On September 12th, East Bay Regional Park District held a grand opening dedication in pinole for the new Pinole Shores Bay Trail and Bridge. The new trail and bridge add 1/2 mile to the San Francisco Bay Trail along the San Pablo Bay Shoreline, including a large 1,100-foot bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Both the trail and bridge provide spectacular bay views.

The new shoreline trail and bridge project is part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, a planned 500-mile walking and cycling path around the entire San Francisco Bay, and represents the Park District's largest investment in the trail to date.

Thanks to voter-approved funding, major public access and natural habitat improvements are on the way for the Albany Beach area of McLaughlin Eastshore State Park. Phase 2 & 3 of the Albany Beach Habitat Restoration and Public Access Project broke ground on August 6. Phase 1 was completed in 2016 with shoreline restoration and trail improvements, including a Bay Trail spur along the Albany Neck.

Phase 2 of the restoration project will improve habitat and public access at Albany Beach, including additional parking, restrooms, and picnic areas. Phase 3 includes a nearly one mile extension of the popular San Francisco Bay Trail, a planned 500-mile walking and cycling path around the entire San Francisco Bay.

Construction is expected to be completed in November 2019. Work areas will be fenced and closed during construction as a safety precaution. However, Phase 2 areas of Albany Beach are expected to reopen by January 2019 with construction of phase 3 ongoing until November 2019. Access to Albany Bulb and Albany Neck will remain open throughout construction. McLaughlin Eastshore State Park extends 8.5 miles along the East Bay shoreline from the Bay Bridge to Richmond and includes 1,854 acres of uplands and tidelands.

East Bay Regional Park District has paired up with Save the Redwoods League in October for their Free Second Saturdays program, a state-wide effort to promote free access to public parks with redwood groves. Parking fees will be waived at Redwood Regional Park and Roberts Regional Recreation Area on Saturday, October 13th.

Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has worked to protect and restore redwood forests and connect people to their peace and beauty. The League is celebrating their 100th anniversary with programming and events throughout 2018. For more information, visit StandForTheRedwoods.org

Additionally, in recognition of the Save The Redwoods League’s 100 ^th Anniversary and the League’s longstanding connection with California State Parks, California Governor Jerry Brown proclaimed October 2018 “California Redwoods Month”.

Citing California as home to “the tallest, largest, and …the oldest living trees,” Gov. Brown shared that redwood forests in California are a globally significant treasure and symbol of the state. He invited all Californians to visit redwood parks and support organizations working to ensure they continue to thrive.

Soon the East Bay Regional Park District will welcomed an additional 160 acres through acquisition of the Grove property in the hills east of Dublin. The acquisition will adds 160 acres of contiguous open space to The Park District's Doolan Canyon Regional Preserve.

 

Considered a hidden treasure, the 160-acre Grove Property will expand the boundary of the existing park by one-forth and will increase opportunities for public access in the future. Much of the Grove property is sloping, rolling hill terrain used primarily for cattle grazing, while the trees in the area provide nesting habitat for raptors. The property also provides sweeping views of the hills and valleys adjacent to the property.

 

Most importantly, acquisition of the Grove Property protects open space, preserves the headwaters of Doolan Canyon's Cottonwood Creek, provides additional recreational trail opportunities, and safeguards habitat for sensitive species. The addition is being acquired through voter-approved Measure WW funds.

East Bay Regional Park District Helicopters have made 116 water drops on 15 fires this fire season.

In addition to fire management and containment, the Park District's fire professionals and park rangers work 365 days a year to prevent against catastrophic fires. Protecting vegetation, wildlife, and neighborhoods from fire danger is a top priority. If your neighborhood or community group would like to hear more about the steps the District takes toward fire protection, reach out to us at 510-544-2008 to schedule a discussion on fire prevention.

Above, East Bay Regional Park District’s Eagle 7 helicopter lands to deploy its bucket to assist with a wildfire on June 29 in Walnut Creek.

A song sparrow at Sobrante Ridge Preserve in Richmond, CA.

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