EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT NEWS | | | Cheers to 90 Years: Celebrating the Park District's November Milestone A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH | | November brings our most momentous milestone yet – our 90th anniversary! On Nov. 6, 1934, voters made history by passing a measure that established the East Bay Regional Park District. In an inspiring show of commitment, they also agreed to tax themselves five cents for every $100 of property to support the Park District and acquire land in the East Bay hills from EBMUD.
It was a monumental achievement and a testament to the vision and collaboration of civic leaders who, even in the depths of the Great Depression, saw the importance of preserving nature and providing parks for recreation. The measure passed with a resounding 71 percent of the vote – an extraordinary feat, especially given the economic uncertainty of the time.
For 90 years, the Park District has protected natural lands and provided safe, welcoming parks for all to enjoy. Today, thanks to those who came before us, the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park district in the nation, with 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails available for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature viewing.
Join us in celebrating 90 years of Regional Parks! |  | Celebrate Native American Heritage Month | November marks Native American Heritage Month, a time for us to honor and celebrate the past, present, and future of the vibrant indigenous communities that have called the land now known as the East Bay home since time immemorial. In November and throughout the year, the East Bay Regional Park District recognizes enduring indigenous traditions and Native Peoples' role as the original stewards of this region. More info. | Honoring Veterans on Monday, Nov. 11 | On Veterans Day, the East Bay Regional Park District is honoring veterans, service members, and retirees with a FREE Park Entrance Day. The fee waiver includes FREE parking and park entry to all East Bay Regional Parks, including Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. It does not include dog fees, boat launch or inspection fees, fishing permits, or concessions, such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round and Redwood Valley Railway steam train. More info. | | Turn Black Friday Green Free Park Day: Friday, Nov. 29 | Green Friday – the day after Thanksgiving – is a great time to visit Regional Parks for free and spend quality time with family and friends. All entrance and activity fees are waived on Green Friday, including parking, dogs, horses, boat launching, and fishing, as well as entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm. The fee waiver does not include state fees for fishing licenses and watercraft inspections, or concessionaires, such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round or Redwood Valley Railway steam train. Green Friday Activities. | Briones Regional Park, photo by Michael Lopez | Flickr Photographers: Join the Park District Fan Page and Share Your Best Pics! | Have you ever wondered where so many beautiful photos of the Park District come from? Many of them are shared by photographer fans on Flickr! Join the EBRPD Official Fans page and tag your best photos of Regional Parks #EBParksOK. Adding this tag allows the Park District to use your photos for social media and publications, with photo credit given when possible. Be sure to tag the park or trail name where the photos was taken. | Check out the Park District's Regional in Nature Activity Guide | The November-December Regional In Nature Activity Guide is now available! In this issue: Help plan a shoreline park, All Abilities Veterans Day nature stroll, featured hikes around the Park District, celebrate Green Friday with a FREE park day, and more! More info. | | South Park Drive Closed for Annual Newt Migration | South Park Drive in Tilden Regional Park is closed to all motor vehicle traffic through March 31, 2025, to protect migrating and breeding newts. Visitors are welcome to use the road during the closure for walking, cycling, and dog-walking. Please keep dogs away from the newts as they are poisonous to pets. Cyclists are asked to proceed slowly and avoid newts crossing the road. More info. | Garin-Pleasanton Ridge Virtual Project Meeting: Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. | | The Park District is in the process of planning for a regional trail connection between Garin and Pleasanton Ridge Regional Parks.
Join the virtual public meeting to learn more about: • Summary of the project process to date • Presentation of the preferred design option for the Chouinard site development for public access • Project timeline and additional opportunities to get involved
Garin-to-Pleasanton Ridge Public Access Project Virtual Meeting #2 Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 6:30 p.m. Project info | Meeting flyer | | Celebrating 90 Years of Your Regional Parks - Photo Exhibit at Big Break | | Big Break Visitor Center invites you to experience East Bay Regional Parks through the "Celebrating 90 Years of Your Regional Parks" photography exhibit. The photo exhibit is open to the public through Nov. 9 during the visitor center's public hours, Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local photographers, both new and experienced, contributed photos inspired by the beautiful Regional Parks, sharing the ways that parklands have shaped their lives. Big Break Visitor Center | | Help Plan a Park on the Berkeley Shoreline | | Please join us at the North Basin Strip Community Meeting on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon (rain or shine). Help plan a park along the Berkeley shoreline at the North Basin Strip, the portion of the McLaughlin Eastshore State Park located south of the Gilman Sports Fields in Berkeley. Meet at the North Basin Strip, south of Gilman Sports Field in Berkeley.
