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At its September 18th meeting, the East Bay Regional Park District's Board of Directors unanimously agreed to purchase the 1,476 acre Tyler Ranch located adjacent to Pleasanton Ridge near Sunol. When completed, this will be the largest single acquisition by the Park District in almost 20 years.
The $6,637,500 purchase is being made possible with the assistance of the Tyler family heirs and with the generous financial support of the Priem Family Foundation. Cynthia Roberts and Nancy King, sisters and heirs of the Tyler Ranch, agreed to sell the property – which has been in the family since the 1940s – for a reduced price, making a donation of over $500,000. "The Tyler family is so pleased to have the opportunity to sell our family ranch to the East Bay Regional Park District. This transaction ensures that this beautiful land will always be available for the people of California to enjoy, and that a small part of the environment will be preserved and undeveloped," says Cynthia Roberts.
In an unusual financial deal, the Park District will buy 320 acres of the ranch for $1.44 million (Phase 1), and the Priem Family Foundation will buy the remaining 1,156 acres for $5.2 million. After three years Priem will sell the land back to the District (Phase II) for $3.47 million for a donation of more than $1.7 million. This will allow the Park District time to acquire funds to buy the land and eventually convert it as a public park. Curtis Priem, president of the Foundation, states, "The Priem Family Foundation is concerned about the loss of open space in the East Bay and wants to support the mission of the Park District."
The District's mission includes preserving open space with significant natural resources and scenic values as well as offering public access opportunities. The Tyler Ranch stretches almost 3.5 miles along Sunol Ridge, one of the most prominent ridgelines in Alameda County. The property constitutes a significant portion of Alameda Creek watershed. Its expansive size, diversity of habitat, abundant water, and proximity to 5,000 acres of open space at Pleasanton Ridge will provide excellent opportunities for wildlife and wildlife viewing.
The East Bay Regional Park District presently owns and operates 65 regional parks and over 98,000 acres within Alameda and Contra Costa counties. "Thanks to the generosity of Cynthia Roberts and Nancy King, along with the tremendous support of the Priem Family Foundation, the District will be able to protect a significant portion of the Alameda Creek watershed, preserve a prominent ridgeline, secure regional trail connections, and provide future public recreation opportunities," says Nancy Wenninger, Land Acquisition Manager for the East Bay Regional Park District.
The 320 acres will remain in landbank status until made safe and accessible for public access. The remaining 1,156 acres is private property until the Park District purchases it and is not accessible for public use. The District estimates that some of the park will be accessible in the next four to five year.
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- Millionaire's Help Adds 1476 Acres to Pleasanton Park
Contra Costa Times - Walnut Creek, CA, USA
By Denis Cuff Bob Doyle, assistant general manager of the East Bay Regional Park District and Ayn Wieskamp, EBRPD Ward 5 board member, and broker Gary Reeve ... - East Bay Officials Approve Deal to Buy Ranch for Huge Park
San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA
The $6.63 million deal will allow the East Bay Regional Park District to add the hilly 1476-acre Tyler Ranch to its holdings, saving from development some ...