EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT NEWS | |
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Celebrating 90 Years of Regional Parks at ParkFest on May 11
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH
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Cheers to 90 years! Join us on Saturday, May 11 at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley to celebrate the Park District's 90th anniversary at ParkFest, a free community celebration including music, live performances, a kids' zone, food trucks, eco-friendly activities, and much more.
90 years is a remarkable milestone and a reason to celebrate! For many people, the East Bay Regional Parks have provided a lifetime of memories. Enjoy this wonderful community festival and make new memories with us at this special event.
Thank you to our ParkFest sponsors. Your support is an important part of this event. ParkFest is BARTable with a free shuttle and will include circus acts, magic shows, and Grammy-award winning musical performances. More info.
| Thank You, ParkFest Sponsors! | Thank you to our ParkFest event sponsors for their support and contributions. | Other Sponsors/Collaborators |
- BART (ParkFest is BARTable, with a free shuttle available to the event from Bay Fair Station)
- Oaklandish
- GirlVentures
- Civicorps
- Berkeleyside
- The Oaklandside
- KQED
| May is National Wildfire Awareness Month | May is a time when the Park District and other public agencies come together to stress the importance of preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. Brush up on important wildfire season safety tips and share the news with your community. Wildfire safety remains one of the Park District's top priorities. Fire Safety Tips. | |
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | The Park District is celebrating National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month throughout the month of May. Join us in paying tribute, elevating stories, and participating in themed education programs as we celebrate the many contributions and the diverse communities in the East Bay. More info. | Remembering Former Board Director, Dr. Carroll B. Williams, Jr. | |
Dr. Carroll B. Williams, Jr., Park District Board Director from 1991-1992, passed away on March 1 at the age of 94. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in one of the first racially integrated units in the Korean War. After graduating from the University of Michigan with three degrees, he became the first Black scientist hired by the U.S. Forest Service. He later taught classes in forestry and entomology at UC Berkeley and was one of the first Black faculty members to teach environmental sciences there.
Director William was also the first Black board member on the Park District's Board of Directors. During his time on the board, Director Williams dedicated his focus to the Park District’s outreach programs to encourage more people of color to use the parks, learn about natural ecosystems, and pursue careers in resource management.
| Spring Dig Days Progress at Briones Pilot Project | Park District staff were joined by volunteers on April 27 and 28 to improve trails and restore habitat at the spring Dig Days at Briones Regional Park in Martinez. The trail sharing and safety improvements ushered in by the Briones Pilot Project launched in 2023 will protect watersheds, habitat, and wildlife, while also providing improved recreational access. Thank you to all who participated in the successful event and to the Stewards of Briones for their partnership! The District's next Dig Days will be Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, June 1. More info. | |
Briones Pilot Project Informational Meeting
Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.
| Share your thoughts and feedback on the progress made in the past year at the next in-person Briones Pilot Project informational meeting and open house on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Alhambra Creek Staging Area of Briones Regional Park in Martinez. The two-year pilot project was created to test new ways to safely share trails and improve the trail experience for all users. More info. | Park District Reaches Key Milestone for Borel Agricultural Park in Danville | A 17-acre Danville homestead and walnut orchard is poised to take the next step toward becoming an agricultural park for the community. Armand Borel, a walnut farmer, left the property to the Park District in hopes of showcasing his heritage walnut orchard and accompanying historic equipment. More info. | |
Del Valle Entry Fee Pilot Program (Weekends & Holidays Only) | |
Beginning Memorial Day weekend, there will be a flat $10 fee on weekends and holidays to enter Del Valle Regional Park, which will cover park entry, parking, trailers, and dogs. Fishing and quagga inspection fees can be purchased at the marina area. The pilot project is testing more efficient ways to facilitate park entry due to congestion on spring and summer weekends and holidays. The $10 flat entrance fee does not apply to Regional Parks Foundation members, who receive free park entry/parking at all Regional Parks as part of their membership benefits.
To help expedite entry, a limited number of park entry passes will be available for pre-purchase online starting in mid-May. As vehicles approach the kiosk, there will be a separate line for pre-paid parking, staff, members, and residents/neighbors.
