News

Regional Parks Foundation Announces 2012 Officers

mnolan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:49:57 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

Regional Parks Foundation Announces 2012 Officers

The following business professionals were appointed as officers of the Regional Parks Foundation Board of Directors for 2012.

President: Rand Swenson, Refinery Manager of Conoco Phillips

Vice President: Bill Acevedo, Attorney, Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP

Secretary: Robert Jacques, VP, Union Bank

Treasurer: Bill Yarborough, SVP, Change Management, Bank of America

The Regional Parks Foundation was established in 1969 to encourage private contributions in support of the East Bay Regional Park District. The Foundation’s mission is to support the East Bay Regional Parks through fundraising that provides broader public access, resource protection and preservation, education and recreational programs, and the acquisition of parklands. Besides directly supporting District programs, the Foundation holds and invests funds for future use by the District.

The Foundation is currently governed by a 15-member volunteer Board of Directors that is composed of corporate leaders from all over the East Bay.

For more information, visit the Regional Parks Foundation web site at: http://www.regionalparksfoundation.org

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01.30.12

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Anthony Chabot Campground Wildland Fuels Management Project Starts Jan. 30, 2012

mnolan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:40:47 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

Anthony Chabot Campground Wildland Fuels Management Project Starts Jan. 30, 2012

Tree thinning operations on 140 acres in East Bay Regional Park District‘s Anthony Chabot Family Campground, located east of Oakland and north of Castro Valley in Anthony Chabot Regional Park, begin Monday, January 30. Crews will begin with felling smaller trees (those 10” or less in diameter) on the steep slopes within the contract area.

“We need to reduce vegetation fuel volumes in the area around the campground to reduce the intensity of wildland fires and to enhance the existing fuel break, access, and evacuation routes,” said East Bay Regional Park District Fire Chief Ken Blonski.

To accommodate the fuels reduction project, the family campground and group camps in Anthony Chabot Regional Park will be closed during weekdays until May. The campgrounds will be open for use Fridays through Sundays.

The East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department uses a variety of methods to reduce the volume and continuity of hazardous wildland fuels, along fuel breaks in the East Bay Hills, and elsewhere within District parks.

“In conjunction with Stewardship resource specialists and Park Operations personnel, we thin and prune trees and shrubs, cut dried grass in heavily used areas and control invasive weeds. This work is accomplished by our own fire engine crews, tree and brush removal contractors, neighborhood conservation groups, goat grazing, prescribed fire, youth hand crews and CAL FIRE inmate labor, Said Blonski.

In 2010, after an extensive process involving diverse stakeholder groups, the East Bay Regional Park District adopted a Wildfire Hazard Reduction and Resource Management Plan. The plan enables the District to make informed, adaptive decisions about ongoing vegetation management based on benefits to public safety, environmental benefits, and available funding and cost effectiveness. The current work at Anthony Chabot Family Campground is part of the plan.

The District, since its creation in 1934, has been a major property owner in the East Bay Hills, and has long been concerned with the risks of uncontrolled wildfire, because it is a serious threat to public safety.

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01.30.12

Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

McNerney to Participate in Marsh Creek Trail Beautification Project Continues Month of Service in Honor of Martin Luther King, J

mnolan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:33:16 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

McNerney to Participate in Marsh Creek Trail Beautification Project Continues Month of Service in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

WHAT: Congressman McNerney and volunteers will help plant additional native plants in a demonstration garden started by the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW) along the Marsh Creek Trail in Brentwood.

WHERE: Starting at the entrance to Marsh Creek Trail at Concord Ave. and Creek Rd. in Brentwood.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 30th, 11am PST

Google Maps link > http://g.co/maps/7ub9g

Representative McNerney is encouraging his constituents to engage in volunteer programs throughout the month of January, in honor of the National Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The Congressman and volunteers from the local non-profit organization Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW) will plant additional native plants adjacent to the trail, at the corner of Concord Avenue and Creek Road in Brentwood. The FOMCW started a native plant demonstration garden with the City of Brentwood and the East Bay Regional Park District on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2009, and have tended the garden since then. The East Bay Regional Park District and the City of Brentwood jointly maintain this section of the Marsh Creek Trail.

