2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Since its founding in 1934, the Park District has been a forward-looking agency. We are continually evaluating and adapting to changing landscapes to protect our parklands and to stay relevant to the communities we serve. We are committed to excellence and accountability within our agency. We partner strategically with agencies, community organizations, and businesses to leverage our collective resources and knowledge for the greatest impact.
Over the years, the Park District has been recognized by peers, credentialing authorities and accrediting organizations for our leadership in financial management, public safety service, land preservation, land use planning, innovation in interpretive programming, community services, health and wellness initiatives and programs, and communications.
We are especially proud to have received recurring awards and recognition for the following:
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website):
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Winner from 2005 to 2023 for our comprehensive budget documents that meet program criteria as a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan, and a communications device.
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from 2000 to 2021 for our comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
- Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA Website): Law Enforcement Accreditation in 2010. Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation in 2013 and 2020; with Excellence in 2016. The accreditation recognizes our Police Department for excellence in public safety services, professional law enforcement, and management.
Below are awards and recognition that our Park District, Board of Directors, and staff received over the years.
2025
- California Trails & Greenways (CTG), Underserved Communities Merit Award: North Basin Strip Project New Voices Partnership
2023
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website), Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- WebAward, Best Government Website for EBRPD website, ebparks.org for Providing Public Safety Messaging During the Seasonal Impacts of Climate Change. Judging Report.
- Granicus, Finalist for a 2023 Granicus Digital Government Award in the Customer Experience category
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Awards of Distinction for:
• Outstanding Program/Event: 5th Anniversary UN International Day of Peace Celebration at Lake Chabot
• Outstanding Volunteer: Amelia Sue Marshall (Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol, Archives) - American Planning Association Northern California (APA), Award of Excellence in Resilience and Sustainability Planning: Former Roddy Ranch Golf Course Habitat Restoration and Public Access Plan (PDF). EBRPD and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy.
- East Bay Express (EBX), Best of East Bay - Romance, Best Wedding Venue: Brazilian Room
- East Bay Times (EBT), Readers’ Choice Awards - Best Place for a Wedding: Brazilian Room
2022
- Government Finance Officers Association Website (GFOA Website), Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO), Outstanding Achievement in Parks and Recreation Facility Award: Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay, Fremont
- American Planning Association Northern California (APA), Award of Excellence in Innovation in Green Community Planning: San Francisco Bay Trail Risk Assessment and Adaptation Prioritization Plan (RAAPP)
- California Trails & Greenways (CTG), Merit Award for Planning: San Francisco Bay Trail Risk Assessment and Adaptation Prioritization Plan (RAAPP)
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Awards of Distinction for:
• Outstanding New Facility: Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay, Fremont
• Outstanding Board Member: Director Ayn Wieskamp
• Outstanding Volunteers: Ned MacKay and Carl La Rue (Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol) - Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP), Distinguished Service Award: Director Ayn Wieskamp
- American Horticultural Society (AHS), Great American Gardeners Awards, Liberty Hyde Bailey Award: Botanic Garden Manager Bart O’Brien
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS), District 3
• Outstanding JEDI Impact Award recognizing EBRPD policies on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; staff implicit bias training; naming of Thurgood Marshall Regional Park District, Home of Port Chicago 50, establishing Juneteenth as a holiday; UN international Day of Peace; survey and listening sessions; numerous programs promoting and putting into practice JEDI principles.
• Outstanding Park Award for Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay, Fremont - National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Special Award: Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager Ira Bletz
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Region 9 Sierra Pacific
• Master Interpretive Manager Award: Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager Ira Bletz
• Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer: Ed Valenzuela
2021
- United Nations Association USA, East Bay and Silicon Valley Chapters, Global Citizen Award: Contributing towards UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Providing essential services by keeping parks open and opening three shoreline parks during COVID-19 pandemic.
- Government Technology (GT), Special Districts National Awards: Technology Innovation - Operations. Using technology to enhance internal operations and to increase engagement with public
- National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO), Excellence in Parks and Recreation Facility Award: Three Regional Shoreline projects to increase public access, mitigate sea level rise, and restore habitat - Judge John Sutter, Albany Beach-SF Bay Trail, and Bay Point
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovation: Digital Learning
- American Planning Association Northern California (APA), Hard-won Victory Award of Excellence: Concord Hills Regional Park Land Use Plan, Team: EBRPD and PlaceWorks
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Design - Park Planning: Three Regional Shoreline Projects - Judge John Sutter, Albany Beach-SF Bay Trail, and Bay Point
• Award of Excellence in Marketing & Communications - Digital Media-Web/Social Media: #LoveEBRPD Campaign
• Award of Excellence in Marketing & Communications - Marketing Campaign: COVID-19 Communications Campaign - National Association for Interpretation (NAI):
• Master Interpretive Manager Award: Supervising Naturalist Kevin Damstra
• Outstanding Senior/Retired Interpreter Award: Naturalist Linda Yemoto - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website), Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, 57th Annual Community Service Awards: Green Business Award for promoting sustainable environmental business practices.
