General Manager Robert Doyle Retiring After 47-Year Career with Park District |
Robert Doyle, East Bay Regional Park District's General Manager for the past ten years, is retiring from a long career in environmental conservation and park management with the Park District. He leaves a lasting legacy, including 65,000 additional acres protected, 20 new Regional Parks, 200 miles of Regional Trails, and $1 billion raised for public access improvements and land preservation through grants, bond measures, and state and federal funding.
Doyle's unique journey with the Park District began in 1973 as a seasonal park ranger at Tilden Regional Park. From Park Ranger to General Manager, his service included Trails Specialist; Chief of Land Acquisition; and, subsequently, Assistant General Manager of Land Acquisition, Trail Planning, and Interagency and Advanced Planning. He became General Manager in 2010. Doyle was acknowledged at the Park District Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
“It has been such an honor to lead the Park District and the talented staff who make Regional Parks work,” said General Manager Doyle. “The Park District’s success is about having an entire team committed to our 86-year mission to protect public open space, wildlife, and habitat while providing quality and safe parks for recreation.” District Announcement
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Park District Takes Action to Review Wildlife Management Practices |
In a recent letter to the community regarding the impact of feral and abandoned cats in Regional Parks, General Manager Robert Doyle called for a temporary suspension of some removal practices by Park District staff until a full review of protocol and policies can be discussed openly with the EBRPD Board of Directors. The Park District will be reviewing its wildlife management practices and policies regarding how best to protect threatened and endangered species as required by California and Federal regulations. More Info.
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Fee Collection Restarts January 4 |
To ensure free and easy public access to Regional Parks and trails during the pandemic, the Park District waived collection of all fees in 2020. To support funding of the many programs, services and amenities slated to reopen next year, fees will be reimplemented effective Jan 4, 2021. Fees include parking, camping, fishing, and boat launching. Fees for use of seasonal and recreational facilities, services and amenities that will hopefully reopen later in the year include swimming, reservable picnic areas, and recreational programs.
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Shadow Cliffs & Contra Loma Open |
Park District Passes Balanced, Fiscally Responsible Budget for 2021 |
On December 15, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors passed a $258.5 million budget for 2021 that included a conservative approach to expenditures, given unknowns about the economy going forward. The 2021 budget limits growth, but still provides the same level of service to the public.
Noteworthy investments include:
- Second fire fuel reduction crew to reduce vegetation in parks and on trails
- $107 million toward 26 major public access, environmental restoration, and park facility improvement projects
- 3 new Measure FF staff positions (Measure FF was passed by voters in 2018; funding is available for the first full year in 2021)
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Bay Point Regional Shoreline Reopens with Improve Public Access & Habitat |
Bay Point Regional Shoreline reopened on Friday, November 20, 2020 after a 14-month construction closure. Live and recorded speakers at the event included EBRPD General Manager Robert Doyle, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblymember Tim Grayson, Supervisor Federal Glover, Pittsburg City Council member Shanelle Scales-Preston, EBRPD Board President Ellen Corbett and Board Directors Colin Coffey and Beverly Lane, and EBRPD Naturalist Virginia Delgado-Martinez.
The project significantly improves recreational opportunities and access to nature for residents in Eastern Contra Costa County, an area that has limited access to outdoor recreation. It was also designed and built to withstand climate change impacts, including extreme weather and sea level rise. Watch replay video of reopening event.
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New Regional PSAs Seek to Inform Visitors About COVID-19 Safety |
The Park District, in collaboration with Doug McConnell (host of NBC’s OpenRoad) and other regional park agencies, recently launched a new series of Parks Are Essential public service announcements (PSAs) highlighting visitor safety during COVID-19. Parks have provided an essential service during the pandemic due to their importance to physical and mental health. Watch PSA video.
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Live Fireside Chat with GM Doyle, Congressmember DeSaulnier |
Watch the replay video of General Manager Doyle and Congressmember DeSaulnier, with introductions by EBRPD Board Directors Beverly Lane and Colin Coffey, as they discuss recent Park District acquisitions, how park staff mitigate climate change, manage and prevent catastrophic wildfires, and how parks are essential to the community. Watch Fireside Chat.
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Park District Police Catch Serial Auto Burglars |
Thanks to diligent follow-up by East Bay Regional Park District Police Officers and Detectives, two suspected serial auto burglars are in custody. They face numerous felony charges and additional charges from crimes committed in neighboring agency jurisdictions. Article in Claycord.com.
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Campgrounds, Other Visitor Facilities Closed Due to Updated COVID-19 Health Orders |
In the beginning of December, several Bay Area counties updated their health orders requiring closures of campgrounds and outdoor museums (visitor centers).
The following visitor facilities are closed until further notice:
- Ardenwood Historic Farm
- Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Regional Park
- Regional Park visitor centers remain closed, including Black Diamond, Big Break, Coyote Hills, Crab Cove, Sunol and Tilden
Campgrounds closures include:
- Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore)
- Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Oakland)
- Sibley Regional Preserve Backpack Campground (Oakland)
Campgrounds reserved through January 4 will be cancelled, including Sibley backpack camp. Customers will receive full refunds.
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