NEWS FROM EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS | | | Heading into Fall in the Park District A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH | | September ushers in the start of fall in the East Bay, and our Regional Parks are ready to welcome you with a full slate of events and community celebrations.
In this issue, find links to some of our most anticipated events, including: · Garin Apple Festival · Ardenwood All Abilities Day · California Coastal Cleanup Day · UN International Day of Peace · And programs honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, California Biodiversity Day, and Latino Conservation Week
Autumn is a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the crisp mornings and great hiking conditions our parks have to offer. However, this time of year is also prime for wildfires, due to dried out vegetation from summer heat and the offshore winds that historically occur in September and October. Please stay alert to fire warnings and follow all park visitor guidelines. Your safety remains our highest priority.
We look forward to welcoming you into the parks this fall—come celebrate the season with us!
| Park District Acquires Point Molate Property for Future Regional Park | | On Aug. 26, the Park District acquired 82 acres at Point Molate for a future Regional Park. This acquisition ensures the shoreline is protected forever as public parkland and open space—a remarkable achievement for the entire Bay Area. Special thanks to the City of Richmond, Guidiville Rancheria of California, California State Coastal Conservancy, and California Energy Commission Commissioner Nancy Skinner for their support in making this vision a reality. More info. | Park District Police Department Achieves Full Staffing | The Park District has reached 100% staffing at the sworn police officer rank—a significant achievement. With all 76 sworn officer positions filled, the department is positioned better than ever to deliver on its high standards for service, safety, and community trust. This milestone underscores the Park District's commitment to recruitment and retention and reflects the department's reputation as a rewarding and respected place to build a career in public safety. More info. | Land Added to Future Deer Valley Regional Park | | On Aug. 8, the East Bay Regional Park District announced the acquisition of a 140-acre property from the John R. Freschi, Jr., living trust in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. The property is located in eastern Contra Costa County, south of Antioch and southwest of Brentwood, within the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan area.
The property features beautiful oak woodlands, sprawling grasslands, Marsh Creek, and a seasonal pond. Wildlife studies have not yet been conducted, but the habitat found on the property is known to support the California red-legged frog, the California tiger salamander, and a variety of raptors. More info. | | Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 | Celebrate the heritage rooted in all Latin American countries during Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with nature stories and contributions from Hispanic and Latino Americans. Hispanic Heritage Month Programs | | September is the busiest month of calving season (August to October) in Regional Parks.
Calving Season Safety Tips: • Do not approach or touch calves. • Do not take selfies with calves. • Do not get between a mother and her calf. • Do not worry if a calf is by itself. The mother cow is usually nearby. • Leash dogs around cattle and keep them away from calves.
More info. | | September/October Regional in Nature Activity Guide Now Available | The September/October Regional in Nature Activity Guide is now available. View it online to read Park District news and to get information about fun events, nature experiences, and programs, including the Garin Apple Festival, Ardenwood Harvest Festival, Sunol Heritage Festival, California Coastal Cleanup, Ardenwood Haunted Railroad, tarantula season, and more. More info. | New Technology to Fight Wildfires | | On Aug. 19, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors voted to join the statewide ALERTCalifornia wildfire camera network to help monitor wildfires. The agreement allows the Park District to control existing cameras covering Regional Parks, providing fire personnel with enhanced tools to detect and respond quickly to fire outbreaks. The Park District will also explore potential new locations for cameras. The ALERTCalifornia network uses cutting-edge technology to identify wildfires, provide early confirmation, and enhance situational awareness. The cameras can spin 360 degrees and use AI to detect smoke, with alerts sent to emergency command centers and firefighters. The system also helps monitor and assess the impacts of other natural disasters, such as extreme weather, landslides, and earthquakes. The public can view the ALERTCalifornia camera network at alertcalifornia.org. | | Garin Apple Festival: Sunday, Sept. 7 | Discover a bushel of orchard-inary fun at the Garin Apple Festival on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore local farming history at this family-friendly event. Enjoy orchard tours, crafts, apple samples, live music, and more. Garin Regional Park's historic orchard features hundreds of varieties of apples, plums, and other fruit trees. More info. | Coastal Cleanup Day: Saturday, Sept. 20 | Help restore, clean, and preserve East Bay shorelines and waterways during the annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. A new feature this year is a TRASHure Hunt, where participants who find a golden trash grabber could win a special prize. The Park District's cleanup locations include 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. | | Efforts Underway to Restore Wildcat Creek at Regional Parks Botanic Garden | An erosion repair project along Wildcat Creek in the Botanic Garden's canyon section is underway, with work extending into October. This first-of-its-kind restoration for the Park District uses logs, rocks, plantings, and wrapped soil to stabilize the slope. The creek will be temporarily rerouted through pipes, and trout in the work area will be relocated further down Wildcat Creek. A Park District biologist will be onsite at all times during construction. Access to adjacent trails may be impacted periodically during the work period. | | Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center Voted Best Horse Riding Camp in Parents Press | Congratulations to Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center, located in Oakland's Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, for winning Best Horse Riding Camp in Parents Press! Each year, Parents Press readers vote for the best summer camps in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and across the East Bay. Skyline Ranch is known for its high-quality instructional programming and serves as a reminder of the East Bay's deep-rooted horse culture and traditions. More info. | Walk and Talk at Deer Valley with Antioch Council Member Monica Wilson: Sept. 20 | | The East Bay Regional Park District and Antioch Councilmember Monica Wilson invite the public to a Walk and Talk at the future Deer Valley Regional Preserve on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. This event provides a rare opportunity to learn about plans for restoration, development, and future public access. Enjoy a 1-mile naturalist-led walk and a presentation on development efforts by staff from the Park District's Planning Department. RSVP to GovAffairs@ebparks.org by Sept. 12, noting any requirements for accommodation or mobility assistance. No dogs are allowed at this location.
