C & H Sugar Company Donates Small, but Significant, Property to East Bay
Regional Park District

At the February 17, 2009 board meeting, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved the .17 acre donation of real property from C & H Sugar Company of Crockett, California. The small vacant lot located on Rolph Park Drive backs to Crockett Hills Regional Park at the park’s northern end. District staff has been using this access informally for emergency and maintenance access, and the location has served as an informal access for neighbors to the park.  This parcel will allow the District to preserve an important access for the operation and security of the Crockett Hills Regional Park, and secures future regional trail connections and public recreational opportunities.    

The Park District will incur minor acquisition costs of $16,750 associated with this donation which includes survey, new fencing and gates, signs, road grading, staff time, and title and escrow fees.

In 1994, the East Bay Regional Park District acquired over 1,000 acres from A & B Properties, Inc., successor to the California & Hawaiian Sugar Company (“C & H”).  Originally purchased to expand Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, the C & H lands were subsequently split off to create the new Crockett Hills Regional Park. Today, the park consists of 2,000 acres; most was opened to the public in 2006 with the staging area located on Crockett Blvd. It has become a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians offering 360 degree view of the Carquinez strait and bridge and beyond.

At the board meeting, Assistant General Manager, Bob Doyle, stated that this serves a perfect dual purpose of staff access for better park monitoring and a now formalized entrance for visitors, most from the neighborhood.

Board President Ted Radke stated, “We certainly appreciate C & H for this contribution, and for working with us in the past.”