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01.27.12

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Crab Cove Visitor Center Designated a Bay Area Green Business

mnolan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:25:06 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

Crab Cove Visitor Center Designated a Bay Area Green Business

The East Bay Regional Park District’s Crab Cove Visitor Center has been designated a certified Bay Area Green Business. The visitor center recently underwent a review and certification process offered through Alameda County’s Environmental Health Department. As part of the process, the county sent auditors to evaluate the facility in four categories: waste prevention, water conservation, pollution prevention and energy conservation. Among the practices in place at Crab Cove are the use of drought-resistant plants, thorough recycling, use of LED lights in exhibits, and water-saving restrooms.

"The District has long been interested in sustainable practices," noted Carol Severin, president of the Park District’s Board of Directors. "This is really a milestone to have recognition at a visitor center, where we hope many people will be inspired to follow suit."

Park District board member and Alameda resident Doug Sidenadded, “This is another example of the District’s commitment to a healthy environment. We’re fortunate in Alameda to have this unique facility in our community.”

Other Park District visitor centers are making improvements as well. Notably, the Exhibit Design department - also based at Crown Memorial State Beach - is steps away from certification and the Environmental Education Center at Tilden Nature Area is on its way as well. "Crab Cove is the first District visitor center to become green certified, but we won’t be the last," says Naturalist Michael Charnofsky, who was instrumental in the effort to “green” the District’s interpretive facilities. Previously the two District equipment shops were certified as green businesses as well.

As an agency, the Park District strives for sustainable practices where possible. For more information about the Park District’s green initiatives, visit our web site at www.ebparks.org/green.

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01.27.12

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Register Today for East Bay Regional Park District’s 2012 Trails Challenge

mnolan — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:44:33 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

Register Today for East Bay Regional Park District’s
2012 Trails Challenge

Downloads > Chinese | Korean | Spanish

Beginning Wednesday, January 18, the East Bay Regional Park District’s nineteenth annual Trails Challenge is accepting registrations for 2012. The popular hiking program surpassed 10,000 participants in 2011. Residents of Alameda and Contra Costa County may register for free again this year, thanks to a partnership with Kaiser Permanente of Northern California and the Regional Parks Foundation.

The Trails Challenge is a self-guided hiking program that gives participants an incentive to visit regional parks new to them, while promoting good health and conditioning through enjoyable outdoor exercise.

Participants who register for the Trails Challenge will receive a free T-shirt and online access to the 2012 trail guidebook. The guidebook includes detailed trail descriptions as well as trails tips, driving directions, and maps for hikes in 20 different Regional Parks or Trails. Hikes range from easy to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians, and many are wheelchair accessible.

This year's theme is "Happy Trails.” In addition to trail information the guidebook includes sections on hiking with kids, hiking with dogs, trail safety and hiking in hot weather.

To register, visit www.ebparks.org, click on “Trails Challenge” in the “Features” section on the right side of the home page, and proceed as directed. Registrants must have an e-mail address, as further instructions will be e-mailed. An e-mail confirmation will provide registration instructions, and details on how to download the guidebook and obtain the free Trails Challenge T-shirt.

In a move towards “going green,” participants are encouraged to print out only portions of the booklet they need, though complete hard copies will be available for $5 each. Besides the specific trail information, the booklet contains general park district information and tips for new trail users.

A free mobile application for iPhone and Android smart phone users allows registered participants to bring the guidebook along with them wherever they go.

To complete the actual challenge, participants are asked to hike five of the trails or 26.2 miles and send in their log after doing so. They will receive a commemorative pin mailed to them. As in past challenges, the honor system applies. Nobody is checking to make sure participants hiked the trails.

The 2012 Trails Challenge includes the following parks and trails:

Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch
Briones Regional Park, Lafayette
California Riding & Hiking Trail, Martinez
Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Martinez
Diablo Foothills Regional Park, Walnut Creek
Dublin Hills Regional Park, Dublin
Garin / Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park, Hayward
Hayward Regional Shoreline, Hayward
Huckleberry Botanic & Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserves, Oakland
Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area, El Sobrante
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, San Ramon
Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Fremont
Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, near Tassajara/Eastern Contra Costa County
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, Pleasanton
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond
Redwood Regional Park, Oakland
Sunol Regional Wilderness, Sunol
Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, Richmond

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01.19.12

Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Park District Continues Fire Season Into January

mnolan — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:21:36 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

Park District Continues Fire Season Into January

Despite the calendar, nature says we’re in fire season now. So East Bay Regional Park District asks everyone to please help keep our parks and visitors safe by observing the fire restrictions.

If the sign or other public notice says the fire danger is "very high" or “extreme” take extra precautions.