| Non-profit Group Opportunities to Use Roberts Pool: Sept. 11 Community Zoom | Nonprofit groups are invited to apply for after-hours special use of Roberts Pool at Roberts Regional Recreation Area. An informational Zoom session will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11:30 a.m. to review eligibility requirements and application details. The application deadline has been extended to Oct. 6. More info. | | | Wild Within Reach Free Foundation Lunch and Learn Webinar Series | Join the Regional Parks Foundation this fall for Wild Within Reach, a free virtual Lunch and Learn series featuring Park District biologists and environmental stewardship experts. Each session will spotlight local topics—from shorebirds to snakes, and from oak woodlands to urban green spaces—offering a behind-the-scenes look at the biodiversity and conservation work happening in Regional Parks. Learn about current restoration projects, get inspired by stories from the field, and discover simple ways to get involved. Each seminar will offer ample opportunity for Q&A following the presentations. More info. | UN International Day of Peace at Lake Chabot: Sept. 21 | Join the annual UN International Day of Peace gathering, along with the Eden Area Interfaith Council and United Nations East Bay Chapter, near the Peace Pole at Lake Chabot Regional Park on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Build community, explore the UN theme Act Now for a Peaceful World, engage in dialogue and reflection, hear community peace messages, and enjoy activities, music, and food. More info. | | Weekend Family Nature Fun Hour at Crab Cove | Head to the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove in Alameda at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for the Family Nature Fun Hour! Spend an afternoon at the bay, make new discoveries, and enjoy a new activity such as games, crafts, and special surprises. Topics vary. More info. | Weekend Tours at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden | Join the knowledgeable Regional Parks Botanic Garden docents for free guided tours on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center for an hourlong tour suitable for all ages. Drop-in; no registration required. Tours are limited to 10 people. More info. | Reptile Rendezvous - Weekends in Sunol | On Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 2:30 p.m., meet resident animal ambassadors at the Sunol Visitor Center and learn about the fascinating reptiles of the Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve. Discover how they help their ecosystem–and us, too! Ages 7 and up, parent participation required. Drop-in; no registration required. More info. | California Biodiversity Day Nature Walk at Big Break: Sept. 6-7 | Celebrate California Biodiversity Day at Big Break on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 and 7, at 2 p.m. with an explorative nature walk. Stroll along the trails and learn about the unique biodiversity of the Delta wetland. Drop-in; no registration required. More info. | Biodiversity Bioblitz at Del Valle, en inglés y español: Sept. 7 | Join a community bioblitz on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and capture a snapshot of Del Valle as part of California Biodiversity Week. Find, identify, and record life all around the park. Download and use the iNaturalist mobile app to record observations of the area's wildlife, plants, and more. This program will be presented in English with Spanish translation available. Registration required. More info. | Ardenwood All Abilities Day: Sept. 11 | Explore Ardenwood Historic Farm's All Abilities Day on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This inclusive program caters to all abilities, offering something for everyone! Stroll along paved trails to visit farm animals, learn about crops, crafts, tour the Patterson House, or enjoy a scenic train ride. Drop-in; no registration required. More info. | | Latino Conservation Week: Sept. 13-21 | Join the Park District during Latino Conservation Week, Sept. 13-21, for nature programs at various locations in the Park District. Latino Conservation Week was created to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect natural resources. More info. | Free Outdoor Movie Night at Tilden: Sept. 13 | Looking for a fun way to spend an evening outdoors with friends and family? Head to the Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley on Saturday, Sept. 13 for a free showing of the hit movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The movie begins shortly after sunset. Arrive early to secure a good seat on the Environmental Education Center lawn. Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, and a blanket or chairs for sitting. No pets. Rain cancels. More info. | Autumn ASL Walks at Black Diamond Mines: Sept. 21 | Join Black Diamond Mines staff and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. for the Autumn ASL Walks at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. On this 1-mile walk, participants will reference historic photos, maps, and landscape clues to uncover the forgotten history of the coal mines and nearby communities that helped fuel California's rise in the global economy. Drop-in; no registration required. Parking fee may apply. Walks meet in the upper parking lot, one mile past the kiosk. More info. | Bass Fishing Basics at Temescal: Sept. 26 | Learn the essentials of bass fishing at this beginner-friendly program on Friday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Temescal Regional Recreation Area. Bass Basics focuses on simple, effective techniques and understanding bass behavior. With expert guidance and real-time feedback, attendees build confidence, adapt to different situations, and develop smart habits for successful fishing. Parent participation required. Ages 16 and older requires a valid state fishing license. Registration required. More info. | Ethnobotany Walk at Coyote Hills: Sept. 27 | Join a Coyote Hills naturalist for a short walk on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to noon to learn how Native Californians have traditionally used plants—both in the past and today. Visit the native plant garden and walk out to the freshwater marsh. All ages welcome. Parent participation required. Parking fees may apply. Drop-in; no registration required. More info. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
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