Getting Back to Normal
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH
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Welcome to summertime in your East Bay Regional Parks. Enjoy the wonders of the natural world – butterflies, banana slugs, deer, coyote, and more – or some fun in the sun.
We are also proud to offer some new and renovated facilities for you to enjoy. At Del Valle, the Visitor Center has been completely renovated and expanded with new, interactive, and bi-lingual (English and Spanish) educational exhibits about the lake and the area’s wildlife. Black Diamond has a new Coal Mine Experience inside the Hazel-Atlas Mine transports visitors back in time with the sights and sounds of an active 1870s-era coal mine.
Even more exciting news is the naming of the new regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station “Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50” in recognition of the history and social justice significance of the deadly Port Chicago explosion, and the 50 men who stood against segregation and unsafe and unjust working conditions. (See more below)
I hope you are as excited as we are that these great new experiences open.
Enjoy your Regional Parks!
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EBRPD Board Votes to Rename Former Concord Naval Weapons Station "Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50" |
On June 1, the Park District Board of Directors approved naming the new Regional Park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station “Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50" in recognition of the history and social justice significance of the deadly Port Chicago explosion and the bravery of the 50 men who took a stand against unsafe and unjust working conditions. The new park name also recognizes the significant contributions of Thurgood Marshall in advocating for the Port Chicago 50 and desegregation of the U.S. military. More Info.
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Community Report Now Available |
In 2020, the resounding message to us all was that Parks are Essential. Our Community Report highlights key milestones, climate action, and standing together in a challenging year. More Info.
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Find Your Next Job at the East Bay Regional Park District |
The Park District has job openings for people with a variety of skills and experience who are committed to protecting our natural resources and providing quality experiences to the public. More Info.
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Preparing for 2021 Fire Season |
With the onset of an historic drought and unprecedented tree die-off in the East Bay hills, the fire season is already a great concern for everyone. The public plays a valuable role in preventing wildfires by fireproofing their property to protect their homes and communities. More Info.
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Addressing Sudden Tree Die-Off in Regional Parks |
The Park District recently launched a major project to remove approximately 1,000 acres of dead trees in Regional Parks. The extreme amount of tree die-off in Regional Parks, first noticed in October 2020, is a major wildfire safety concern. Dead trees burn hotter, faster and are more likely to cast burning embers ahead of the original fire, creating spot fires. Sudden tree mortality and dieback is a regional issue that is affecting the entire Bay Area region. More Info & Video.
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Park District Expanding SF Bay Trail Connection in Rodeo |
Lone Tree Point, a small beach and shoreline access point along the San Pablo Shoreline, is currently under construction with major public access upgrades, including additional parking, a restroom, picnic area improvements, and a new half-mile SF Bay Trail extension with a 200-foot bridge structure over protected riparian habitat. The project is due to be completed in early summer 2021. More Info.
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OpenRoad: EBRPD Director Waespi on Preparing Shoreline Parks for Effects of Climate Change |
In the latest episode of OpenRoad, Doug McConnell explores the San Francisco Bay Trail with EBRPD Board Director Dennis Waespi and hears about the Park District's efforts to protect shoreline parks and trails from climate change and sea level rise. Watch San Francisco Bay Trail's Continued Growth.
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Free-Roaming Cats Policy Updated
Park District Working with Local Animal Shelters to Safely Remove Abandoned and Feral Cats from Shoreline Parks.
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On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 the Park District took action to strengthen and update its Free-Roaming Cat Policy to focus on the prevention of cat colonies in Regional Parks and collaboration with local animal shelters to trap and safely rehome and relocate cats. Abandoned and feral cats in Regional Parks are a threat to endangered species, many on the brink of extinction.
The Park District has been meeting regularly with area animal shelters since last December and have partnered with them to safely remove free-roaming cats from shoreline parks. So far, the Park District, in partnership with local animal shelters, has successfully trapped and rehomed or relocated over 50 abandoned and feral cats from shoreline parks.
