Summertime in Regional Parks
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH
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Welcome to summertime in your Regional Parks, a great time for family gatherings, swimming, morning hikes, and wildlife viewing.
Summertime brings abundant opportunities to connect with family members in nature and to build lasting memories.
Happily, it seems likely there will be minimal COVID-19 restrictions this year, meaning full access for swimming, picnicking, barbecuing, and other recreational activities. All swimming facilities are planned to be open except those impacted by low water levels, required maintenance, or water quality challenges.
During the summer, stay safe by bringing plenty of drinking water for yourself and your pets, following all water safety rules when swimming, and being aware of fire dangers and rules.
Stay safe and enjoy your Regional Parks this summer.
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National Wildfire Awareness Month |
May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, a time when the Park District and other public agencies come together to stress the importance of preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. This year, due to the ongoing severe drought, dry vegetation, and potentially extreme weather, we are preparing for what is likely to be another difficult wildfire season. While the Park District works year-round to manage and remove hazardous vegetation, it is the collective efforts of homeowners and neighbors that can have the greatest positive impact. We need the public's help to prevent small fires from becoming large disasters. More Info.
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
Across the East Bay, contributions of generations of Asian Americans are key to both the success of our parks and our thriving communities. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we invite you to discover the stories and faces of some of our vital AAPI community members. More Info.
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Championing Sustainability: 2021 Community Report Now Available |
As the urgency of the pandemic drops from the headlines, the urgency of climate change quickly takes its place as a top concern. Our 2021 Community Report highlights the Park District's climate action efforts, key milestones, and continuing work in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. More Info.
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NatureCheck Study Measures East Bay Wildlife Health |
The Park District, in cooperation with other land management agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, has finished its inaugural report, “NatureCheck: A report on the health of wildlife in the East Bay.” The study creates a baseline for measuring wildlife health in the East Bay. More Info.
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East Bay regional parks and trails are for everyone, whether you walk, ride, or roll. For the past few years, the Park District has been working with a Trail User Working Group (TUWG) made up of active trail user stakeholders to provide feedback and concerns regarding trail use, including trail safety, trail connections, and trail enhancements and maintenance. The TUWG includes bicyclists, conservationists, dog owners, equestrians, hikers, land trusts managers, youths, and members of the Park District’s Park and Multicultural Advisory Committees and Regional Parks Foundation.
The Park District received valuable input from the group, including the strong desire for more trail user education. Over the coming months, visitors will see expanded park signage and other communications as part of a “Trails Are for Everyone” educational campaign aimed at keeping parks enjoyable for all users. More Info.
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Popular Parks Mean Busy Parks |
Spring and early summer are great times to explore nature in the East Bay, with ideal weather for hiking, biking, and other outdoor recreation.
Here are some tips to ensure parks remain enjoyable for all, even when busy.
- Visit parks at a less busy time of day or on a different day.
- Try visiting a less busy park or entering through a less busy staging area.
- DO NOT park illegally. Don’t block park gates and access roads.
Have a safe and enjoyable time in your Regional Parks! More Info.
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Park District Hosts 30x30 Event at Roberts |
The Park District hosted conservation leaders from around the state and region at Roberts Regional Recreation Area on Friday, April 29 to discuss the state’s 30x30 efforts to conserve 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030. This initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature and address climate change through nature-based solutions. The gathering was an important step forward following the release of the final report on Earth Day, Pathways to 30x30. The report’s goals align closely with the Park District’s climate preparedness goals and environmental ethic. 30x30 is a state, national and global movement. Learn more about California’s historic climate package and first-in-the-nation 30x30 conservation goals.
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2022 CARPD Awards of Distinction |
The Park District has just received three Awards of Distinction from California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD).
The awards recognize the following:
- Outstanding Board Member: Director Ayn Wieskamp (left wearing hat)
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Outstanding Volunteers: Ned MacKay and Carl La Rue, Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol (right with VTSP Volunteer Coordinator Heather Gilfillan)
- Outstanding New Facility: Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
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Park District Planning Team Receives Award for RAAPP Project |
Congratulations to Senior Planner John Holder (center) and Trails Program Manager Sean Dougan (right) who, along with WRT Design's Cristina Bejarano (left), represented a larger project team in accepting the Merit Planning Award at the California Trails and Greenways Conference for their work on the San Francisco Bay Trail Risk Assessment and Adaptation Prioritization Plan (RAAPP). The RAAPP identifies vulnerabilities and helps the Park District prioritize nature-based adaptation projects to provide multiple benefits for the region and helps inform nature-based projects to adapt to sea level rise. More Info. Photo courtesy of WRT Design
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Dive into Swim Season Memorial Day Weekend |
Summer fun is around the corner – the 2022 swim season is here! The District's swimming facilities that are projected to be open for this year’s swim season will reopen starting Memorial Day weekend. Select facilities are already open on weekends! More Info.
