On March 4, the East Bay Regional Park District will remove a fence at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park in Richmond and re-open the grassy meadow area to the public and some very happy dogs. This is the final sign-off of a two-phased project that began last April and included repairing asphalt along a heavily-used trail, creating a new patio area at the café, and improving the irrigation and turf on grassy areas.

The budgeted $765,500 project had been in the planning stages for some time and was initiated by late East Bay Regional Parks Board Director, Jean Siri. It was her long term goal to upgrade this high use park facility. Because of its popularity with dog owners, she envisioned a year-round grassy meadow where owners could play with their dogs. Park District supervisors and construction managers are pleased with the results, particularly of the grassy meadow which should be welcoming all year long. The project includes a state-of-the-art irrigation system that allows staff to monitor and control all aspects of irrigation over the internet for maximum water efficiency. This system is also being installed at other regional parks such as Middle Harbor in Oakland and Crown Beach in Alameda.

In late spring, the Park District will host an official ceremony renaming the staging area and new meadow after Director Siri.

Point Isabel has become a premiere destination for park visitors and their dogs with an estimated one million visits per year. The park has gained national notoriety and was named the Number One Dog Park in the Country by PETA. Although not classified as a dog park per se, it is one of the few locations in the State that permits dogs off-leash under voice control to romp the 32-acre park and swim in the Bay. Due to its level trails and extensive views of the Bay, the park is also popular with those in wheelchairs and pushing strollers along with birdwatchers and anglers.

Funding for a major portion of this project was from Measure AA, a $225 million bond passed by voters in 1988, and the District’s General Fund. The park, with the exception of the meadow, was open during construction. Point Isabel is located at 2701 Isabel Street in Richmond, California.

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