Give us your input on the future park development: • Learn about the site • Share your feedback • Join a site tour • Enjoy coffee & snacks
Project info | RSVP | Survey | Donate Food to District Fire Department's Thanksgiving Food Drive | | The East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department is hosting its second annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to help those in need in our community. All donations and proceeds go to the Alameda County Community Food Bank to provide East Bay residents with donated food items during the holiday season. More info.
Look for food collection barrels at one of these Oakland locations to donate non-perishable food items through Nov. 20: • Safeway: 4100 Redwood Road, Oakland (map) • Park District Headquarters: 2950 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland (map) • Park District Public Safety Headquarters: 17930 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley (map) | | | Whether it's a gift for friends and family or one you give to yourself, the Gift of Membership to the Regional Parks Foundation is a wonderful way to show your love of parks!
Membership with the Regional Parks Foundation provides year-round recreation and health benefits to your friends and family and supports the Park District to help provide universal access, environmental stewardship, educational and recreational programs, and the acquisition of parklands.
To ensure timely delivery, please order the Gift of Membership by Dec. 4 to be sure your gift will arrive on time for the holidays. Give the Gift of Membership. | | Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda Display at Crab Cove | Stop by the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove through Nov. 9 to honor and celebrate the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a vibrant and meaningful display of a community ofrenda (offering). The altar honors loved ones who have passed away. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Map to Crab Cove. | All Abilities Veterans Day Nature Stroll: Nov. 9 | | Discover the beauty of nature at Shadow Cliffs in honor of Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Join a naturalist-led nature stroll on a half mile round-trip, paved path along the Lake Trail.
This adaptive program welcomes the deaf community, wheelchair users, people with other personal mobility devices, and all who want to join.
Meet at the Shadow Cliffs Pavilion, $6 parking fee applies. More info. | See the Seasons Changing at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden | | Visitors are invited to free, docent-guided tours of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden every weekend and on Park District holidays. Explore the garden sights on Saturdays and Park District holidays at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Botanic Garden will be open on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, for a 2 p.m. tour. Tours are drop-in, rain cancels. More info. | | Crab Cove, Alameda, 12/13/2020. Photo courtesy of California King Tides Project. | Experience King Tides Along the Shoreline | | King tides occur when there is alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun, moon, and Earth, causing unusually high tides. Learn about the future effects on the East Bay shorelines and how the District is implementing plans for sea level rise and habitat and shoreline resiliency. • Observing the King Tide, Crab Cove: Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to noon Meet at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove for the king tide. Observe areas that might be flooded, discover where some birds take shelter, take photos to submit to the California King Tides Project, and discuss how urban planners hope to protect the future of our shoreline. More info. • King Tides at Dotson's Marsh, Point Pinole: Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hike through Dotson's Marsh to witness this season's King Tides. Meet at the Atlas Staging Area Entrance. Up to three miles roundtrip. Wear sturdy shoes, boots preferred, and clothing you don't mind getting damp. More info. • Beautify the Bay & Clean Up the Shoreline (AFTER the King Tide), Crab Cove: Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help clean up trash deposited along the shoreline during the king tide. Gloves and buckets will be provided, or you may bring your own. Snacks and refreshments served. Community service hours available. Heavy rain cancels. More info. |  | All Seasons Family Stroll in Las Trampas: Nov. 17 | Come to a family-friendly stroll on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon and enjoy the changes of the season. Learn how animals stay warm during the winter months while enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate. Dress warmly, and please bring a reusable mug for a warm beverage. Meet at Bollinger Canyon Staging Area. More info. | Contra Loma Mini Forest Project on Green Friday/ Saturday: Nov. 29-30 | Spend your Green Friday (and Saturday, too!) helping to create a new mini forest at Contra Loma Regional Park! Volunteers will help restore a healthy native habitat by planting oaks, cottonwoods, and buckeye trees in a new grove near the shores of Contra Loma reservoir. More info. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
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