•    Obey park or trail closure signs and any other restrictions (such as no campfires, barbecues, or smoking).
•    Be alert and report any small fires immediately by calling 9-1-1. Be prepared to provide information on the fire’s exact location.
•    Use extra caution with charcoal and gas barbecues. Be sure to use your barbecue in a clear area, away from dry grass or brush. Make sure coals are cold before disposing of them.

“Because of the current dry weather conditions, the forecast that they will continue at least for the next week, and recent fire activity, we have returned to fire season operations for dispatching, engine staffing and fire prevention,” said EBRPD Fire Chief Ken Blonski.

“This will continue until we receive a sufficient amount of rain and the weather outlook indicates more on the way. At that point, we can return to normal winter mode fire operations,” said Blonski.
Of the 6,000+ wildfires that CAL FIRE responds to every year, more than 90% are caused by people.
More information about fire danger in the parks can be found at http://www.ebparks.org/about/fire/signs

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01.13.12

Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally in Oakland

mnolan — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:20:48 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis

News

Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally in Oakland

Oakland, CA – Celebrating twenty years, Oakland’s longest continuing celebration of the life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will feature a multicultural rally Monday, January 16, 2012 from 10:00 am until noon (doors open at 9:00 am) at the ILWU Union Hall, 99 Hegenberger Road near the Oakland Airport.

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and other elected officials will attend with greetings and special remarks. Belva Davis, award winning author and journalist, will be the keynote speaker and will also be available for a book signing of her recently-published autobiography titled “Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism.” Also speaking will be youth speakers from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Center. Special music will be provided by the East Oakland Senior Center Choir.

The annual Betita Coty Award for Outstanding Community Service will be presented to Gladys Green, long-term resident and community activist in Oakland.

Presiding will be Rev. Martha Taylor of Elmhurst Presbyterian Church in Oakland and Rev. Doug Siden of the East Bay Regional Park District. This free event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Parking will be available courtesy of Francesco’s Restaurant at the corner of Hegenberger and Pardee across the street from Union Hall.

Call Committee Chairman Otis Sanders at 510-798-5535 for more information.

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01.11.12

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

East Bay Regional Park District Mourns Conservationist and Trail Advocate, Hulet Hornbeck

mnolan — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:06:30 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

East Bay Regional Park District Mourns Conservationist and Trail Advocate, Hulet Hornbeck

The East Bay Regional Park District notes with sadness the recent death of Hulet Hornbeck, 92, former Chief of Land Acquisition, East Bay Regional Park District and longtime advocate for parks and recreational trails.

Hulet enjoyed a distinguished career as Chief of Land Acquisition of the East Bay Regional Park District from 1965 through 1985, serving legendary leaders William Penn Mott and Richard Trudeau. Hulet is credited with overseeing the acquisition of 49,000 acres of parkland, expanding the District’s land holdings from eight parks (13,000 acres) to 46 parks (62,000 acres) thus securing the unique position that the East Bay Regional Park District still enjoys today as being the largest regional park system in the nation.

Robert Doyle, who now serves as the general manager of the East Bay Regional Park District and worked for many years with Hulet Hornbeck, considered him a mentor. Doyle reflected on his many achievements within the East Bay Regional Park District and open space park agencies nationwide.

"Hulet shared a vision of growth for the Park District, and he knew how to carry it out. Always innovative and visionary, he could really push everyone to get things done, one step at a time. A member of the Greatest Generation, he was always looking to the future, at what could be. He had a sharp legal mind; even at 92, he was still giving advice. Hulet truly loved this District and its people," said Doyle.

Doyle also credits Hornbeck with envisioning the Park District’s interconnected trail system which, at over 200 miles, is now a national model in urban planning.

A lifetime conservationist and outdoorsman, Hulet held many positions in local trail and conservation organizations, receiving many honors and awards. He provided leadership for such organizations as the California Conservation Council, the American Hiking Society, the National Trails Council, the Martinez Land Trust, the Trails and Greenways Foundation, American Trails, Heritage Trails Fund, Amigos de Anza, the California Recreational Trails Committee, the East Bay Area Trails Council, the American Trails Association, Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation, and the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club.

East Bay Regional Park District Board Member, Ted Radke who has served on the board for over 30 years worked directly with Hornbeck. Radke says, “Hulet made major contributions to the District with his commitment to public service. But it really was his integrity that is most memorable. He set the tone for the District which is still reflective in everything this agency does.”

