Recent Park District Accomplishments
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH
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We are pleased to share some of the work the Park District completed in 2021 to provide greater public access to our parklands, especially important now given the significant surge of visitation in the last two years. This work recognizes the rich diversity of the lands we manage; increases climate resilience for our changing landscapes; and includes the opening of several important educational centers.
In 2021,
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The EBRPD Board of Directors formally named the new regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station in Concord in honor of a civil rights icon: Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50
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We opened Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay bringing new bay shoreline camping opportunities to Fremont and the East Bay
- A half-mile extension of the Bay Trail opened at Lone Tree Point in Rodeo
- Two new visitor center exhibits opened - the underground Black Diamond Mines Coal Mine Experience and the renovated Del Valle Visitor Center with new educational interpretive exhibits
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Park District planning staff conducted a climate change Risk Assessment and Prioritization Plan for the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail, and
- Working with East Bay legislators, the Park District received $13.5 million state budget appropriation for wildfire protection.
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Learn about the founders and groundbreakers through stories from our archives, and hear how women contributing to the Park District mission from outside the District have made a significant impact which have led to the creation and success of the Park District. Contributions include addition of invaluable parklands, environmental protection, and improvements to expand public access. More Info.
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Park District Receives NACPRO Facility Award |
The Park District is honored to receive the
National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Excellence in Park and Recreation Facility Award. The award was given for three Regional Shoreline projects to increase public access, mitigate sea level rise, and restore habitat in 2021: Judge John Sutter, Albany Beach-SF Bay Trail, and Bay Point. More Info.
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Park District Wins Two CA State Awards
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The Park District is proud to receive two awards from California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS), District 3.
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Outstanding JEDI Program/Event for EBRPD policies on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), staff implicit bias training, new park (Thurgood Marshall Regional Park - Home of the Port Chicago 50), Juneteenth, survey and listening sessions, UN international Day of Peace, numerous interpretive programs promoting and putting into practice JEDI principles
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Outstanding Park for Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
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Advocating for Regional Parks at the State Capitol |
Each year, the Park District Board of Directors, General Manager Sabrina Landreth, Deputy General Manager Dr. Ana Alvarez and Government Affairs staff meet with members of the East Bay state delegation and staff to discuss legislative priorities. Wildfire resilience, community health, sea-level rise preparedness and welcoming visitor use facilities are central to the discussions which explore opportunities for partnership and funding. In addition, elected officials are invited to join EBRPD naturalists and the public in our parks for Walk and Talk events. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates this spring. More Info.
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Lifeguards Wanted for 2022 Swim Season |
The Park District will soon be hiring 50 new lifeguards for the 2022 swim season at its 10 East Bay swim facilities, which include lakes, lagoons, and pools. All new lifeguard positions are seasonal, full-time positions from May through September. Anyone 16 and over before April 23, 2022 are encouraged to apply. More Info.
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Now Hiring Interpretive Student Aides |
Are you a student who dreams of working outside and sharing your passion for nature with others? We are hiring Interpretive Student Aides to assist our Naturalists in visitor centers and surrounding parks. More Info.
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Draft Redistricting Maps Available for Public Review |
In its next round of review at the March 15, 2022 Board Meeting, the EBRPD Board of Directors is considering two draft redistricting maps, the National Demographics Corporation (NDC) Minimal Change map and NDC Cities map. Park District ward redistricting is based on 2020 Census data and additional demographic information. View drafts of Park District ward redistricting maps and join the public hearing at the March 15 Board Meeting. More Info.
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Tilden Golf Course Turns 85
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85 years ago, Tilden Golf Course in Tilden Regional Park opened to the public with much fanfare and excitement. The course was built during the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), that included Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) Company 2940-C, a segregated group of 182 young African Americans from California sent to the East Bay to construct park roads and picnic grounds, park beautification, water-shed protection, and fire hazard reduction. More Info.
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Daylight Saving Time Begins March 13 |
Don't forget to spring forward and set your clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 am Sunday, March 13, the start of daylight savings time. We may lose an hour of sleep, but we'll gain an hour of daylight to enjoy the Regional Parks!
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Looking for a Speaker to Talk about Regional Parks? |
Does your organization need a Park District speaker to talk about topics ranging from natural history to outdoor adventures to climate concerns? Request a Speaker.
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Brickyard Cove Opening Soon |
Opening in early spring, Brickyard Cove along the Berkeley shoreline will provide access for walking, biking, and nature viewing and includes new parking, bike racks, picnic tables, restrooms, water fountains, interpretive signage, walking paths, and connection to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Over the years, the Brickyard site had become a community eyesore as a 53-foot-high dirt pile built up from excavated dirt and debris from projects throughout the region. Today, the dirt pile is gone having been lowered 15 feet, transforming the once blighted site into a recreational amenity for the public to enjoy. More Info.
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A new 18-hole disc golf course is now open at Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, designed by Whirlwind Disc Golf and installed with the help of volunteers from the Oyster Bay Disc Golf Club and larger disc golf community. The course features beautiful views with two tees and two baskets on every hole. More Info.
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Mine Tours Reopen for the Season |
Take a trip back in time with two different mine tour experiences at Black Diamond
Mines Regional Preserve. Tours are available to all ages 7 and up. The Coal Mine
Experience tour is ADA accessible; call in advance for special accommodations up to the mine entrance. Book Tours. (Not old enough for a tour? Check out the new Mini Miners toddlers program geared for ages 0-5, with siblings welcome.)
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Youth Connection Day at Black Diamond Mines |
A fun and educational community event took place the first Saturday in March at Black Diamond Mines where youth invited from Pittsburg enjoyed mine tours, naturalist-led walks, visits by the Regional Parks Mounted Patrol, and a scenic picnic lunch. The event was held in partnership with the Park District Park Police and the Pittsburg Police Activity League. Pittsburg Vice-Mayor Shanelle Preston-Scales and EBRPD Board President Colin Coffey were also in attendance. |
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The Western Monarch Mystery Challenge
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Almost 250,000 migratory monarchs were counted at California’s coastal overwintering sites this winter, an astonishing comeback from the past three years of drastic population declines. As these butterflies head inland towards their breeding areas, we are learning more about their migration patterns. Researchers and scientists invite you to participate in the “Western Monarch Mystery Challenge” and record sightings of western monarchs outside of overwintering groves to help inform conservation efforts for the rebounding western monarch population. Upload your photos and be entered to win a variety of prizes when you report a sighting! The Western Monarch Count is a community science program through the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The campaign runs through Earth Day, April 22. More Info.
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Fun Springtime Activities |
Spring is a magical time in the Regional Parks! Here are a few drop-in activities planned around the first day of spring.
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World Water Day at Del Valle: Sunday, March 20 |
In observation of World Water Day, join us at Del Valle for a day celebrating water. Make learning about water conservation fun by enjoying one of the water-themed activities, head out on a guided shoreline walk, and more! Activities at the visitor center from 10am to 3pm. More Info.
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Sunol's Wildflower Season Weekend Programs: March 26 thru May 1 |
Join Sunol staff at the Visitor Center weekends from 10 am to 3 pm to celebrate this colorful season with a variety of special programs and activities.
- Guided Wildflower Walk, 10am
- Naturalist Guided Hikes & Programs, 2pm
- Wildflower Activities, 10am-3pm
Most programs will be available for
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Be Inspired by Nature: Enter Sunol Wildflower Season Art Contest |
Spark your creativity in nature and celebrate the season by creating wildflower themed art! Art contest categories include nature journal pages, painting, photography, and poetry. Entries accepted thru Apr 16. More Info.
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Connecting Parks to People |
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