News

OURS TO KEEP | CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF REGIONAL PARKS

mnolan — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 15:56:02 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis

News

OURS TO KEEP | CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF REGIONAL PARKS

A new exhibit is in place at the Contra Costa County History Center in Martinez. It features the history of the East Bay Regional Park District and will be open from January 20 to April 23, 2009 at the Center, 610 Main Street, Martinez. The center is open 9-4 Tuesday-Thursday. The phone number is 925-229-1042. The exhibit can be viewed from the sidewalk, with more to see inside.

The opening reception is Sat., Jan. 24 from 1-4 pm. The public is welcome.

Established in 1934, the Park District is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year making it the oldest and largest regional park district in the nation. It is currently nearly 100,000 acres in size and includes 65 regional parks and over 1,100 miles of trails throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Featured in the exhibit are artifacts from the history of various parks. There are items from the ranching and blacksmithing past (Las Trampas Wilderness, Briones, Morgan Territory), the Rose Hill Cemetery and coal and sand mines (Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve), the Giant Powder Company (Point Pinole Regional Park), skulls from animals in the parks and fossils. Clothing worn by CCC workers in early park history (Tilden) and recent park uniforms will be shown.

Photographs taken by Bob Walker will be on display as will historic images from the District’s past.

Brochures, stewardship reports, master plans and campaign posters will be displayed. A timeline which traces the evolution of the regional park from its beginning in 1934 is particularly interesting.

The exhibit committee which put the display together includes: Jerry Kent, Beverly Lane, Traci Parent, Jeff Wilson, David Zuckermann, Carol Johnson and Betty Maffei. Many others from the District have contributed with ideas, energy and artifacts.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Former East Bay Regional Park District Board Member, John O’Donnell, dies

mnolan — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 10:05:15 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis

News

Former East Bay Regional Park District Board Member, John O’Donnell, dies

Oakland, CA - Former East Bay Regional Park District Board Member John O’Donnell passed away on November 28, 2008 at the Vineyard Retirement Home in Hesperia, CA. He was 81 years old. John represented Ward 3 (Hayward, Castro Valley, Union City and part of Fremont) from 1983 to 1994. He was a strong advocate for Native American culture and wildlife preservation and for the District’s Stewardship Department. John was a combat veteran flying jet fighters in Vietnam. He was also an author, publishing two novels. John also served as a board member and former president of the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members. General Manager Pat O’Brien states, “John loved the Regional Park District and often expressed appreciation to the staff for their work. He will most certainly be missed by all of us.” The Board will close the meeting of January 13th in his memory.

Date: January 7, 2009

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Dec. 30, 2008 | Press Release - Homicide Investigation | East Shore State Park, Berkeley, CA

mnolan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:39:31 -0800

Contact name

Sgt. Tyrone Davis

News

East Bay Regional Park District Police Department
17930 Lake Chabot Road Castro Valley, Ca. 94546

Press Release
Homicide Investigation

On 12/30/208, at approximately 0634 hrs, Berkeley Fire Department was dispatched to East Shore State Park on the report of a fire. Upon arrival Fire Crews extinguished the fire and discovered the body of an adult male. East Bay Regional Park District Police Dispatch was notified and Police units were dispatched to the scene.

At this time the investigation is on-going and we are working with the Alameda County Coroner’s Office to identify the victim in this case.

We are asking that anyone who may have been in the area of West Frontage Rd, between Gillman St and University Ave, in the City of Berkeley on 12/20/08 around 0630 and saw anything suspicious in nature to contact the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department at 510 881 1833.

Members of the public who wish to remain anonymous may use the East Bay Regional Park District Confidential Tip Line at 510 690 6521.

ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES should be directed to
Sergeant Tyrone Davis @ (510) 881-1833.

