Another Great Year for Public Access

Looking Forward to Spring  

A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER ROBERT E. DOYLE

2020 is off to a great start for the Park District with some exciting projects with grand openings scheduled this spring that will provide more opportunities for everyone to explore and enjoy nature.

McLaughlin Eastshore State Park

Albany Beach habitat restoration, visitor amenities, and a new one-mile extension of the Bay Trail near Albany Beach. The new trail segment completes a continuous 18-mile section of Bay Trail from Richmond to Oakland.

Bay Point Regional Shoreline

Improvements include habitat restoration, restrooms, drinking fountain, kayak launch site, and walking and hiking trails.

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

New underground coal mine exhibit offering visitors an immersive educational experience complete with the sights and sounds of an 1870s-era coal mine.

Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline

New 600-foot bay observation pier, built atop six remaining pilings from the old Bay Bridge, provides visitors spectacular San Francisco Bay and city skyline views.

I hope to see you at some of the openings to celebrate our beautiful shorelines and parklands.

Robert E. Doyle

General Manager

Get to Know Your Board of Directors

New President Named for 2020

At the January 21 Board of Directors meeting, Board member Elizabeth Echols (Ward 1), replacing recently retired Board member Whitney Dotson, was sworn in by Director Ellen Corbett. The annual rotation of Board officers also took place with Ellen Corbett serving as president, Dee Rosario as vice president, Beverly Lane as secretary, and Colin Coffey as treasurer. Directors Ayn Wieskamp and Dennis Waespi round out the 2020 Board of Directors. More info .

Crab Cove Visitor Center Honored by Alameda Chamber

Last month at a special ceremony, the Alameda Chamber of Commerce honored Crab Cove with its Business Excellence Award, which was accepted by Board President Ellen Corbett and Supervising Naturalist James Frank. The Chamber award acknowledges that "East Bay Regional Park District's Crown Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium provide a gateway to the City of Alameda that attracts around one million visitors annually. Over 5,000 school children per year from Alameda and Contra Costa counties and beyond participate in field trip programs at Crab Cove, fostering an appreciation for the Bay and its wildlife, free of charge. All this is thanks to support from parcel taxes, the Regional Parks Foundation, and special bond measures like FF that passed in 2018 with nearly 86% of the vote.” Congratulations to Crab Cove staff!

North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break Project 

In December 2019, a coalition of East Bay fire departments completed the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break, a 14-mile fire break from Lafayette Ridge in Briones Regional Park to Inspiration Point in Tilden Regional Park. Grass was cut, brush removed, and trees thinned during the project, with the goal of keeping fires from becoming major disasters. The Park District thanks the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, which led the multi-agency effort.

2019: A Landmark Year for the Park District

Read our annual community report to learn about 2019’s accomplishments, milestones, budget, and efforts to connect people with nature, take care of the environment, and ensure safety in our parks. More info .  

20 Great Trails for 2020 

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir

There are 20 great trails to choose from in the 2020 Trails Challenge. Get out into nature with friends and family and tag your photos on social media with #ebrpd #trailschallege2020. More info .  

Fire Department Convenes with Goat Grazers to Discuss Wildfire Protection

Women in Parks

2020 marks the centennial celebration of women’s right to vote in the United States. In recognition of this historic milestone, we are highlighting some of the many women who contributed to the success of the Park District.

Carol Severin , EBRPD Board Director 1994-2017, worked to establish a full-service recreation department that has enriched the lives of diverse East Bay communities, including children and families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Severin promoted being active and having healthy activities for all abilities in the Regional Parks. She spearheaded “short loop” trails in the parks and championed the establishment of an outdoor Fitness Zone at Lake Chabot . 

30 Years of Accessibility Improvements 

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we would like to share some examples of the expanded accessibility to our regional parks, shorelines, and facilities that have improved access for all.

Temescal , one of the first three parks in the Park District, has benefited from multiple accessibility improvements in recent years, including a redesigned fishing pier with access ramp, a remodeled outdoor restroom, and a regraded picnic area with ADA picnic tables, BBQ, drinking fountain, and safety guardrail along the edge of the lake.

Great Backyard Bird Count: February 14-17

It’s time for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a worldwide survey that you can be a part of! Launched in 1998, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and display results in near real-time. It only takes a few minutes and you can do it in your yard, neighborhood or favorite Regional Park. More info .

Regional Parks Ambassador Training: February 22

Love Regional Parks? Want to share your love with peers and the general public? Then consider becoming an official Regional Parks Ambassador. You’ll represent the Park District at a variety of community-based events, fairs, festivals, and official park dedications providing information about the District and its activities and visitor center programs. An orientation and training is scheduled for February 22 from 9am-12pm. More info .

East Bay Rancher awarded 2019 Excellence in Range Management by the Cal Pacific Chapter Society for Range Management

In January, Ned Wood of Wood Livestock in Lafayette was awarded the 2019 Excellence in Range Management award by the Cal Pacific Chapter of the Society for Range Management at the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Summit. Ned, a first-generation rancher who is a long-time grazing license holder with the East Bay Regional Park District, was recognized for his outstanding land stewardship, livestock management, and the advancement of sound range management practices through his participation in related organizations and public education. Properly managed livestock grazing in Regional Parks helps to reduce fire hazards, promotes a healthy, diverse grassland environment, and increases the diversity of habitats available to wildlife species.