For up-to-date information, visit the Del Valle Regional Park webpage.
| Renovated Roberts Pool Now Open for Swimming | On April 27, the Park District held a grand opening ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of Roberts Pool at Roberts Regional Recreation Area in Oakland. Some of the new features include an increased pool size, additional shallow areas, new changing room building with gender-neutral facilities, and ADA access. More info. | |
Tilden Environmental Education Center Replacement Project Update | Three community meetings covering the project and design alternatives for the Tilden Environmental Education Center were held. Learn more about the design option and project information on the Tilden EEC Replacement Project webpage. | May-June Regional in Nature Activity Guide Now Available | Check out the latest issue of the Regional in Nature Activity Guide, packed with seasonal programs and activities in the parks, the return of swim season, campfire programs, wildfire safety tips, and much more! View Activity Guide. | |
Save the Date for Lakeside Laps: Saturday, July 20 at Lake Chabot | Mark the Park District's 90th anniversary with a 5k, 10k, or half marathon benefitting the Regional Parks Foundation. Celebrate wellness, community, and the beauty of the Regional Parks while enjoying a run along the lake! More info. | Park District Trails Challenge Program Wins Award for Outstanding Public Engagement | The Regional Parks Foundation was awarded the 2024 Partnership Award in the Outstanding Public Engagement category for its partnership with the Park District on the annual Trails Challenge program. This award, presented by the Public Lands Alliance, recognizes exemplary programs created in partnership that advance meaningful and sustainable connections with public lands. Every year, more than 10,000 people participate in the Park District's Trails Challenge, a free self-guided hiking and bicycling program to explore your East Bay Regional Parks. More info. | |
Black Birders Week 2024: May 26 - June 1 | Join the Park District in recognizing Black Birders Week by creating safe spaces for all visitors to enjoy the Regional Parks. This national effort is celebrated regionally through a week-long program series that is a collaboration between Park District naturalist staff, Park District Black Employee collective members, and local, Black-led organizations. All programs are free and coffee, snacks, binoculars, and birding books are provided. All are welcome! More info. | |
Enjoy Mother Nature for Mother's Day: May 12 | |
Treat mom to an outdoor excursion this warm and wonderful season in an East Bay Regional Park. Join the Park District for one of the special Mother's Day programs below.
Mother's Day Craft & Scavenger Hunt
Sun. May 12, 10 a.m.
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch
Mother's Day On the Farm
Sun. May 12, 11 a.m.
Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont
Mother's Day Celebration
Sun. May 12, 11 a.m.
Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove, Alameda
Mother's Day Family Hike
Sun. May 12, 11 a.m.
Del Valle Regional Park Visitor Center, Livermore
Painting on the Pier
Sun. May 12, 11 a.m.
Big Break Visitor Center in the Delta,
Oakley
| Botanic Garden Native Plant Pollination Tour, Berkeley: May 19 | Join a special docent-led, family friendly tour to watch pollinators at work, unravel the mysteries of seed dispersal, and observe the beauty of spring flowers. All ages are welcome. Meet at the Botanic Garden Visitor Center on Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. More info. | |
Memorial Day Weekend Activities at the Park District: May 25-27 | |
Family Nature Fun Hour: Memorial Day Memories
Sat. May 25 and Sun. May 26, 1:30 p.m.
Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove, Alameda
Learn to fold a flag, tie a knot, and make a flower to put on the Merchant Mariners Memorial.
Memorial Day Open House
Mon. May 27, 10 a.m.
Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
Drop in to take part in a variety of fun and educational activities at the Visitor Center and at the Little Farm throughout the day.
Memorial Day Open House
Mon. May 27, Noon
Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove, Alameda
Enjoy the beach, then come meet our turtle and snake, visit the fish, make a craft, and more. Look through old photos or check out our self-guided history walk.
| Rail Fair at Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont: May 25-27 | Join us at the Ardenwood Rail Fair, where train enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy train rides, a variety of model and live steam trains, historic railroad equipment displays, live music, a full-size locomotive, and more. Enjoy the event 10-4 from Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27. Tickets can be purchased online until May 23. More info and Rail Fair advance tickets. | |
Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