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Cattle grazing has been part of the ecosystem in the East Bay hills since the 1800s and part of the East Bay’s ecosystem for many tens of thousands of years. Grazing cattle play an important role in reducing wildfire risks and maintaining a healthy ecosystem for native plants and wildlife.
If you see cattle in the parks:
- Keep dogs on leash in areas where cattle are present.
- Give cattle distance. If cattle are blocking the trail, approach slowly, speak normally, and allow them to move away. If necessary, go off-trail to pass.
- Do not try to get close, touch, or pet them.
- Close pedestrian gates behind you and never cut or alter fencing.
To report an incident involving aggressive cattle or a trail accident call 510-881-1833 or submit an online Park Watch Report.
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Park Tour at Roddy Ranch Golf Course: Saturday, May 7 |
The former Roddy Ranch Golf Course off Deer Valley Road in Antioch is becoming a new Regional Park! On a 1.5 mile walk, learn about the park's preferred design concept, restoration efforts, and provide feedback to the Planning team. Register online or by phone for one of two tour times. Register here or call 1-888-EBPARKS, option 2 (Programs #44166 and #44169). Event flyer and More Info.
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Nature Exploration and Hikes for all Ages |
Our Mobile Education interpretive staff has created a welcoming affinity space for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities by providing BIPOC specific programming. Programs are Spanish/English bilingual with Naturalist Claudia Muñoz.
People of Color: Intro to Birding/Personas de Color: Aprenda Como Avistar Las Aves: Explore your local parks and use binoculars to sight and identify birds along the way. More Info.
People of Color: Evening Walks and Talks/Personas de Color: Caminatas y Charlas al Atardecer: Join us for an after-work walk and explore different parks and the wonders within. Hikes range from 1-5 miles. Great for families! More Info.
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Celebrate Antioch's 150th Anniversary at Black Diamond Mines: Saturday, May 21 |
Join the city of Antioch's sesquicentennial event Black Diamond Day on Saturday, May 21 from 10am-4pm. Black Diamond Mines naturalists will greet visitors in period costumes and staff will conduct free first-come-first-serve mine tours. A free shuttle to the event starting from Somersville Towne Center Mall in Antioch will run every 20 minutes. More Info.
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Black Birders Week: May 29-June 4, Various Parks |
Join us in celebrating Black Birders Week 2022 by getting outside, spending time with community, and learning about the birds of the East Bay. Experience some amazing birding and important dialogue around supporting and uplifting Black individuals and the Black experience in environmental spaces. All programs are free and everyone is welcome! Check out our webpage for dates & times. More Info.
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Walk & Talk with Assemblymember Bill Quirk at Hayward Shoreline: Saturday, June 18
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The Park District welcomes Assembly Member Bill Quirk for a Walk & Talk at Hayward Regional Shoreline on Saturday, June 18 from 10:30-Noon. Free parking, water fountains and restrooms will be available. Please leave dogs at home. For questions contact Rosa Rodriguez via email or phone: 510-583-8818. Pre-registration is not required. Map to Hayward Regional Shoreline.
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Support Youth in Nature with a Campership Donation |
Scholarships provided through the Regional Parks Foundation's Campership Program ensure under-served, at-risk, and disabled children can enjoy programs and outdoor activities such as summer camp, swimming lessons, fishing, hiking and education programs. Support the Campership Program to give all children in our community access to the magic of nature. Donate Today.
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Enjoy Mother Nature on Mother's Day: Sunday, May 8 |
Treat Mom to an excursion into nature during the most colorful season in our parks.
Crab Cove: Mother's Day Celebration from 11am-4pm. Learn some of the ways animal mothers take care of their babies and make a card to take home for mom.
Dry Creek Garden: Visit the Iris Garden from 10am to 4pm and show mom the splendor of these beautiful and showy flowers. Map to Dry Creek Staging Area.
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Programs and Activities |
Virtual Fitness Programs: Free online Fitness and Wellness classes celebrating AAPI heritage every Thursday at 5pm. More Info.
The Chinese Miner Experience: Hike at Black Diamond Mines on Saturday, May 14 from 10am-Noon. More Info.
Explore Gyotaku Fish Prints: Make Gyotaku fish prints at Del Valle Visitor Center on Saturdays, May 14 & May 21, 3pm to 5pm. More Info.
AAPI Heritage Month at Ardenwood Historic Farm: Drop by the Ardenwood Visitor Center throughout the month of May, Tue-Sun from 10am to 2pm. More Info.
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Connecting Parks to People |
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