In recognition of his tireless efforts in parkland development and management on behalf of the East Bay Regional Park District, the California Riding and Hiking Trail segment in Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline was renamed in honor of Hulet Hornbeck. The Hulet Hornbeck Trail was dedicated on October 14, 2005 on the occasion of his birthday.

In February, the East Bay Regional Park District will be hosting a celebration of Hulet Hornbeck’s life and achievements. The date and location will be announced soon with the intention of hosting the event at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley Hills. Our friends at American Trails have created a lovely dedication to Hulet Hornbeck where visitors can leave messages. We encourage you to visit at http://americantrails.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/we-lost-a-friend-and-a-legend-today-hulet-hornbeck/.

Information about the future celebration in honor of Hulet Hornbeck will be on the Park District’s website www.ebparks.org shortly.

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01.11.12

Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Carol Severin Named President of East Bay Regional Park District Board

mnolan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:55:26 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

Carol Severin Named President of East Bay Regional Park District Board

Carol Severin is the new president of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors for the year 2012. A resident of Castro Valley, Carol is a retired professor of recreation from San Francisco State University. She has been on the Park District board since 1994, representing: Castro Valley, Hayward, Union City, and portions of Fremont, Pleasanton and Dublin. Prior to that, she served 14 years as a board member of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. Carol has held statewide positions with the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts, and is currently on the Board of Directors of that organization. She has been a board member of California Special Districts Association and treasurer and director of the California Park and Recreation Society. Carol Severin succeeds Beverly Lane of Danville, who served as board president during 2011.

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01.10.12

Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Holiday Gift Guide | 2011

mnolan — Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:44:24 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

Holiday Gift Guide | 2011

Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice? Check your list and then head to your nearest East Bay Regional Park for all your holiday gift ideas.

Pick up a nature-themed gift at one of our visitor centers. You’ll find field guides, toys, jewelry, notebooks and many other intriguing items. The selection varies at each location. Visitor Centers with gift items: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Coyote Hills Regional Park, Crab Cove Visitor Center, Sunol Regional Wilderness (weekends only), Tilden Nature Area. Call or check individual park web pages for hours before you go. Visitor Centers

For the dog-lovers, swing by Mudpuppy’s Tub & Scrub at Point
Isabel Regional Shoreline, for dog toys, treats and supplies.

Families with young children may enjoy tickets to popular
concessions such as the Golden State Model Railroad Museum at Miller/Knox
Regional Shoreline in Richmond, or the Steam Train or Merry-Go-Round in
Tilden Regional Park.

For the outdoor adventurer, create a homemade gift certificate for your loved one to enjoy a day of
boating, golf, or horse-back riding at your favorite park.

Order T-shirts and other collectible items at the Park District’s online store.

Native plants make a great gift for the gardener! Visit the
Regional Parks Botanic Garden – volunteers sell plans Thursdays from 9
to 11 am, weather permitting.

Purchase a membership in the Regional Parks Foundation for a park
and trail enthusiast in your life; or make a donation in someone’s name
to support programs in the parks. Contact the Regional Parks Foundation

Happy Holidays from the East Bay Regional Park District!

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Christmas Tree Habitat for Fish Project - Volunteers Needed January 7, 2012

mnolan — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:26:04 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

Christmas Tree Habitat for Fish Project
Volunteers Needed January 7, 2012

The East Bay Regional Park District, Black Bass Action Committee, Boy Scouts of America, and Walton’s Pond will host a day of fish habitat improvements at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area on Saturday, January 7, at 8 a.m.

Thanks to the donation of about 1,000 unsold Christmas trees by East Bay tree vendors, this activity will provide needed habitat for bass, bluegill, and sunfish in Rainbow Lake, part of Quarry Lakes.

Volunteers can work off that holiday turkey and help the fisheries at the same time by attaching Christmas trees to chains!

Volunteers should arrive at Quarry Lakes at 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012 rain or shine. Bring short boots and warm clothes you can get dirty. A breakfast of fruit, rolls, juice, and coffee will start the event along with an orientation on how to accomplish the task ahead! At the conclusion of the project, about 1 p.m., a hot sandwich lunch will be provided.

Meet at:

Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area
2100 Isherwood Way
Fremont, Ca. 94536

For more information, call or email Fisheries Program Manager Pete Alexander at (510) 544-2342 or palexander@ebparks.org or call Fisheries Resource Analyst Joe Sullivan at (510) 544-2329.

