
October 7 & 8
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Enjoy some down home country fun as you help bring in this year’s crop of corn. Wander through a 5-acre field searching for ears of Indian corn and popcorn, and take home a portion of what you harvest.
Outside the field, enjoy magic shows, cider pressing, old-time music and historic crafts. Ride a narrow gauge train, visit the pumpkin patch and learn what late nineteenth century life was like on a tour of the beautifully restored farmhouse.
Please bring your own bags to take home your harvest. Fee: $10/adult, $8/senior (62+), $6/child (4-17 yrs.) and free/under 4 years. Avoid the line by purchasing advance tickets at the farm or at
www.ebparks.org.
Free parking.
Photos: Allan Mendez, H. VanAusten
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Sift the Sand
Albany Beach
Sunday, Oct. 8
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join volunteer teams deep-cleaning Albany Beach by sifting toxic microplastics out of the sand to prevent them from leaching into San Francisco Bay!
Learn beach restoration techniques from Marc Ward of Sea Turtles Forever! Ward is the inventor of the patented static-charge filtration screen used for removing the microplastics, and an expert on protecting marine life and restoring habitat.
Morning and afternoon shifts available.
This project in collaboration with the East Bay Regional Park District is funded by a 2017 Community Stewardship Grant to Albany Landfill Dog Owners Group (ALDOG) from the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program.
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Gathering of Ohlone Peoples
Coyote Hills
Sunday, Oct. 1
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Ohlones from several tribes will share their culture, including music, song, dance, and stories. They'll discuss contemporary cultural involvements, and demonstrate basket, jewelry, soaproot brush, and dogbane string making.
Visit a more than two thousand-year-old village site, play an Ohlone game, try making fire without matches, or make a miniature tule boat. Taste native plant teas, manzanita cider and, in the afternoon, acorn soup cooked with heated stones in a basket.
Free Admission; $5 parking fee
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Regional Parks Botanic Garden
Saturday, Oct. 7
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Botanic Garden's Fall Plant Sale is almost here! Expert advice on plant selection and cultivation will be available from garden staff, docents, and volunteers on the day of the sale. Along with familiar favorites, the RPBG sale offers unusual plants that are not available anywhere else.
For the best selection, arrive early. Join the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden—membership grants you admission to the sale at 9 a.m., an hour before everyone else. If you don’t have time to join the Friends beforehand, you can join at the sale starting at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the sale.
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Free parking & Free Admission
A plant list will be posted on the website shortly before the sale
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Park District Highlights Climate Change in
NPR Listening Event
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On July 23, the Park District participated in National Public Radio's (NPR) Generation Listen event focused on discussing conflicts between nature and people.
Dr. Ana M. Alvarez, Deputy General Manager of the East Bay Regional Park District welcomed attendees to Redwood Regional Park and added a local perspective, as well as provided the District’s take on the challenge of balancing people and nature, and why it matters. Alvarez also discussed climate change, the ultimate balancing act between people and the environment.
“The East Bay Regional Park District is already seeing the impact of climate change,” said Alvarez. “With sea levels already rising and expected to rise further, we can’t ignore our climate future.”
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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.
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Trails Challenge User Survey
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Are you participating in this year's Trails Challenge? Please take a few moments to complete our survey! Your answers will help guide future editions of this signature program.
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Foundation Seeks Funds for Park District K-9 Service Dog
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The Park District's Public Safety Division includes a full service Police Department staffed by 71 sworn police officers that help protect 73 unique parks throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Since losing beloved K-9 service dog Brun to cancer a year ago, the District's Police Department has only one K-9 to help with police duties. Join with the Regional Parks Foundation in raising funds for a new K-9 addition to the team.
K-9 service dogs receive advanced training in police work including search-and-rescue and partner protection.
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EBRPD is hiring! Current opportunities include Administrative Analyst, Chief of Design and Construction, Chief of Planning & GIS, Interpretive Student Aide, Land Acquisition Specialist, Police Officer, Public Safety Student Aide.
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Sunday, Oct. 29, 3 - 4 p.m.,
Spider Safari
, Tilden Regional Park
Photo: Aug. 21 Solar eclipse as seen from Sunol Regional Wilderness, composite image by
Jayant Mahto
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