Max Korten Appointed Park District General Manager | Please join us in congratulating Max Korten, who was appointed General Manager by the Park District Board of Directors on Aug. 4. Max had served as Acting General Manager previously. With extensive experience, a passion for protecting parks and the environment, and a commitment to serving our communities, he is well positioned to guide the Park District into the future. Read more. | Two New Executive Leaders Join the East Bay Regional Park District | The Park District is adding new leadership to the executive team. On Aug. 10, the District announced the hiring of Amy Wooldridge as Deputy General Manager and Kirsten Holder as Assistant General Manager of Acquisition, Stewardship, and Planning. “Both Amy and Kirsten bring extensive public-sector leadership experience, a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, and a deep understanding of the communities and landscapes of the East Bay,” said General Manager Max Korten. Read more. | Fremont Fire Department Engineer Paramedic Eisfeld, Park District Police Tactical Flight Officer Saunders and Officer Pilot Keefer pose with Samaira (age 7) | Park District Police Officers Receive Lifesaving Award for Mission Peak Rescue | At the September 1 board meeting, Officer Pilot Nina Keefer and Tactical Flight Officer Alec Saunders were recognized with Lifesaving Awards for their response to a medical emergency at Mission Peak Regional Preserve. They were joined by Fremont Fire Engineer Paramedic Ryan Eisfeld and the girl and her family during the special presentation. The officers' actions highlight the training, teamwork, and dedication of Park District police officers in responding to emergencies and protecting park visitors. Read more. | Free Fishing Day: Saturday, Sept. 5 | We’re waiving fees for anglers! Saturday, Sept. 5 is a free fishing day in East Bay Regional Parks, as both state and Park District fishing fees/licenses are waived for all visitors. This is a great opportunity for those who want to try fishing for the first time! For more information, check out the Park District's Fishing webpage. | | Help Shape the Future of East Bay Regional Parks | |
Don’t miss your opportunity to share feedback on the draft goals and priorities for the Park District’s next strategic plan. Meet with staff at one of these upcoming events and tell us which issues you think should be prioritized in the years ahead:
Sept. 12, 1–2:30 p.m.
Parks & Community Resource Fair
Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline
900 Dornan Dr., Point Richmond
AC Transit line 72M
Sept. 19, 1–2:30 p.m.
Parks & Community Resource Fair
Antioch Community Center
4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch
Tri Delta Transit line 375
| Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15-Oct. 15 | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, by discovering nature stories and learning about contributions from Hispanic and Latin American cultures. Hispanic Heritage Month Programs. | Bicycle and e-Bike Safety Enforcement Operation on Contra Costa Trails: Sept. 17
Working Together for Safer Trails, Streets and Schools | On Thursday, Sept. 17, the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department will partner with multiple neighboring law enforcement agencies to conduct targeted bicycle and e-bike safety enforcement operations. Participating officers will focus on speed, helmet use, and compliance with applicable traffic laws on city streets and regional trails. The operation will promote safer riding practices, increase voluntary compliance with traffic laws, and address unsafe behaviors that may pose a risk to bicyclists, e-bike riders, pedestrians, and motorists. | Coastal Cleanup Day: Saturday, Sept. 19 | |
Help restore, clean, and preserve East Bay shorelines and waterways during the annual Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9am to noon. The Park District's cleanup locations include bayside beaches, shoreline trails, and inland lakes. Staff and volunteers will work together to collect and dispose of litter and recyclables, beautify the shorelines, and help maintain delicate ecosystems.
Supplies will be provided - simply sign up, show up, and help out. All trash will be collected at the end of the event by Park District staff. More info.
Drop in or register for one of these Coastal Cleanup Day locations:
- Bay Point Regional Shoreline
- Del Valle Regional Park
- Hayward Regional Shoreline
- Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline
- Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
- Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
- Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area
- Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline
- Robert W. Crown Regional Shoreline
| | Hit the Trails With a Guided Trails Challenge Hike | |
Saturday, Sept. 5, 9am-1pm: Black Diamond Trails Challenge
Join a guided hike through the rugged beauty of this park and cross one of the most adventurous and beautiful trails off your list. Hike through the challenging landscapes, discover the park's rich natural and cultural history, and enjoy the trails with community. Registration required.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 9:30am-1:30pm: Wednesday Walk: Roberts
Take this shady, moderate 5-mile Trails Challenge hike traversing Roberts and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Hike up and down the hills, through the lush forest, for a total of 1112 ft. elevation gain. Wear sturdy footwear, bring water and a snack, and dress in layers for the weather. Ages 8 years and up. Drop in; meet at the lower parking lot.
