Park Happenings for July
News from the East Bay Regional Park District
(Please feel free to use excerpts. Photos available at https://bit.ly/ParkHappeningsforJuly2025)
🏞️️Park District Planning for the Future—Your Help is Needed! The East Bay Regional Park District is creating a new District Plan—a long-term vision for parks and open space in the East Bay. This plan will address climate change, shifting demographics, economic trends, and evolving park use to ensure high-quality parks and recreation for all.
Share your priorities for recreation, environmental education, land preservation, and habitat protection by taking the community survey today at ebparks.org/district-plan. The survey closes on July 31.
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🎉 Trail Network Expansion at Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve. On June 23, the Park District celebrated the expansion of the trail network at Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve in Danville, including 3.5 miles of new trails. The trails are part of the 381-acre Magee Preserve property, which was protected permanently by Danville voters in March 2020 through the passage of Measure Y. Save Mount Diablo was a long-time advocate for preserving the land and a major proponent of the ballot measure.
There will be a larger community celebration and hike on the property in fall 2025 following completion of additional features within the Magee Preserve development, including 2 more miles of new trails.
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🥾Explore the East Bay’s Best Views. The East Bay Regional Park District’s Trails Challenge program offers one-of-a-kind views of the East Bay. This year’s highlights include 360-degree views from Tilden’s Vollmer Peak, peaceful valleys on Sunol’s Canyon View Trail, sweeping vistas from Carquinez’s Overlook Loop, rolling hills at Garin’s Vista Peak Loop, tranquil waters along Contra Loma’s Lake View Trail, and hillside panoramas from Morgan Territory’s Lost Lens Cap Overlook.
The free Trails Challenge guidebook features 20 trails for all abilities. Complete any five trails or 26.2 total miles to earn a commemorative pin (while supplies last). New for 2025: monthly prize drawings, age-group finisher patches, and an exclusive All-20 Club patch for completing all 20 trails.
Download the guidebook and get started at ebparks.org/TrailsChallenge.
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📸 Calling All Nature Photographers! The East Bay Regional Park District is accepting photo submissions for the 2026 East Bay Regional Parks Wall Calendar! Eye-catching photos of parks, landscapes, wildlife, plants, and people enjoying nature are welcome—whether from seasoned photographers or passionate hobbyists. Selected images—featuring golden hills and serene lakes, wildflowers, birds, and trails less traveled—will be shared with thousands across the region.
Selected photographers will receive photo credit, a $100 honorarium, and complimentary copies of the calendar. Submissions must be taken in East Bay Regional Parks. Required resolution and size is 300 dpi (600 preferred) and 11" wide x 8.5" high. The deadline to submit is July 15, 2025.
Help showcase the natural beauty and wonder of the East Bay—submit photos today! Visit ebparks.org/submit-a-parkpic for details and guidelines.
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🚫🎆No Fireworks in Regional Parks. July is a month full of sunny days, warm nights, and plenty of time for outdoor activities. It’s also a time to be aware of fire dangers and park fire rules.
Fireworks are not allowed in East Bay Regional Parks. Fireworks pose a significant fire danger to the parklands and surrounding communities. Be aware of Red Flag Warnings, fire danger levels, and fire safety rules when visiting Regional Parks. For more information, visit ebparks.org/firedangers.
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🙌🏻Ardenwood Independence Day Celebration. Celebrate the United States of America’s 249th birthday. Enjoy a fun-filled community festival, 1900s style, with music, games, and activities for all ages. Bring a picnic lunch or grab a bite from a food vendor.
Ardenwood Historic Farm offers a glimpse into life on a family farm between 1890 and 1930. Visitors can step back in time and explore the remnants of the once vast estate of George and Clara Patterson, whose family farmed the land for over 100 years, beginning in the 1850s. Ardenwood includes a large farmyard with a variety of animals, a hay barn, an outdoor kitchen, and a working blacksmith shop that provide opportunities for visitors to learn about historic farming. Historic buildings and grounds, including the Patterson’s lovely Victorian farmhouse and surrounding formal gardens, give a glimpse of life at the turn –of –the –last century.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025, at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Special event entry fees apply: adults $10, seniors (62+) $8, children (ages 4-17) $5, free for 3 and under. For more information, visit ebparks.org/parks/visitor-centers/ardenwood.
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🐟 July 5 Free Fishing Day. Saturday, July 5, is a free fishing day in the East Bay Regional Park District as both Park District fishing fees and state fishing license requirements are waived for visitors. Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors, from first timers to seasoned anglers. It’s a fun activity for all ages that offers a chance to slow down, enjoy nature, and connect with family and friends.
There are plenty of opportunities in the East Bay to cast a line. The Park District offers 10 fishing lakes, five bay/delta shoreline piers, and 25 miles of bay/delta shoreline for fishing. For more information, visit ebparks.org/recreation/fishing.
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🚶🏽Walk and Talk with Alameda County Supervisor Márquez July 12. The Park District is hosting a walk and talk with Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont on July 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a scenic stroll through Coyote Hills while discussing the park and community issues. No registration required. Parking is free for attendees. Visit ebparks.org/calendar and search “Walk and Talk” for more information.
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🌾Ardenwood Wheat Harvesting Days. Discover the wonders of wheat at Ardenwood Wheat Harvest Days on July 13, 20, and 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Around the world, summer marks a time of abundance, as many crops are ready to be harvested. During the warm months of June and July in the Northern Hemisphere, farmers are busy harvesting seasonal crops like tomatoes, peppers, and most important, wheat. Wheat is one of the most widely grown grains in the world, and it holds a significant place in human history as one of the first plants domesticated by humans.
To transform wheat from the field into flour involves several steps. First, farmers must thresh (rub, beat, or strip) the wheat to remove the seeds (known as wheat berries) from the stalks. Then, the wheat berries are winnowed (have air blown through them) to separate the usable part from its outer layer called chaff. Lastly, the wheat berries are ground into flour.
Explore Ardenwood Wheat Harvest Days to learn more about wheat cultivation, view a 1930s threshing machine in action, or experience threshing, winnowing, and grinding wheat berries firsthand. For more information, visit ebparks.org/parks/visitor-centers/ardenwood.
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🍫 S’mores, Stars, and Stories. Campfire programs are a favorite summer tradition at the East Bay Regional Park District. These captivating programs feature stories, songs, and hands-on activities that invite participants to uncover the hidden world of wildlife, revel in the night sky, identify animals by the signs they leave behind (like scat and tracks), dive into wildfire ecology, and more. Of course, no campfire is complete without a sweet treat! Attendees also roast marshmallows and enjoy delicious s’mores. Bring a blanket, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.
Parkgoers can have unforgettable experiences under the stars in multiple locations: Big Break Regional Shoreline, Dumbarton Quarry Campground, Del Valle Campground, and Anthony Chabot Family Campground. Each campfire program has a unique theme. For more information, visit ebparks.org/campfireprograms.
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