Prepared by: Sgt. T. Davis #S9 12/31/2008 6:32 AM
Case # 081230003

Contact Email

tdavis@ebparks.org

Eden Landing Trail Access Now Open

mnolan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:23:37 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, Public Affairs

News

Eden Landing Trail Access Now Open

On December 7, 2008, the Eden Landing Bay Trail access at the end of Eden Landing Road in Hayward is now open to the public. The 2.75 mile of trail consists of a staging area, benches and some interpretive panels about the area’s salt ponds and restoration. This trail and area is unique to the Park District in that the property is owned by the Department of Fish and Game (DF&G) and since DF&G allows duck hunting on its property, there will be certain days that the trail will be closed to the general public while the duck hunters will be allowed to drive the trail to access certain hunting areas. The gates at the trail entrances will be closed and locked with sign posted informing the public that the trail will be closed for duck hunting and the DF&G contact number to call if any questions. The remaining days for this season are Tuesday December 16th, Tuesday January 6th, Saturday January 10th and the last day of the season Thursday January 15th.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Invasive Mussel Boat Inspections Begin at Four Park District Lakes

mnolan — Fri, 5 Dec 2008 16:39:17 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, Public Affairs

News

A mandatory boat inspection program has begun at Lake Chabot, Del Valle, and Contra Loma. Mandatory boat inspection begins at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area begins Friday, August 15. Wet boats, or boats with wet motors or gear, will be denied launching.

The purpose of the boat inspections is it to look for invasive quagga and zebra mussels, which are spread mainly via boats and trailers originating from infected lakes. Veligers, or microscopic larvae, can be spread from standing water or wet surfaces. The mussels reproduce rapidly and destroy water system components along with changing the natural environment of lakes and rivers. Their presence is often devastating to the plant and fish life in the reservoirs. Zebra mussels have been identified at San Justo Reservoir near Hollister, which is less than 90 miles from East Bay Regional Park District lakes. No mussels have been identified in any East Bay bodies of water at this time.

East Bay Regional Park District trained staff and contract employees will inspect all watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, and float tubes. Fees for inspections are $6 per trailered boat and $3 per car for car-top boats. Boats and accessories must ABSOLUTELY be clean and dry, this includes motor (plus outboard motor cooling system), deck, hull, bilge and bait wells, ropes, lines, floats, fishing equipment, trailer, rear of vehicle, personal flotation devices, and any other inflatable watercraft. Boats that fail inspection will not be permitted to launch and must wait five days before returning.

BOAT OWNERS--several boats fail inspection each day and unfortunately are not allowed to launch. The most common reason for failing is water in the outboard motor. DO NOT FLUSH YOUR MOTOR PRIOR TO VISITING THE PARK. Staff recommends allowing at least a five-day waiting period after flushing your motor to give it plenty of time to dry. Double check before leaving home that the motor is dry, many people are surprised that, when asked to lower their motor, water comes out. By contract, inspectors cannot pass these boats to launch. Water in live wells accounts for the second most-common reason for not passing inspection.

A banding program is available to all trailered boats that have passed the inspection. Banded boats with unbroken bands will be able to launch with no inspection fees at all East Bay Regional Park District lakes. Kayaks, canoes, and rowboats can get a 30-day pass upon inspection. Float tube inspections are free.

The California Department of Fish and Game is the lead agency on these invasive mussels and their status within the State. Visit www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/ for more information, or call their hotline at 1-866-440-9530.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

New Trails Open at Pleasanton Ridge

mnolan — Fri, 5 Dec 2008 16:32:55 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, Public Affairs

News

New Trails Open at Pleasanton Ridge

On Saturday December 6, 1,097 acres of open space located on the north end of 4,085 acre Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park will open to the public. The property includes undeveloped steep, wooded ridges that rise to elevations of more than 1600 feet above the San Ramon Valley and Livermore plain. The new addition adds over five miles of multi-use trails to the 25 mile trail system already in place, open to hiking, horseback riding, and biking through oak/bay woodland, grassland covered rolling hills, and valleys with meandering tree lined creeks.

Reaching the new trails is a fairly rigorous by foot as it is an 8+ mile hike one-way from the Foothill Staging Area to the newly opened connections. All trails are accessible to mountain bikes and equestrians.

Connections to the new property are from the Foothill Staging Area via the Ridgeline Trail which passes through the City of Pleasanton’s Augustin Bernal Park. North Ridge Trail and Sinbad Creek Trail then continue into the new property.

