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EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT NEWS

Celebrate Women's History Month

A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH

March is Women's History Month, a time for us to celebrate and honor the accomplishments and contributions of the groundbreakers and trailblazers that have improved and advocated for parks, nature, and the environment. You can learn more about the contributions of women to the Park District and its mission by visiting our Women's History Month webpage.

Be sure to check out all of the exciting 90th anniversary events and activities scheduled for the month of March and beyond. Celebrate with us all year long! Enjoy your East Bay Regional Parks.

90th Anniversary "Explore Your Parks" Adventure Program at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park

More than 100 visitors attended the February 11th "Celebrate Black History Walk" at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park - Home of the Port Chicago 50 in Concord, which included a special presentation celebrating the Park District's 90th Anniversary. During the walk, visitors learned about the history of this land, heard stories of resistance and bravery, and discovered the events that played a vital role in the desegregation of the armed forces.

Celebrating Our 90th Anniversary at Big Break's All Abilities Day: March 26

Explore nature at your own pace and in your own way at Big Break’s All Abilities Day on Tuesday, March 26 from 10am-1pm. A special 90th anniversary presentation will kick off the fun! This free, drop-in program is inclusive for all abilities, offering something for everyone. American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be on site. More info.

Lifeguard Services Annual Report Now Available

The Regional Parks Lifeguard Services 2023 Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the operation, community outreach, and water safety programs provided over the past year. Read how Lifeguard Services delivers high quality lifeguarding and program instruction to ensure the safety of park visitors at our swim facilities. 2023 Lifeguard Services Annual Report

Visit a Redwood in the East Bay

Before logging started in the mid-1800s, the East Bay had an expansive redwood forest with huge trees. Ship captains sailing near the Golden Gate wrote about two redwoods at the top of a ridge in the Oakland hills that towered over others. At the time, they used the tall redwoods as landmarks to navigate their ships around the treacherous Blossom Rock, hidden just beneath the surface of the bay between Alcatraz and Yerba Buena Islands.

Interested in visiting some of the remaining East Bay redwood groves? Here are three notable Regional Parks that feature these majestic trees.

Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley

Walk the meandering paths though redwoods in the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

Roberts Regional Recreation Area, Oakland

Walk Roberts Ridge Trail to find the Old Growth Redwood Heritage Viewing Deck and Interpretive Exhibit. Have a picnic at Redwood Bowl.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Oakland

Stroll past ferns and along Redwood Creek on the paved Stream Trail. You will see the descendants of the original Blossom Rock forest. Visit the fishway (fish ladder) historical interpretive site.

Wonderful Wildflowers Across the Park District

The Regional Parks are awash with beautiful spring wildflowers at this time of year. Join naturalists across the District for wonderful wildflower programs and activities.

IN THE PARKS

"Explore Your Parks" Adventure Series at Del Valle's Day by the Water: March 23

Celebrate World Water Day at Del Valle. Find out how water benefits people and wildlife and learn water conservation tips to safeguard water for the future. More info.

Saturday, March 23, 10am-3pm

90th Anniversary Sunday Stroll and Picnic at Temescal: March 24

Learn the history of one of the Park District’s first three parks, take a stroll and admire the wildflowers, and enjoy a picnic lunch together. More info.

Sunday, March 24, 9:30am-11am

IN THE COMMUNITY

Now Hiring: Seasonal Positions in the Parks

Did you know that the Park District is a major employer of students in Alameda and Contra Costa counties? The Park District is currently hiring lifeguards, recreation leaders, interpretive student aides, public safety student aides, and student laborers/gate attendants. Whether you are looking for entry-level work experience or returning for another season of teamwork and interaction with the public, the Park District offers a supportive and fun work environment. Seasonal Jobs at the Park District

Honoring Hideo Nakagaki – Ardenwood History Comes Full Circle

Ardenwood Historic Farm's history includes a story about Hideo Nakagaki, an amateur viticulturist who visited Ardenwood in the 1880s and befriended Clara Patterson (see Hideo’s Lasting Connections to the Patterson Family). But the story just added a new and exciting chapter! Learn how Hideo's descendant discovered his great-great-grandfather's connection to Ardenwood's Patterson House and came from Tokyo to visit the farm: Honoring Hideo Nakagaki – Ardenwood History Comes Full Circle. 

Job Fairs Connect Youth with Park District Jobs

The Park District's annual Youth Job Fairs introduce East Bay youth to employment opportunities in the Regional Parks. The Job Fairs are designed for applicants who are ages 15-24, although the minimum age requirement for most jobs is 16 years old. 

The in-person Youth Job Fair took place on Feb. 24 at the Temescal Beach House. Nearly 200 job seekers received guidance and information from District staff about seasonal jobs, as well as future career paths in the Park District. Careers for Students and Youth

Virtual Youth Job Fair 

Saturday, March 2, 2024

10:30 am to noon (new time)

Join via Zoom: ebparks.zoom.us/j/83434622673

Foundation Named Outstanding Non-Profit by the California Parks & Recreation Society

Congratulations to the Regional Parks Foundation, named 2023 Outstanding Non-Profit by the California Parks & Recreation Society-District 3. The Foundation was recognized in the innovation/new program development category, highlighting the Park District's XPLORE – Parks to People virtual reality program, which is supported by Foundation grant funding. Learn more about the Foundation's support of Park District programs.

FEATURED ACTIVITIES

Sunol Wildflower Season: March 23 – April 28

Visit Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve and the Ohlone Wilderness to see impressive displays of flowers and celebrate the season with a variety of naturalist programs. Experience the season through hikes, videos, and art activities. Programs will run weekends from March 23-April 28. Most programs will be available for sign-up on a first come, first serve basis at the Sunol Visitor Center. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve Wildflower Season

Sunol Wildflower Art Contest

Spark your creativity in nature and celebrate the season by creating wildflower themed art! Submissions will be accepted from March 1 – April 20. Winners for each category will be announced on April 26.

Categories include nature journal pages, painting, photography, and poetry.

Email submissions to svisit@ebparks.org.

Subject: Art Submission 2024

Include your name, contact info, category, artwork title (if applicable). 

Connecting Parks to People

East Bay Regional Park District | 1 (888) EBPARKS | info@ebparks.org



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