Direction: From I-880, take the Decoto Road/Hwy. 84 exit east to Paseo Padre Parkway, turn right, and then left on Isherwood Way to the park entrance. From Mission Blvd in Fremont, turn south on Nursery Avenue, right (west) on Niles Blvd, left on Osprey Drive, and left on Quarry Lakes Drive to the park entrance.

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Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Christmas at Ardenwood | 2011

mnolan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:50:05 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

Christmas at Ardenwood

Ardenwood Historic Farm - Fremont, CA
Saturday and Sunday
December 3 and 4, 2011
10 am to 4 pm

Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style! Visit the beautifully decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, search for the Yule log, and visit Father Christmas. Listen to live musical performances, puppet shows and enter our home-made 'Christmas Cookie' baking contest (bring your cookies & recipe with you). The day also includes an abundance of Christmas crafts, music, and country kitchen treats. Fee: $8/adults, $6/seniors (62+ yrs.), $5/children (4-17 yrs.), children 3 yrs. & under are free.
For further information, call (510) 544-2797.

Download > Event Flyer, Activity Schedule, and Cookie Contest Flyer (4.6 MB, 3 pp.)

.:*:.

11.21.11

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Park District Buys Over 300 Acres Near Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

mnolan — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:23:21 -0800

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

Park District Buys Over 300 Acres Near Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

The East Bay Regional Park District Board on December 6 approved the purchase for $1.45M of 362 acres directly east and adjacent to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, located on San Pablo Dam Road in the City of Richmond.

“We are very pleased to be able to acquire this beautiful land, the largest parcel acquired by the district in west Contra Costa County in 35 years,” said EBPRD Director Whitney Dotson of Richmond. The property contains a mix of oak woodlands and grassland, and will provide new public access from San Pablo Dam Road on the eastern side of Wildcat Canyon.

At park district staff recommendation, the property will be placed in land bank status until a land use plan amendment for the park can be completed.

“We are fortunate to have funds available from bond measures passed by the voters, at this time when strategically located lands are coming available on the market,” said Dotson. “We are making great strides in achieving our mission to preserve open space, parks and trails for the healthful enjoyment of the public.”

More information and photos are on the District web site on the Public Meetings / Notices page in the board meeting packet for December 6, 2011.

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12.12.11

Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Monarch Butterflies

mnolan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:53:01 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

Monarch Butterflies

Each winter, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) from the western U.S. and Canada migrate hundreds of miles to coastal California and Baja California, Mexico. They seek protection from freezing temperatures and winter storms, which they find in temperate forest groves along the Pacific coast.

In the East Bay, monarchs migrate to and spend the winter at four primary locations: Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Richmond), Coyote Hills Regional Park (Fremont), Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont), and the Monarch Bay Golf Course in San Leandro.

Monarch populations fluctuate greatly; as many as 25,000 were counted at Ardenwood in 1997, with more modest numbers in recent years varying from two hundred to two thousand. This year the numbers look promising for Bay Area monarchs, although the official annual count won’t be done until Thanksgiving weekend.

The butterflies will remain clustered in sheltered groves until longer days and warmer temperatures signal the time to begin mating. After mating, the male monarchs will expire and the fertilized females will disperse in search of milkweed onto which they will deposit their eggs.

According to Park District Resource Analyst Jessica Sheppard, the best time to view clustering monarchs is in the morning, before the ambient temperature reaches 55 degrees (Fahrenheit), or late in the afternoon. In the warmth of the midday sun, many of the butterflies leave the trees seeking flowers and water.

Guided monarch walks and programs for all ages are offered at Ardenwood Historic Farm on weekends, from late November through February 5th.

Richmond area visitors may seek out a clustering group of several hundred monarchs at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Their resting spot - high in the trees south of Biazi Trail - is marked with flagging tape on nearby trees.

For program information visit the East Bay Regional Park District’s web site at www.ebparks.org or call 1 (888) 327-2757.

> Monarch Programs

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

District Publishes Book about Rose Hill Cemetery

mnolan — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:33:22 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

District Publishes Book about Rose Hill Cemetery

A new book published this year by the East Bay Regional Park District documents the history of the Rose Hill Cemetery, now a part of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. The book by Supervising Naturalist Traci Parent is based on her 30 years of research into the history of the people buried there.

From the 1860s to the turn of the 20th century, Black Diamond was the site of California’s largest coal-producing region. Known as the Mount Diablo Coal Field, the area once boasted the five thriving communities of Nortonville, Somersville, Stewartville, West Hartley and Judsonville.