- Audubon International (AI), Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary: Redwood Canyon Golf Course
2020
- North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS), Frank Cabot Public Rock Garden Award: Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Regional Park
- Public Lands Alliance (PLA), Outstanding Public Engagement Award: EBRPD 85th Anniversary & Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary (Video)
- California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) Award - Outstanding Marketing and Promotional: EBRPD 85th Anniversary and Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Awards of Distinction for:
• Outstanding Community Outreach Campaign: EBRPD 85th Anniversary and Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary
• Outstanding Community Organization/Partner: Regional Parks Foundation
• Outstanding General Manager: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - American Planning Association Northern California (APA)
• Innovation in Green Community Planning, Award of Merit: Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline, Team: EBRPD and Caltrans
• Planning Pioneer: Award of Excellence: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation: EBRPD Police Department
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Outdoor Exhibit Award, 3rd Place: Parks to People - Mobile Visitor Center
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - California Special Districts Alliance (CSDA), William Hollingsworth Award of Excellence: Director Doug Siden
- Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce (PCC), Green Business Community Service Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- Alameda Chamber of Commerce (ACC), Business Excellence Award: Robert W. Crown Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium, Alameda
2019
- California Association of Recreation & Park Districts (CARPD), Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovative Program: Park Rx and Stay Healthy in Nature Every Day (SHINE) Programs
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
• Interpretive Media Award - Book Category, Second Place: Native Peoples of the East Bay: Past to Present
• Outstanding New Interpreter: Naturalist Ashley Adams - Save the Bay, Bay Hero Award: Director Whitney Dotson
- Sierra Club, Trailblazer Award: Director John Sutter
- California Special Districts Association (CSDA), General Manager of the Year: General Manager Robert E. Doyle
- Bay Nature Institute (BNI), Local Hero Awards - Conservation Action Award: General Manager Robert E. Doyle
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
2018
- East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA)
East Bay Innovation Awards - 2018 Legacy Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF)
District Transparency Certificate of Excellence: East Bay Regional Park District - California Municipal Treasurers Association (CMTA): Investment Policy Certification: East Bay Regional Park District
- The SHIFT Awards, Public Land Management Innovation Award for Diversity in Public Health Programs that Promote Inclusion, Equity and Empowerment: Healthy Parks Healthy People and Park Rx programs - Trails Challenge, Multicultural Wellness Walks, Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Creating Community - Community Health and Wellness: Park Rx/Stay Healthy In Nature Every day (SHINE) Programs
• Aquatic Section: “Vamos a Aprender” Spanish Language: Water Safety Program
• Special Legislative Advocacy Award: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - The Bay Institute, Environmental Awards - Bay Heroes Award: Director Whitney Dotson
- American Academy for Parks & Recreation Administration (AAPRA)
Cornelius Amory Pugsley Award: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - California Native Plant Society (CNPS), CNPS Fellow Award: Botanic General Manager Bart O'Brien
- Public Safety Aviation Accreditation Commission (PSAAC)
Public Safety Aviation Accreditation: Air Support Unit, East Bay Regional Park District - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Bay Area Green Business Program (BAGBP)
Bay Area Green Business Standards Certificate: East Bay Regional Park District - Gordian and the Harry H. Mellon Award committee (Gordian): Harry H. Mellon Award of Excellence in Job Order Contracting: East Bay Regional Park District
- Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Delta Charter, Friends of Education Award: Big Break Visitor Center, Oakley
2017
- California Trails & Greenways (CTG), Merit Award - Event: Ivan Dickson Trail Event
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
• Outstanding Senior/Retired Interpreter Award: Chief Naturalist Ron Russo
• Outstanding New Interpreter Award: Naturalist Virginia Delgado
• Interpretive Media Awards - Site Publication Category - Second Place: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve Junior Ranger Booklet - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Creating Community: CO-OP Program
• Award of Excellence in Design - Park Planning: Dotson Family Marsh Restoration and Public Access Project - American Camp Association (ACA), Special Recognition Award: Director Doug Siden
2016
- California Geotechnical Engineering Association: (CalGEO), Outstanding Project Award: George Miller Regional Trail (Cal Engineering & Geology)
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Youth Development: Teen Eco Action
• Champions of the Community Award: Dr. Nooshin Razani (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland) and Dr. Curtis Chan (San Francisco Department of Public Health) - Healthcare partnerships with EBRPD - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA Website)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation With Excellence: EBRPD Police Department
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Awards of Distinction for:
• Outstanding Board Member: Director John Sutter
• Outstanding Technology, Social Media and Marketing - American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), Cornelius Amory Pugsley Award: Director John Sutter
- Greenbelt Alliance (GA), Champion Award: Director John Sutter
- California Special Districts Association (CSDA), Board Member of the Year: Director Doug Siden
- Assemblyman Rob Bonta, 18th Assembly District, 2016 Local Hero Award: Director Doug Siden
- Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center, Leadership Award: Director Doug Siden
- Port Chicago Naval Magazine - Friends of Port Chicago Commemorative Hero’s Award: Chief of Planning/GIS Brian Holt
- GM Robert Doyle invited to attend White House Water Summit hosted by President Obama administration on March 22 in conjunction with the UN World Water Day.
- Alameda Magazine
• Best Place to Teach Your Kid to Ride a Bike: Crown Memorial State Beach
• Alameda Magazine, Best Place to Take the Kids: Crab Cove Visitor Center
The Radke Championing Advocacy Award
The Radke Championing Advocacy Award is awarded by the Park District and the Regional Parks Foundation to an advocacy champion who advances state or federal support for the East Bay Regional Park District.