EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT NEWS | |
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Heading into Fall in the Park District
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH
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September is a very busy time for visitors in the East Bay Regional Park District. Warm, sunny weather entices visitors to spend long days enjoying Regional Parks, but of course fall is right around the corner. School programs kick off at Visitor Centers on weekdays, while summer programs continue on weekends and only select swim facilities remain open on weekends and holidays until September 15. Later this month, Coastal Cleanup Day and the first heritage and harvest events will ceremoniously transition the Park District into the fall season.
This is also the time when the Park District is preparing to step into peak wildfire season. The District's year-round wildfire readiness includes a professionally trained fire department, fire hazard reduction, remote weather stations, and special wildland equipment. Protecting parklands and visitors is a top priority.
Please enjoy the last days of summer and the first days of fall in your Regional Parks.
| Passing of Board Director Ellen Corbett | |
East Bay Regional Park District Board Director Ellen Corbett passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2024. Since her election to the Park District Board of Directors in 2016, Director Corbett represented her constituents as a leader for regional parks at the urban core of the Park District’s jurisdiction. Parks in her ward include Hayward Regional Shoreline, Lake Chabot Regional Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, and Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach.
Director Corbett's time on the Park District Board was the capstone to a long, decorated, and meaningful career in public service, both locally and statewide, including serving as the majority leader of the California State Senate and the Mayor of San Leandro. In her time as a Park District Board of Director, she was co-chair of the Measure FF effort, which passed by 85.6 percent in 2018. From January 2020 to January 2021, she served as President of the Board guiding the District through the pandemic helping to keep parks open as an essential service.
Ellen Corbett will be remembered as a champion of the District's mission and a tireless advocate for communities to have access to open space, public parks, and nature.
|  | Hispanic Heritage Month: Sep. 15-Oct. 15 | Join us in celebrating heritage rooted in all Latin American countries during Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as we share stories and contributions from both Hispanic and Latino Americans. More info. | |
Coastal Cleanup Day: Saturday, Sep. 21 | Join us in cleaning and preserving East Bay shorelines and waterways during the 40th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Park District has selected seven parks for cleanup, including bayside beaches, shoreline trails, and inland lakes. Staff and volunteers will work together to collect and dispose of litter and recyclables, beautify the shorelines, and help maintain delicate ecosystems. More info. | Redwood Reveal: The Past 90 Years | |
Join us in celebrating the Park District's 90th Anniversary at "Redwood Reveal: The Past 90 Years" on Saturday, Sep. 28 at Roberts Regional Recreation Area.
Walk among the coastal redwoods at historic Redwood Bowl in Roberts Regional Recreation Area. Enjoy family-friendly activities and a special 90th presentation at 11 a.m.
• Live Caribbean music by Asheba
• Free face painting by the Bay Area Face Painters
• Crafts and games for the whole family
• NEW Historical Exhibit More info.
| Park District Police Officer Reunites Goat Herder with Missing Border Collie | |
Throughout the Park District, herds of goats are used to eat brush and weeds to prevent wildfires as part of the year-round fire fuels management program. Recently, a goat herder whose goats were grazing at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park reported that his beloved border collie, Chuchu, was missing. Chuchu is not only the goat herder's animal companion but is also his main goat working dog. Chuchu is essential to keeping the goats contained and safe.
East Bay Regional Park District Officer Swanson went to great lengths to help find the missing border collie searching the nearby trails on foot, working with the local community, and posting a missing dog alert on Nextdoor. Happily, ChuChu was located and reunited with his owner. Great work, Officer Swanson!
| Sep-Oct Regional in Nature Activity Guide Now Available | Check out the Sep-Oct Regional in Nature Activity Guide, featuring upcoming 90th Anniversary events in the Regional Parks, Coastal Cleanup Day, Garin Apple Festival, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more! More info. | |
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On July 26, a wildfire started in Sunol, causing an extended closure of Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve. It took several days to fully put out the fire, which burned 744 acres. The park has now reopened, but visitors are asked to follow these advisories in areas affected by the fire.
• Visitors should stay out of the burned areas for their safety.
• Please stay off the wide dozer lines. The land needs time to heal.
• McCorkle Trail is partially closed (visit Alerts and Closures webpage for more information).
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Park District Receives $5.2 Million for Upcoming Park Projects | On August 22, two key Park District projects went before the California Wildlife Conservation Board for funding and were approved. The District will receive $2.7 million for the Tidewater Day Use Area Project at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, and $2.5 million for the Roddy Ranch Golf Course Restoration Project, which will be part of the future Deer Valley Regional Preserve in Antioch. Watch for updates on these exciting projects. | |
International Day of Peace Event at Lake Chabot: Friday, Sept. 27 | |
Join us for an evening of activities, music, and community at the Park District's annual Day of Peace event at Lake Chabot. East Bay Regional Parks provide spaces that promote physical, mental, and spiritual wellness and wellbeing. Bring family and friends to experience this year's event with the theme “Finding Peace Within.”
International Day of Peace 2024
Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 from 5-8 p.m.
Lake Chabot Regional Park
17600 Lake Chabot Rd., Castro Valley
More info.
Note: this event is being held the Friday evening after the UN International Day of Peace date, which falls on the same day as Coastal Cleanup Day this year.
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Visit the 90th Anniversary Pop-Up Exhibit in Danville or Pleasant Hill | |
Check out the Park District's traveling pop-up 90th Anniversary exhibit this month! Experience the incredible 90-year history of the East Bay Regional Park District and walk through a beautifully designed pop-up exhibit and timeline that tells the story of the founding and growth of Regional Parks with artifacts and interactive features.
Museum of San Ramon Valley
Aug. 31-Sept. 15
205 Railroad Avenue, Danville (map)
Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill Campus
Sept. 16-28
Diablo Valley College Student Library
321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill (map)
| Thank You for a Fun National Night Out! | On Aug. 6, the East Bay Regional Park District hosted its second National Night Out event at Lake Chabot. Parkgoers at this festive affair mingled with members of the Park District Police, Fire, and Lifeguard Services staff. Family, friends, and neighbors had a fun night out talking to first responders, meeting police horses, exploring fire trucks, emergency vehicles, and the Marine One patrol boat, visiting the Peace Pole, eating hot dogs, and enjoying music and kid-friendly activities. We hope to see everyone at next year's event! | |
Orchard-inary Adventures at the Garin Apple Festival: Saturday, Sept. 7 | Mark your calendars for the Garin Apple Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Garin Barn in Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park. Discover a bushel of “orchard-inary” adventures and immerse yourself in the history and beauty of nature’s bounty. Enjoy a variety of activities for all ages, including creative nature crafts, apple samples, and tours of the historic apple orchard. More info. | California Biodiversity Week: Sep. 7-15 | Join us at locations across the Park District during California Biodiversity Week and make discoveries about nature in the Regional Parks. The District's Biodiversity Week guided programs will include bioblitzes, nature and culture walks, activities, and more! Observe the many plants and animals that call our parklands home and learn to use tools that help scientists record biodiversity. More info. | |
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Bilingual Mine Tours and Arte en el Parque | |
Bilingual Mine Tours, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
Black Diamond Mines is offering bilingual mine tours (in Spanish and English) on select dates in September and October. Tour fees apply, and online registration in advance is highly recommended.
Arte en el Parque, Del Valle Regional Park
Join us to create your own works of art taking inspiration from artists like Frida Kahlo and Octavio Ocampo. Learn how these artists depicted nature and landscapes in their artwork. Drop-in; no registration required.
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Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