Rose Hill Cemetery was created in the early 1860s and served as a Protestant burial ground for the coal field families. Although over 200 burials have been documented through research, it is likely that more interments exist. Once the site of neglect and vandalism, the cemetery and many of its gravestones have been painstakingly restored over recent decades by Park District rangers.

Researched over three decades through newspaper accounts, obituaries, and family histories, Rose Hill: A Comprehensive History of a Pioneer Cemetery is the only comprehensive account of the people interred in the cemetery.

Through the records brought together in the 1000-plus-page book, details come to light not just of the residents’ deaths, but also of their lives in the then-remote yet bustling communities of the Mount Diablo Coal Field. Accounts of town concerts, weddings and celebrations paint a picture of the lighter side of life in the towns, in a time when horse-and-buggy was the common mode of transportation, and modern sewage and plumbing were not yet available in this rural community.

Daily life in the mining towns was filled with challenges and hard work. In fact, the majority of the individuals interred in the cemetery are children who died from disease when epidemics swept through the coal field. Some of the more prevalent diseases to claim young lives were diphtheria, scarlet fever, and smallpox. Advertisements and newspaper articles of the day reference cures – many of dubious efficacy. Other articles offer practical advice for limiting contagion. Mine explosions, other industrial mishaps, and horse-riding accidents were the cause of many of the adults’ deaths.

With over 600 images, including diagrams, photographs and contemporary newspaper accounts, the book gives the reader a fascinating look into local history and life as it once was in the coal towns of East Contra Costa County.

The book Rose Hill: A Comprehensive History of a Pioneer Cemetery is available at the Black Diamond Visitor Center for $65. Proceeds from the sale of the book are used for the repair of gravestones in Rose Hill Cemetery.

For more information about obtaining the book or visiting Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve call the Park District at 1 (888) 327-2757.

11.14.11

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

REI Supports Tri-Valley Park and Trail Improvements

Lanepowell — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:29:39 -0700

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

REI Supports Tri-Valley Park and Trail Improvements

Regional Parks in the Tri-Valley area of the East Bay will benefit from a recent $10,000 grant from outdoor gear and clothing company REI. The grant was presented October 27 to the Regional Parks Foundation, in conjunction with the opening of the new REI store in Dublin, California. The funds will support East Bay Regional Park District trail maintenance projects.

In Dublin, a trail maintenance project is planned for Dublin Regional Park. Under professional supervision, volunteers working with the East Bay Regional Park District’s Ivan Dickson Volunteer Trail Maintenance program will use handtools to slope, groom, and brush portions on the Martin Canyon Creek Trail. The completed project will produce a new narrow and natural surface trail at the park, and provide access to the park from west Dublin. Volunteers will also work on a paved trail in the Dublin region; the specific project is yet be determined.   On September 24, employees of the Dublin REI store partnered with EBRPD staff on a trail maintenance project in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park to control run-off, remove obstructions, and prune poison oak from local trails. Funds from REI are used to cover staff costs, materials, lunch, and tools for the volunteer projects.

“The support from REI has a huge impact,” stated East Bay Regional Park District Board President Beverly Lane. “When you bring out 60 volunteers in a day to work on a trail, it’s work that would be nearly impossible for the park staff to address alone.” The Park District has just three rangers for the area including Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, Dublin Regional Park, and the land banked areas of Vargas Plateau (Fremont hills) and Pleasanton Ridge – a total area of approximately 9,000 acres.

Ayn Wieskamp, the Board of Directors member representing Dublin and Pleasanton, remarked, “It’s exciting to have REI local and involved, right here in the Tri-Valley. The trails are so important to everyone, and volunteers can really make a tremendous difference.”

The Regional Parks Foundation celebrates a 19-year history of partnering with REI, including the four previously established East Bay stores in Berkeley, Brentwood, Concord, and Fremont. REI has sponsored trail and recreation events including the National Trails Day, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council annual day of service, and REI employee workdays in the parks. Earlier this year REI awarded the foundation a $22,000 matching grant, offering opportunities for community engagement and outdoor stewardship of the parks throughout the year.

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Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

South Park Drive Closes for Newt Crossings Starting November 1, 2011

mnolan — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:24:11 -0700

Contact name

Emily Hopkins

News

South Park Drive Closes for Newt Crossings Starting November 1, 2011

South Park Drive in Tilden Regional Park will be closed from November 1, 2011 at 7:00 a.m. to April 1, 2012 for our amphibious friends, the California newts, to cross the road safely as they make their way to Wildcat Creek to mate. Visitors can still drive through the park by using Grizzly Peak Blvd., Wildcat Canyon Road and Central Park Drive.

