• 6 acres of new turf and resurfaced trails
• New water saving irrigation
• New group picnic site
• New patio at Sit and Stay Cafe

The East Bay Regional Park District began overseeing a two-phased project at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Richmond. The project includes repairing asphalt along a heavily-used trail and improving the irrigation and turf on grassy areas. The improvement project may run through the end of 2007 and will be done in phases to allow parts of the park to remain open to visitors.

The nearly $500,000 project has 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.

Point Isabel has become a premier destination for park visitors and their dogs, with an estimated one million visits per year. The park has gained national notoriety and was recently 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.

The first phase of the project will include repairing and repaving the asphalt trail next to the Hoffman Channel and around the Isabel Street cul-de-sac. The East Bay Regional Park District has awarded a construction contract to Fanfa Inc. for this project. To ensure the safety of pets, some areas will be fenced off during restoration. The gardening herbicide "Round-up Pro" was safely applied twice in May to closed areas for foxtail and weed abatement. One or two additional treatments may be required in fenced off areas either later in the summer or early fall. The staff will notify public through on-location signage and also via the website at least 24 hours prior to applying the herbicide.

The popular dog washing park concession, Mudpuppy's "Tub and Scrub," and the "Sit and Stay Cafe" will remain open during the entire project. Visitors may use the grassy area to bypass the closed portion of the trail.

Once the trail is repaved and reopened, the second phase will begin that will include six acres of renovated irrigation and turf, a new group picnic site, a concrete area near Mudpuppy's "Tub and Scrub," and drainage work near picnic tables.

The grassy area near the cafe and along the repaved trail will be fenced and closed to the public and may remain closed through the end of the year. Once the newly-seeded grass is established, the lawn area will be reopened with Jean Siri's goal of providing a year-round green meadow. Currently, the grass is brown and dry by early June. The new meadow will also eliminate much of the foxtail growth in the area, offering a safer and more pleasant play area.

Funding for the $499,837 project was from Measure AA, a $225 million bond passed by voters in 1988, and the District's General Fund.

For more information, please contact the Park Supervisor at 510-235-1631.

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