Until a revised park map can be made available, visitors are asked to be attentive to all signs designating trails and do not enter adjacent private property.

Hiking tip: The north end of Pleasanton Ridge is challenging for even the most seasoned hikers. As a rule of thumb, expect to hike no more than 1 to 2 miles an hour due to elevation gains and steep canyons. Plan ahead – let someone know where you’re going, bring plenty of water and snacks and always take a map. Remember, it gets dark early now so dress in layers and bring a headlamp or flashlight as an extra precaution.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Ayn Wieskamp, East Bay Regional Park District Board President, Elected as Alameda LAFCo Commissioner

mnolan — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 14:23:53 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis

News

Ayn Wieskamp, East Bay Regional Park District Board President,
Elected as Alameda LAFCo Commissioner

At the November 12, 2008 Alameda County Special Districts Association meeting, officials nominated East Bay Regional Park District Board President, Ayn Wieskamp to serve on the Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo).

Weiskamp has served as an alternate on LAFCo and has extensive experience in local government planning issues having served for 19 years on the Livermore City Council and on various East Bay Regional Park District liaison committees. She will serve as the Chapter’s non-enterprise special district commissioner and replaces Jocelyn Combs who did not seek re-election.

LAFCo is a state mandated local agency that oversees boundary changes to cities and special districts, the formation of new agencies including incorporation of new cities, and the consolidation of existing agencies. In California, there are 58 LAFCOs working with nearly 4,000 governmental agencies in 58 counties, approximately 500 cities, and over 3,000 special districts. The broad goals of the agency are to ensure the orderly formation of local government agencies, to preserve agricultural and open space lands, and to discourage urban sprawl.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a special district in Alameda and Contra Costa counties governed by a seven-member board of directors, who are publicly elected to serve four-year terms. Wieskamp will continue serving on the Park District board representing the communities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, Sunol, Newark and part of Fremont.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Celebrate the Holidays at Ardenwood Historic Farm

emma — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:59:01 -0800

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones

News

Celebrate the Holidays at Ardenwood Historic Farm

It’s holiday time at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. The first two weekends of December are packed with family fun with a holiday theme.

On December 6 and 7, Enjoy Christmas at Ardenwood, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style! Visit the beautifully decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, search for the Yule log, and visit Father Christmas. Listen to live musical performances and enter our home-made “Christmas Cookie” baking contest (bring your cookies and recipe with you). The day also includes an abundance of Christmas crafts, music and country kitchen treats. The resident blacksmith will also be busy demonstrating his craft in the Ardenwood Forge, and Horse-Drawn Train Rides will be available from 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Special Event fee applies:: $8/adults, $6/seniors (62+yrs), $5/children (4-17 yrs.), children 3 yrs. & under are free. Parking is free.

On December 13 and 14, join the naturalists at Ardenwood for seasonal craft projects. On Saturday, the kids can make seasonal crafts from 11 a.m. to noon. No reservations are required. On Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. you may make a festive wreath crafted from aromatic evergreens. This project is for ages 12 and up. The fee of $14 (Alameda County residents) includes park admission. Reservations may be made by calling (1-888-327-2757, option 2, 3) and registering for event #19765.

Meanwhile the Patterson House, operated by the City of Fremont, will be decked out in Victorian era holiday style. Enjoy a daytime docent led tour on December 11, 12, 13, 14, 20 and 21st. Or bring the family for an evening open house on Friday, December 12.

Schedule/Fees:

Christmas Tours of the Patterson House. Ages 3 and up.

December 11 – 12, 11 am and noon
December 13 – 14, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
December 18 – 19, 11 a.m. and noon
December 20 - 21, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

Fee: $4/adults & seniors, $3/child

Evening at the Patterson House. Ages 3 and up.

December 12, 5 to 8:45 p.m.

Fee: $5/adults & seniors, $3/child

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Tilden’s South Park Drive Closed for Newt Migration

emma — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:32:02 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

November 17, 2008

Tilden’s South Park Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic from November 1 through April 1. Every year beginning in November, the road is closed to traffic for the seasonal newt migration. Thousands of newts rely on crossing the street as a means to reach Wildcat Creek for breeding. The newt is a type of salamander that is five to six inches long and a gold-bronze color. It remains dormant in the dry season living in woods and fields. With the arrival of rains, newts migrate to streams and ponds to mate.