“The newt is a type of salamander that is five to six inches long, brown on top and a gold-bronze color below. It remains dormant in the dry season living in woods and other sheltered places.. With the arrival of rains, newts migrate to streams and ponds to mate,” says Tilden Supervising Naturalist Dave Zuckermann.

Hundreds of newts each year rely on crossing the street as a means to reach Wildcat Creek for breeding.

Although not an officially threatened species, the overall newt population has decreased over the past several decades primarily due to loss of habitat. Road kill is a major contributor to adult mortality in areas with an urban wildlife interface. Based on staff research in partnership with UC Berkeley, the Park District takes a proactive role in keeping newts thriving in Tilden Regional Park by closing the road for the annual migration.

“Newts have few natural enemies, because their skin is poisonous to most other animals. They secrete a toxic substance from their skin that causes great discomfort if it comes in contact with eyes or mouth. It can be fatal if ingested,” says Zuckerman. If you accidentally come in contact with a newt you should always wash your hands and especially keep dogs away to avoid a costly visit to the vet.

The newts are protected by law; it’s illegal to collect them and remove them from the wild. And they don’t live long outside their natural habitat.

Tilden Environmental Education Center offers many programs throughout the season to observe this migration. Walkers and cyclists (with care) can use the road, while keeping an eye out for newts. For more information on Regional Parks
programs phone 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757) option 2.

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Contact Email

ehopkins@ebparks.org

Federal Grant Brings Civicorps Crews to Park District for Fuels Management Projects

mnolan — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:32:25 -0700

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Isa Polt-Jones

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Federal Grant Brings Civicorps Crews to Park District for Fuels Management Projects

The East Bay Regional Park District is working with Bay Area non-profit organization Civicorps to reduce flammable plant materials and do other important maintenance work in the parks. The Park District had hired Civicorps crews to work alongside Park District staff in the past. This year the Park District increased the training, equipment and scope of the work with Civicorps, thanks to $600,000 in federal stimulus funding, secured by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Jerry McNerney. The US Department of Labor, Education and Training Administration provided the grant.

Training began in spring 2011, led by Park District Fire Captain Brian Cordeiro. Crews were trained in fuels management and fire suppression techniques. They are equipped to fight fires, and to work on prescribed burns and other park conservation projects.

The Civicorps crew has assisted with managing fuels in Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (Oakland), Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (Richmond), Sibley Regional Volcanic Preserve (Oakland), and Leona Canyon Regional Preserve (Oakland), among other East Bay locations. Civicorps is a non-profit organization providing opportunities and education to urban youths.

10.18.11

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Park District Names New Assistant General Manager - Jim O’Connor

mnolan — Thu, 1 Sep 2011 12:09:28 -0700

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Shelly Lewis

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Park District Names New Assistant General Manager - Jim O'Connor

Oakland, CA – On September 1, 2011, East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert E. Doyle announced the selection of Jim O’Connor as the new Assistant General Manager of Operations. He will replace John Escobar, who will retire at the end of September 2011.

O’Connor has over 34 years of parks and recreation experience, most recently as Deputy Director of Park Operations with Santa Clara County.

Since beginning as a teenager, O’Connor has spent his entire career in park-oriented fields, with experience in park operations, law enforcement, maintenance, resource management, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. He has worked in Sequoia National Park in California, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and Olympic National Park in Washington. At Santa Clara County, O’Connor began as a park ranger in 1991 and was promoted several times to his current position as Deputy Director.

“Jim has a unique and rare set of skills that will serve the East Bay Regional Park District well,” said Doyle. “Along with understanding complicated environmental issues, he has worked in a very urbanized and diverse area, much like the East Bay, and even has experience in law enforcement.” Along with lauding O’Connor’s strong park operations skills, Doyle is also impressed with his enthusiasm and innovative ideas. “Jim will add a new perspective to the management and operations of the East Bay Regional Park District well into the future. I look forward to Jim joining our team.”

O’Connor states, “I have long considered the East Bay Regional Park District a world-class park organization. I feel honored to be selected to fill the Assistant General Manager position and look forward to joining the District team.”

O’Connor has a bachelor's degree in biology from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He completed the National Park Service Seasonal Ranger Law Enforcement Academy and has previously held a secondary teaching credential in life science and physical science. He is married and lives in Gilroy. His wife Dawn is a middle school science teacher with an MS in Educational Leadership. He has a daughter who attends Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo and a son in middle school. The O’Connor family plans to relocate to the East Bay.

