NEWS FROM EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS | | | Beat the Heat in August A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH | | After a relatively mild summer, the weather is finally heating up. When enjoying Regional Parks during the hottest time of year, keep the following tips in mind to beat the heat:
• Avoid exertion during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.). • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. • Wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing. Use a wide-brimmed hat to protect the face and neck. • Bring water for pets, too, as streams or ponds may not be safe. For the hottest days, consider leaving them home.
Also, consider visiting Regional Parks with shady trails and cooler conditions. For some cool options, visit Shady Hikes & Cooler Parks.
See you on the trails in your Regional Parks! | Botanic Garden Director Bart O'Brien Receives the Edgar T. Wherry Award | The North American Rock Garden Society recently honored Botanic Garden Director Bart O'Brien with the Edgar T. Wherry Award. The award is given to a person whose literary efforts have made an outstanding contribution to the dissemination of botanical and/or horticultural knowledge about native plants. In over 40 years as a horticulturalist, Bart has communicated his knowledge and enthusiasm for native plants in myriad articles, newsletters, and talks. | Thank you to the over 5,000 people who responded to the recent survey and provided input and ideas on the Park District's next strategic District Plan. The next round of engagement is slated for the fall. Updates will be posted at ebparks.org/district-plan. | | Calving season is underway in East Bay Regional Parks (August through October). While calves may seem harmless, close encounters can pose risks to both visitors and cows.
Keep these safety tips in mind: • Never approach, touch, or take selfies with calves. • Avoid coming between a mother and her calf. • Keep dogs leashed and away from cattle. More info. | | Routine Maintenance Work Making Big Difference in Regional Parks | Each year, the East Bay Regional Park District's roads and trails crews perform 30-40 maintenance projects under a districtwide routine maintenance permit, issued by California regulatory agencies on a five-year term. These projects include washed out culverts, creek crossings, landslide repairs, and pedestrian bridges. Thank you to Park District staff who complete these projects and help keep facilities safe for the public to enjoy. | Point Molate SF Bay Trail Extension Project Officially Underway in Richmond | Park District board members and staff joined with elected officials, City of Richmond representatives, and community leaders on Aug. 1 to break ground on the construction of the Point Molate Bay Trail Extension Project in Richmond. The groundbreaking event launched the 2.5-mile San Francisco Bay Trail Expansion Project, which will improve public access to Point Molate. More info. | Free Fishing Day: Aug. 30 | | Saturday, Aug. 30, is a free fishing day in the East Bay Regional Park District as both Park District fishing fees and state fishing license requirements are waived for visitors. Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors—from first-timers to seasoned anglers. It's a fun activity for all ages that offers a chance to slow down, enjoy nature, and connect with family and friends.
There are plenty of opportunities in the East Bay to cast a line. The Park District offers 10 fishing lakes, five bay and delta shoreline piers, and 25 miles of bay and delta shoreline for fishing. More info. | | Crab Cove Fish Festival: Aug. 23 | | On Saturday, Aug. 23, the Doug Siden Visitor Center and Aquarium at Crab Cove in Alameda hosts its annual Fish Festival. Visitors can observe fish up close at the Mobile Fish Exhibit and enjoy fish crafts, face-painting, fishy games, and much more! More info. | | Sharp Skills: A Weekend of Stone Tool Crafting at Coyote Hills: Aug. 23-24 | Watch skilled stone-tool makers demonstrate the art of flintknapping, showcasing how chert and obsidian are transformed into spear points and arrow points. Observe experienced artisans at work and discover the techniques behind turning raw materials into artisanal shaped stones. All ages. Parent participation required. Parking fees apply where charged. More info. | | Park District Co-Hosts Sanos y Seguros Event at Quarry Lakes: Aug. 24 | Join the Park District and Latino Outdoors SF Bay Area at Quarry Lakes on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Sanos y Seguros: A Day at the Lake. Activities will include swimming (depending on water quality), activities and games, food, and community. Learn water safety tips and find out more about the Park District's water recreation activities. More info. | Volunteers are vital to the East Bay Regional Parks! Volunteer opportunities are available year-round across the Park District. Visit the Volunteer Programs webpage to explore events like cleanups, trail work, and other beautification projects. Check back regularly for new listings. More info. | | Commemoration and Celebration: Port Chicago Weekend Recap | | From July 17 to 20, the Bay Area came together to honor the legacy of the Port Chicago sailors through a powerful weekend of remembrance and community.
Organized by the Port Chicago Alliance, events featured music, art, food, and educational activities that highlighted the historical significance of the Port Chicago explosion and its lasting impact on the civil rights movement.
The Park District hosted a naturalist-guided wellness walk at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50. | | Fin-Tastic Fish Feedings at Crab Cove | Crab Cove at Crown Memorial State Beach is a great place to learn about local fish species. Numerous species of fish thrive in the deep murky waters of the San Francisco Bay. Each unique fish has a role in keeping the bay healthy and thriving. Drop into the Doug Siden Visitor Center and Aquarium at Crab Cove on Wednesdays or weekend afternoons at 3 p.m. to observe crabs, fish, and other critters while they eat. More info. | Making Music at Garin Barn: Aug 10 | Head to the Red Barn at Garin Regional Park on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. to hear and play some summer classics and California songs. Bring instruments and voices; musicians of all skill levels and abilities are welcome! Parking fees apply where charged. More info. | Tilden's Animal Architects: Aug. 10 and 17 | These homes may not be featured in Architectural Digest, but make no mistake, these animal dwellings are elaborate feats of engineering and building. Who built them? Take a walk in the Tilden Nature Area on Sunday, Aug. 10 and 17, at 3 p.m. in search of these architectural wonders and examine the animal builder's craft. More info. | Get the Buzz on Bees in August! | | Come see what all the buzz is about! Celebrate one of the world's most important pollinators at programs that include making honey bee art, tasting honey-based foods and drinks, making beeswax candles, building a beehouse, and observing busy bees at work in their habitat.
National Honey Bee Day Celebration Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Del Valle, Livermore
Chalk the Patio - Honey Bee Theme Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to noon Big Break, Oakley
National Honey Bee Day Saturday, Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon Crown Beach, Alameda
Build a Beehouse Saturday, Aug. 23, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Ardenwood, Fremont | | Ardenwood Family Movie Night: Aug. 16 | Head to Ardenwood Historic Farm on Saturday, Aug. 16 for a FREE showing of the hit movie Moana 2! Rated PG with a run time of 1 hour 40 minutes. The movie begins shortly after sunset (around 8 p.m.). Arrive early to secure a good seat on the lawn. Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, and a blanket or chairs for sitting. No pets. Rain cancels. More info. | Butterfly Walks in the Regional Parks Botanic Garden: Aug. 20 and 23 | August is one of the peak months for spotting butterflies in the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park. During summers days with pleasant weather, visitors may see between six and 10 butterfly species. These special guided walks are free, but space is limited and registration is required. Butterfly walks take place Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. More info. | Lemonade of the Land at Del Valle: Last Two Weekends in August | There's nothing more refreshing than a cold cup of lemonade on a hot summer's day! Stop by the Del Valle Visitor Center to taste test some different flavors of lemonade made from edible plants in the park and see how else plants are used for food. Drop-in program on Saturday, Aug. 23; and Saturday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 1 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. More info. | ASL Night Exploration in Sunol: Aug. 27 | Be a scientist for the night as Sunol's winged wonders take flight. On Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m., join a naturalist-led walk, along with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, to learn about bats and nocturnal animals of Sunol before embarking on a short journey to a location nearby for bat viewing. Discover these marvels as they emerge from their roosts. Registration required. More info. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
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