Although not a threatened species, the overall newt population has decreased over the past several decades primarily due to loss of habitat. Road kill is a major contributor to adult mortality in areas with an urban wildlife interface. About ten years ago, the Park District took a proactive role in keeping newts thriving in Tilden Regional Park by closing the road. Visitors can still drive through the park by using Grizzly Peak Blvd., Wildcat Canyon Road and Central Park.

One benefit of closing the road is it provides opportunity for naturalist programs and nature hikes to observe this migration. Tilden Environmental Education Center offers many programs throughout the season. Walkers and cyclists (with care) can use the road keeping an eye out for newts. Please do not handle or remove them from their habitat. Newts can secrete a toxic substance from their skin that can cause great discomfort if that substance comes in contact with eyes or mouth. It can be fatal if ingested. If you accidentally come in contact with a newt you should always wash your hands and especially keep dogs away to avoid a costly visit to the vet.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Tilden’s South Park Drive Closed for Newt Migration

emma — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:15:30 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

November 17, 2008

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Monarchs Return to Ardenwood

emma — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:30:39 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

November 13, 2008

Each year at about this time, hundreds of monarch butterflies make their appearance at Ardenwood Regional Preserve in Fremont, where they over-winter in the eucalyptus groves as part of their amazing life cycle.

Ardenwood is really the only place in the East Bay where you can view this beautiful spectacle. A smaller contingent of monarchs used to show up at Pt. Pinole in Richmond, but that hasn’t happened in recent years.

As a kind of introduction to the monarch butterfly season, naturalist Gaeta Bell will host a slide show and walk to Ardenwood’s monarch groves at 1 p.m. and again at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Additional hikes, walks, and programs occur throughout December and early January.

Click HERE for Details and registration information on EBParks Online.

Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84 (the Dumbarton Bridge approach) in Fremont. For more information, phone the park at 510-796-0199.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Whitney Dotson of Richmond Elected to Board of Directors

emma — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:21:07 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

November 13, 2008

The East Bay Regional Park District will soon have a new member on its board of directors. He is Whitney Dotson of Richmond, who won election to the seat on Nov. 4. Dotson will replace Nancy Skinner of Berkeley, who was elected to the State Assembly. He will be sworn into office at the board meeting on Jan. 13, 2009.

Dotson has a master’s degree in public health from U.C. Berkeley. Long active in environmental organizations, he is a member of the park district’s Park Advisory Committee and a board member of Citizens for the Eastshore State Park.

Dotson will represent the park district’s Ward 1, which comprises Richmond, San Pablo, Albany, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Kensington, Berkeley, Emeryville and parts of Oakland and Pinole.

Parks in Ward 1 include Pt. Pinole, Miller-Knox, Pt. Isabel, Brooks Island, Sobrante Ridge, Kennedy Grove, Wildcat Canyon and Tilden.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Measure WW Passes

emma — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:16:34 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

November 4, 2008

Measure WW Passes

Thank you Alameda County and Contra Costa County voters for supporting your Regional Parks. On November 4, Measure WW was approved by over two thirds of you. This Regional Open Space, Wildlife, Shoreline and Parks Bond will provide critical funding to protect open space and create additional regional parks and trails for recreation. And remember, because it is an extension of a 1988 bond measure, your tax rate WILL NOT increase and millions of dollars will be allocated to community parks and recreation facilities too.

Interactive Measure WW Project Map
Use your home address to find a Measure WW project near you.

In July 2008, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors voted to place Measure WW, a $500 million park bond extension measure, on the November 4 ballot. The proposition, which has the ballot designation of Measure WW, would replicate and extend the successful $225 million bond measure (Measure AA) passed in 1988 without raising the present property tax rates above the present rate of $10 per year, per $100,000.

Of the $500 million raised by Measure WW, $375 million (75%) will fund regional park acquisitions and capital projects, with $26.2 million (7%) held in reserve for unanticipated future needs and opportunities.