| Celebrate California Biodiversity Week: Sept. 5-13 | The Park District's Biodiversity Week guided programs kick off on Saturday, Sept. 5, at locations across the Park District. Programs will include bioblitzes, nature and culture walks, activities, and more. Observe the many plants and animals that call our parklands home and learn to use tools that help scientists record biodiversity. Check out Biodiversity programs. | | Garin Apple Festival: Sept. 6 | Discover a bushel of orchard-inary adventures at the Garin Apple Festival on Sunday, Sept. 6 from 10am to 2pm. Take guided tours of the historic apple orchard and participate in nature-themed crafts. Enjoy live bluegrass music, heritage apple tasting, cider pressing, and old fashioned lawn games. Activities take place around the barn area. | | UN International Day of Peace at Lake Chabot: Sept. 27 | Join us at the annual UN International Day of Peace on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 4pm at Lake Chabot Regional Park's Cove Picnic Site. Celebrate with the United Nations East Bay Chapter and Eden Area Interfaith Council at this special gathering. Connect with community organizations, engage in dialogue and reflection with this year's theme, hear community peace messages, and enjoy activities, music, and food. More info. | | Regional Parks Foundation Launches a Fresh Strategy | The Regional Parks Foundation recently announced its new five-year strategic plan, strengthening its role as the Park District’s philanthropic partner. The new, bold plan will bolster the Foundation’s fundraising capacity, increase park access for East Bay communities, and support Park District programming, environmental stewardship, and the development of new parklands. Explore the Foundation's new strategic plan. | | Labor Day Open House at Crab Cove: Sept. 7 | |
Enjoy a day of fun at Crab Cove! On Monday, Sept. 7, the Visitor Center will be open from 10am to 4pm for an all-day Labor Day open house.
Activities include:
• 11:30am - Turtle Talk
• 1:30pm - Beach trash pick-up (supplies provided)
• 2:30 pm - Snake Secrets
• All Day - Crafts on the Visitor Center deck
More info.
| Greathouse Visitor Center Labor Day Open House at Black Diamond Mines: Sept. 7 | Celebrate Labor Day at Black Diamond Mines on Monday, Sept. 7, from 10am to 2pm. Stop by the underground Greathouse Visitor Center to participate in family-friendly crafts, learn about mining history, and make new discoveries about this beautiful park. The 1/4-mile route from the upper parking lot to the Visitor Center includes partially paved and partially gravel terrain with some mild incline. More info. | Sunset Photography Walk at Big Break: Sept. 10 | Stroll through Big Break Regional Park and document the joy of nature all around. Head to Big Break on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 6:30-7:30pm, to capture photos of the Delta as the sun sets. Photos from this walk can be submitted to the annual Photography Exhibit hosted by Big Break Visitor Center, from Oct. 30 to Nov.8. More info. | Free Outdoor Movie Night at Tilden: Sept. 11 | Head to the Tilden Nature Area on Saturday, Sept. 11 for a free showing of the hit movie GOAT, rated PG with a run time of 1 hour 40 minutes. The movie begins shortly after sunset (around 7:15pm). Arrive early to secure a good seat on the lawn. Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, and a blanket or chairs for sitting. No pets. Rain cancels. More info. | Sunrise Surprise at Sunol: Sept. 12 | Get an early start on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 6:15 to 8:45am, on this moderate hike through stunning landscapes at Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve. Observe how light, sound, and animal activity changes as the sun rises and the "night shift" comes to a close. Ages 8 and up. More info. | | Cafecito in Nature con las Plantas Nativas at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden: Sept. 12 | On Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10:30am to noon, join a guided bilingual walk (Spanish/English) through the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden. Paseando through the Botanic Garden is like taking a walk through the entire state of California, con énfasis sobre nuestras plantas. Find out why our native plants are so unique and diverse, como nosotros! More info. | Creepy or Cool? at Del Valle: Sept. 12, 19, & 26 | It’s the fall spooky season at Del Valle Regional Park! There are many animals that live in the park that some would call creepy, crawly, or weird, but are they actually as scary as they seem? Join us at the Visitor Center to discover facts about one of these animals through fun activities and see if they really are creepy or cool. Saturdays from Sept.12 through Oct. 17, from 2:30-3:30pm. More info. | Apple Orchard Tour at Garin: Sept. 13 & 26 | Join us on Saturday, Sept. 12 and 26, from 10 to 11am, for a rare walking tour of the orchard at Garin Regional Park. This amazing orchard boasts hundreds of historic varieties of apple, plum, and other fruit trees, lovingly tended by Park District staff and volunteers. Sturdy, close-toed shoes and long pants are highly recommended for this uphill walk. Ages 7 and up. Registration required. More info. | Neat Nests at Coyote Hills: Sept. 26 | Songbirds, hawks, squirrels, and bees are among the many different animals that build their nests in Coyote Hills Regional Park. On Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11am to noon, learn about various types of nest construction and then make one yourself out of natural materials outside the Visitor Center. More info. | Not-So-Scary Scarecrows at Ardenwood: Sept. 27 | Farmers have been using scarecrows to keep their crops safe for centuries. On Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11:30am to 12:30pm, learn the history and lore of scarecrows, and then make your own to take home. More info. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