We are confident this robust partnership will result in a sustainable effort to ensure cats are safely removed from parks. It is our goal that with local intervention through animal services, there will be successful relocation of unhoused cats on Park District property. The Regional Parks Foundation is generously providing annual grants to these local Animal Service organizations to support these volunteer efforts and to help with educating the public about the importance of keeping cats out of public parklands. Links to updated policy, updated policy presentation, and support letter from area shelters.
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Now Open: Black Diamond Mines Coal Mine Exhibit / Reservations Required |
The long-awaited Coal Mine Experience Tour at Black Diamond Mines is now open! The new exhibit, built into the existing Hazel-Atlas silica sand mine, is an immersive experience including sights and sounds of a working coal mine from nearly 150 years ago. The Greathouse Visitor Center, located in an underground chamber excavated in the mid-1920s, and the Hazel Atlas Mine Tours, which explores a 1930's era silica sand mine, are open as well. All tours are available by reservation only. Reserve a Tour.
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Now Open: Renovated Del Valle Visitor Center with Interactive Exhibits |
The Park District recently celebrated the completion of a newly remodeled and expanded visitor center at Del Valle Regional Park. The state-of-the-art exhibits include educational and bi-lingual (English and Spanish) visitor experiences and an interactive and engaging activity for all ages to learn about water management and the lake’s water levels. Watch Video.
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Now Open: Swim Facilities Open for 2021 Season |
Jump into summer fun! Select swimming facilities are open at full capacity and no longer require reservations.
-Walk-ins available every day (first-come, first-serve).
-Limited pre-registration available for weekends & holidays only.
-All existing online registrations though July 4 will be honored.
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Now Open: Group Camping and Picnic Areas |
Just in time for summer, group camping and group picnic sites are open for reservation districtwide. Group reservations are by phone only. To reserve group camping or picnic areas, call 888-327-2757, option 2, Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm. More Info.
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Podcast: Wait, There Was A Volcano in the East Bay Hills? |
Learn more about Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve on KQED's Bay Curious podcast featuring an interview and guided tour with Park District naturalist Michael Charnofsky. Listen to podcast.
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Redwood Canyon Golf Course Certified by Audubon International |
Congratulations to Redwood Canyon Golf Course, located at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley, which has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas. Redwood Canyon Golf Course’s accomplishments include:
• Extensive native acreage on the property
• Reducing irrigated areas to conserve water
• Establishing buffers around water bodies
• Providing Excellent Wildlife Habitat
• Conducting water quality testing
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Pride and Parks - All Are Welcome Here
Raising the Pride Flag in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community
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In celebration of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month EBRPD has raised the Pride Flag in parks where flag poles are present. Join us in celebrating diversity in parks and creating welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy. More Info.
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Public Meeting: Roddy Ranch Golf Course |
Join us at the second Roddy Ranch Golf Course Habitat Restoration and Public Access Plan meeting on Thursday, July 1 at 6:30pm. Meeting flyer.
• Learn about progress on habitat restoration, recreation, and public access planning
• Preview and comment on Draft Alternative Park Designs
• Ask questions and provide input to the design team
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"Voices of the Delta" Photography Exhibition |
Big Break Visitor Center invites you to share your wide range of experiences with the East Bay Regional Parks in their "Voices of the Delta" photography exhibit. Contribute to the discussion of how parklands and the Delta have shaped your experiences.
Entries are due July 14, 2021. Photography and stories will be on display August 1 – September 30 in the Big Break Visitor Center. Entry Info.
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Changes Afoot at Regional Park Visitor Centers |
Most Park District visitor centers are now open to the public without reservations or capacity limitations. Many in-person programs have also resumed, with some still requiring advanced reservations. Masks are required indoors and recommended outdoors where crowds are present. Visitor Center Info.
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Connecting Parks to People |
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