In addition, $125 million (25%) of proceeds will go to cities, special park and recreation districts, and county service areas for their park and recreation services. Livermore voters are not part of this extension tax as Murray Township was not within the East Bay Regional Park District's jurisdiction in the initial bond measure. The Park District continues to serve this community through new acquisitions of parklands.

Local Grant Program Documents:

Quick Facts:

Measure WW brochure downloads

For more information about the successful 1988 Measure AA, visit www.ebparks.org/news/measureAA.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Wildland Fire Season Officially Declared Closed For 2008

emma — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:05:04 -0800

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

November 13, 2008

The Alameda County and Contra Costa County Fire Chiefs and the East Bay Regional Park District, in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), have declared the 2008 wildland fire season to be officially over effective Monday, November 10 at 8 am.

During the 2008 fire season, dry and windy conditions brought Red Flag Warnings to Contra Costa and Alameda counties resulting in restrictions and some park closures. There were no significant fires in the area during Red Flag days thanks in part to cooperation of area homeowners following firesafe guidelines set forth by the Park District and local fire departments. With 2008 fire season officially ended, now is a good time to service home heating systems, check smoke detector batteries, and continuing firewise vegetation management around homes and buildings.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Important Measure WW Ballot Information for Alameda County Registered Voters

Lanepowell — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:38:58 -0700

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

October 22, 2008

The ballots prepared by Alameda Country do not contain the title and summary of Measure WW, the East Bay Regional Park District bond measure.

For your information, following is the correct title and summary of East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW as it should have appeared on all Alameda County ballots:

EXTEND EXISTING EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT BOND WITH NO INCREASE IN TAX RATE

To continue restoring urban creeks, protect wildlife, purchase/save open space, wetlands/shoreline, acquire/develop/improve local and regional parks, trails and recreational facilities, shall East Bay Regional Park District be authorized to issue up to $500 million in general obligation bonds, provided repayment projections, verified by independent auditors, demonstrate that property tax rates will not increase beyond present rates of $10 per year, per $100,000 of assessed valuation?

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters office has acknowledged the error and will be sending notices to Alameda County registered voters beginning on October 20, 2008. For more information from the County Registrar, please contact (510) 267-8683.
Click here for more information on East Bay Regional Park District’s Measure WW.

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Winners Announced in Landscape Art Show at the Bankhead Theater

Lanepowell — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:26:06 -0700

Contact name

Nancy Mueller

News

October 9, 2008

“A Different View” exhibition celebrates a variety of the 65 Regional Parks that dominate the East Bay landscape. The works will be on display and open to the public at the Bankhead Theater this Saturday, October 11, during ArtWalk Livermore, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on display during performances through the end of October.

The intention of the exhibition was to capture the Regional Parks in an individualistic and artistic form, showcasing the personal expressions of what the Regional Parks means to each of us. One hundred-fifty entries were received, and more than a dozen parks were highlighted in many multi-media art forms, including black-and-white and color photography, oil on canvas, 3 dimensional, pastel on canvas, and more.

In addition to the Bankhead exhibition, some of the pieces will be featured in an Oakland Airport exhibit featuring the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), on display from November 2008 through February 2009; at an exhibition planned for May 2009 at Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley; in a commemorative 2009 EBRPD calendar coming out in December 2008; and in a variety of ads and other printed materials as created by EBRPD and the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center.

All work submitted for the exhibition was juried by an esteemed list of judges, who also selected seven artist honoraries who will receive special recognition. The judges included Cherie Newell, Director of Professional Services, Oakland Museum; Claudia Hess, Worthington Gallery West; and Carin Adams, Curatorial Specialist, Oakland Museum.