The East Bay Regional Park District, located in the San Francisco East Bay area, is the largest regional park agency in the nation, with 65 parks, 109,000+ acres, and over 1,150 miles of trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The Park Operations Division is comprised of over 400 employees including park rangers and staff from the maintenance, skilled trades, recreation, volunteer, and interpretive departments. The East Bay Regional Park District also has a Public Safety Division with its own sworn police officers and fire department working closely with the Park Operations.

Jim O’Connor

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Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

East Bay Regional Park District Hosts Anza Expedition Interpretive Panel Preview

mnolan — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:19:10 -0700

Contact name

Brenda Montano

News

East Bay Regional Park District Hosts Anza Expedition Interpretive Panel Preview

Friday, August 26, 2011 11:00am

On Friday, August 26, 2011, at 11:00 am the East Bay Regional Park District will host a preview event for a series of newly installed interpretive panels that highlight a part of the historic 1775-1776 Spanish Expedition led by Lt. colonel Juan Bautista de Anza. The preview event will be at Contra Loma Regional Park located at 1200 Frederickson Lane in Antioch. Speakers will include Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Park District Board President and local historian; Steven Ross, National Park Service. The preview includes replicas of the panels and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Park District, in conjunction with the National Park Service, has created fourteen interpretive panels that have been installed, or will soon be installed, throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties along a route close to the Anza route of 1776.

The first twelve panels, at East Bay Regional Park District parks and trails, were installed this summer. The installation of the two final panels will be done by the City of Oakland at their Peralta Hacienda sometime after the panels are completed in October.

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is administered by the U.S. National Park Service. This 1,210-mile historic route extends from Nogales, Arizona on the U.S.-Mexico border, through the desert and coastal areas in Southern California along the Central Coast region to the San Francisco Bay Area.

The trail commemorates the story of the 1775-1776 Spanish Expedition led by Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza. The expedition left Mexico with 240 settlers, soldiers, and others bound for Alta California to colonize the region, explore, and establish San Francisco’s presidio and mission. Anza’s smaller East Bay exploration in March and April is depicted in the fourteen interpretive panels.

The panels are meant to help visitors retrace the travels of Anza and learn about the profound changes set in motion by the Expedition on the future of the people and the land.

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Contact Email

bmontano@ebparks.org

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Regional Parks Foundation Announces 2012 Officers

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Regional Parks Foundation Announces 2012 Officers

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Anthony Chabot Campground Wildland Fuels Management Project Starts Jan. 30, 2012

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Anthony Chabot Campground Wildland Fuels Management Project Starts Jan. 30, 2012

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McNerney to Participate in Marsh Creek Trail Beautification Project Continues Month of Service in Honor of Martin Luther King, J

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McNerney to Participate in Marsh Creek Trail Beautification Project Continues Month of Service in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Crab Cove Visitor Center Designated a Bay Area Green Business

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Crab Cove Visitor Center Designated a Bay Area Green Business

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Register Today for East Bay Regional Park District’s 2012 Trails Challenge

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Register Today for East Bay Regional Park District’s 2012 Trails Challenge

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Park District Continues Fire Season Into January

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Park District Continues Fire Season Into January

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally in Oakland

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally in Oakland

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East Bay Regional Park District Mourns Conservationist and Trail Advocate, Hulet Hornbeck

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East Bay Regional Park District Mourns Conservationist and Trail Advocate, Hulet Hornbeck

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Carol Severin Named President of East Bay Regional Park District Board

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Carol Severin Named President of East Bay Regional Park District Board

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Holiday Gift Guide | 2011

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Holiday Gift Guide | 2011

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Christmas Tree Habitat for Fish Project - Volunteers Needed January 7, 2012

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Christmas Tree Habitat for Fish Project Volunteers Needed January 7, 2012

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Christmas at Ardenwood | 2011

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Christmas at Ardenwood

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Park District Buys Over 300 Acres Near Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

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Park District Buys Over 300 Acres Near Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

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Monarch Butterflies

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Monarch Butterflies

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District Publishes Book about Rose Hill Cemetery

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District Publishes Book about Rose Hill Cemetery

11.14.11

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REI Supports Tri-Valley Park and Trail Improvements

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Register Today for East Bay Regional Park District’s
2012 Trails Challenge

Christmas Tree Habitat for Fish Project
Volunteers Needed January 7, 2012