The winners were announced by EBRPD Board President Ayn Wieskamp, and LVPAC Executive Director Len Alexander, at a reception and awards ceremony at the Bankhead Theater on September 24. Winners included:

First Place
Kimberly D’Adamo-Muanga
Title: Bay Point Estuary
Park: Bay Point Regional Shoreline

Second Place
Peter Tonningsen
Flotsam & Jetsam
Title: 2008 Cassette
Park: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline and Crown Memorial State Beach

Third Place
Joanie Popeo
Title: Lone Tree on the Graham Trail
Park: Redwood Regional Park

Most Creative Use of Materials
Bill Carmel
Title: Target Earth
Park: Briones Regional Park

Juror’s Award of Merit
Juror: Cherie L. Newell, Director Professional Services Division, Oakland Museum of California
Joanne Clapp Fullagar
Title: Peacock - A Different View
Park: Ardenwood Historic Farm

Juror’s Award of Merit
Juror: Claudia W. Hess, Worthington Gallery West
Ted Wieskamp
Title: Window on Brushy Peak
Park: Brushy Peak

Juror’s Award of Merit
Juror: Carin Adams, Museum Curatorial Specialist
Marc Davis
Title: Del Valle Shadows
Park: Del Valle Regional Park

Proceeds from the exhibition will help support the Bothwell Arts Center, a multi-arts facility that provides affordable space to over 30 artists and arts groups. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell are projects of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, committed to community enrichment. The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park agency of its kind in the nation. No other park agency has the breadth of locations, experiences available and number of acreage of open space (close to 100,000) for the public to enjoy.

Contact Email

nmueller@livermoreperformingarts.org

Winners Announced in Landscape Art Show at Livermore's Bankhead Theater

Lanepowell — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:21:21 -0700

Contact name

Nancy Mueller

News

October 6, 2008

First Place
Kimberly D’Adamo-Muanga
Title: Bay Point Estuary
Park: Bay Point Regional Shoreline

Second Place
Peter Tonningsen
Flotsam & Jetsam
Title: 2008 Cassette
Park: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline and Crown Memorial State Beach

Third Place
Joanie Popeo
Title: Lone Tree on the Graham Trail
Park: Redwood Regional Park

Most Creative Use of Materials
Bill Carmel
Title: Target Earth
Park: Briones Regional Park

Juror’s Award of Merit
Juror: Claudia W. Hess, Worthington Gallery West
Ted Wieskamp
Title: Window on Brushy Peak
Park: Brushy Peak

Juror’s Award of Merit
Juror: Carin Adams, Museum Curatorial Specialist
Marc Davis
Title: Del Valle Shadows
Park: Del Valle Regional Park

Contact Email

nmueller@livermoreperformingarts.org

Eden Landing Restoration Project to Provide Recreation Access, Create Habitat for Endangered Wildlife

Lanepowell — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:49:59 -0700

Contact name

Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor

News

– UPDATE –
Due to a delay in construction, the Eden Landing staging area and trail have not opened as of today.
The expected open date is early December. This website will be updated soon. Thank you for your patience.

September 30, 2008

Years of planning and construction to reconnect a link between former salt ponds at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (ELER) in Hayward and San Francisco Bay will culminate October 8. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), along with the Wildlife Conservation Board, the East Bay Regional Park District, Save The Bay, and other state and local agencies, will implement the final levee breach along Mt. Eden Creek and allow millions of gallons of Bay water to rush into more than 300 acres of former salt ponds.

Allowing tidal action to return to this portion of ELER will restore vegetated tidal marsh in the coming decades and re-establish miles of historic slough channels that will provide vital habitat for fish, wildlife, and endangered species like the California clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. Restoring Bay wetlands also contributes to the overall productivity of the Bay and its fishery and improves water quality.

The linking of this former salt pond to the Bay sets the stage for the completion of a segment of the Bay Trail through the ELER. The East Bay Regional Park District contributed funding and staff time to design and oversee the construction of this important San Francisco Bay restoration project. Along with the restoration of tidal action to the site, a new spine segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail will be opened that will provide connectivity from the Hayward area to the north via Hayward Regional Shoreline to points south in Union City.

The trail, which will be completed by the end of October 2008, will open up wildlife viewing and hiking opportunities to residents who have been walled off from the shoreline for more than a century because the land had been in private ownership.

Save The Bay, with support from the NOAA Restoration Center, and DFG have been working with hundreds of volunteers since September 2005 to remove more than 10,000 pounds of debris from this site and collect native plant seeds for a re-vegetation project underway. This year, volunteers will have participated in two dozen restoration projects and planted native plants along a transitional section of shoreline. For information on volunteering, please visit Save The Bay’s Web site at www.saveSFbay.org.

Additional plans for habitat restoration, flood protection, and public access at ELER are being developed as part of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (www.southbayrestoration.org).

Background on Eden Landing
In 1996, DFG, working with the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), East Bay Regional Park District, California Wildlife Foundation, Caltrans, and the cities of San Jose, Milpitas, and Fremont acquired the Baumberg Tract from Cargill Salt Company at the ELER and began efforts to restore more than 830 acres of former salt ponds to vital habitat. In 2003, DFG acquired an additional 5,500 acres of former salt ponds for ELER as part of the 15,100-acre South Bay Salt Pond acquisition that was accomplished with $72 million from WCB, $8 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and $20 million from four private foundations.

Restoration in Progress
Today, DFG is actively managing the 6,300 acres of former salt ponds at ELER and moving forward on its restoration to create a mix of tidal marsh and managed pond habitat. Restoring tidal action to thousands of acres of diked salt ponds throughout the South Bay is essential to bringing back the natural wetland habitat. In April 2004, DFG successfully created an extension of North Creek from the Old Alameda Creek channel. In 2006, North Creek was connected to restore more than 300 acres to tidal action and re-establish several miles of sloughs. The current project will complete the connection of Mt. Eden Creek and restore about 300 acres to tidal action and re-establish several miles of sloughs. Future restoration plans are underway to link more ponds to tidal action and the Bay as part of the 15,100-acre South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

Further information:
California Department of Fish and Game--www.dfg.ca.gov
Wildlife Conservation Board--www.wcb.ca.gov
Save The Bay--www.saveSFbay.org
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project--www.southbayrestoration.org

Contact Email

slewis@ebparks.org

Meyers Estate Dry Creek Gardens Now Open

Lanepowell — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:34:37 -0700

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones, Public Information Representative

News

The grand opening of Meyers Estate Dry Creek Gardens was celebrated on Saturday, September 20, 2008. East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Carol Severin, on behalf of the EBRPD Board of Directors, emceed the event. The open house featured live music and refreshments in a beautiful garden setting on the grounds of the former Meyers Ranch estate.

Dry Creek Cottage was a popular summer home of Edith, Mildred, and Jeanette Meyers, three sisters of Alameda who were very involved in local charities and fundraisers during the early and mid-1900s. The sisters also owned the 1,200-acre Dry Creek Ranch, which was donated to the Park District in 1979 and later opened as Dry Creek/Pioneer Regional Park. Upon the passing of the last surviving Meyers sister, the Dry Creek Cottage and its garden were also donated to the Park District.

The Park District plans to eventually open the cottage for receptions, weddings, and similar events, and will also house a small visitor center. The estate is located within the Garin and Dry Creek/Pioneer Regional Parks at 550 May Road in Hayward, off Whipple Road and Mission Boulevard. The garden is open to the public every Thursday and the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parking lot is open all week until dusk, offering easy access to the park's southern trails. For information see http://www.ebparks.org/parks/garin or call the park at 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4530.

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org

Alameda Point Bay Trail Dedication Set For October 11

Lanepowell — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:21:13 -0700

Contact name

Isa Polt-Jones, Public Information Representative

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Please join East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Doug Siden and Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson at a dedication celebration for the Alameda Point segment of the Bay Trail on Saturday, October 11, at 11:30 a.m.

Alameda Point Bay Trail is approximately one mile of waterfront Bay Trail along the former Alameda Naval Base's southeastern shoreline. The trail was completed in fall 2007 by the East Bay Regional Park District with funding provided by Proposition 12. It is adjacent to the Encinal High School track and sports field and the Encinal boat ramp. This beautiful waterfront trail provides residents with additional shoreline acess to San Francisco Bay.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 1 (888) EBPARKS. Directions to the dedication: from the intersection of Central Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, look for signs indicating access to the trail, adjacent to Encinal High School, which is at 210 Central Avenue.

Contact Email

ipjones@ebparks.org