NEWS FROM EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS | | | Enjoy a Free Park Day on Green Friday A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA LANDRETH | | Thanksgiving is a special time of year when friends and family gather to spend time together. It's also a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. Each year, to encourage time in nature, the Park District celebrates Green Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — as a free park day in East Bay Regional Parks. Spending time in nature is a healthy and fun way to enjoy the holiday.
On Green Friday, all entrance and activity fees are waived, including parking, 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.)
Celebrate a free day in East Bay Regional Parks and enjoy one of these Green Friday activities. | Celebrate Native American Heritage Month | November marks Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. Here in the East Bay, we honor and celebrate the Indigenous communities that have called this land home since time immemorial and the tribal citizens who remain connected to their land and culture. Native American Heritage Month activities. | Honoring Veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11 | | On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Park District is honoring veterans, service members, and retirees with free park entrance. The fee waiver includes free parking and entry to all East Bay Regional Parks, including Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. It does not include boat launch or inspection fees, fishing permits, or concessions, such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round and Redwood Valley Railway steam train.
Additional benefits for veterans:
The Park District honors the Distinguished Veteran Pass, which is administered by California State Parks. Veterans with a Distinguished Veteran Pass receive free day-use parking and free entry to Ardenwood Historic Farm, not including special events.
The Regional Parks Foundation offers a discounted Special Access Membership for veterans. | | North Basin Strip Public Meeting: Nov. 19 | | Join Park District planners for the third and final North Basin Strip Project public meeting where the proposed preliminary design will be shown to the public and stakeholders. Provide valuable feedback prior to closing out this phase of the project. North Basin Strip Project info.
McLaughlin Eastshore State Park Berkeley North Basin Strip Project Public Meeting #3 Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 7-8:30 p.m. North Berkeley Senior Center (map) 1901 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709 | Seeking Proposals from Community-Based Organizations for District Plan Public Engagement | | The Park District is seeking a Request for Proposals for nonprofit and community-based organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to work together on community engagement activities. Selected organizations will be compensated for helping the Park District connect with local residents to learn how people access Regional Parks and programs and to identify barriers that may limit participation. Input from underserved East Bay communities, as well as organizations serving youth, people with disabilities, and non-English speaking communities, is an important part of preparing a new District Plan.
Some geographic areas of interest include: • Unincorporated Alameda County (Cherryland, Ashland, San Lorenzo) • East and West Oakland • Western Contra Costa County (Richmond, North Richmond, San Pablo) • East Contra Costa County (Pittsburg, Antioch) • Southern Alameda County (Fremont, Union City, Newark)
Application deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 12. Learn more and apply. | | | Newt News! Tilden's 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, 2026, 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. | Purchasing Fishing Permits at Quarry Lakes is Now Cashless | | Fishing at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in Fremont just got easier! Buy daily fishing permits online — anytime, anywhere. Get started at the Quarry Lakes Daily Fishing Permit webpage (new users will need to create an account).
Reminder: Obtaining paper permits from the old iron rangers will be discontinued after December 14. From then on, permits can be purchased online or use credit card/tap-to-pay at the ranger kiosk located at the main entrance. | | Wildcat Creek Restoration Completed in Regional Parks Botanic Garden | An erosion repair project has been completed along Wildcat Creek in the Botanic Garden's canyon section. The undercut bank was restored and the channel was stabilized with logs to redirect water flow away from the bank. Wrapped soil layers planted with willows will further help to stabilize the bank. Stroll along the path in the canyon section next to Wildcat Creek to see the newly repaired area. | | Clayton Ranch Walk and Talk: Nov. 22 | | Join Park District Board President John Mercurio and Clayton Mayor Kim Trupiano on a Walk and Talk at the future Clayton Ranch Regional Park on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Explore a future Regional Park, engage with local representatives, and learn about the physical and mental health benefits of the outdoors.
The event will include a 1-mile naturalist-led walk. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy at the end of the tour and learn about future plans for the park.
Black Diamond Trail Parking Lot
Clayton, CA 94517 (map) Overflow Parking (map)
RSVP by Nov. 15: GovAffairs@ebparks.org Please make a note if you require any accommodation or mobility assistance. | Join the One in a Million Campaign | Donations to the Regional Parks Foundation support the Park District's educational and recreational programs and help to provide universal access and environmental stewardship. The Foundation's year-end giving campaign seeks to raise $1 million to support Park District programs and projects. With a donation of any size to the One in a Million Campaign, donors join a community of supporters who keep East Bay Regional Parks strong for tomorrow and generations to come. More info. | | Donate Food to District Fire Department's Thanksgiving Food Drive | | The Park District Fire Department is hosting its 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 locations to donate non-perishable food items through Nov. 18: • Tilden Park Golf Course 10 Golf Course Dr., Berkeley (map) • Park District Headquarters
2950 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland (map) • Park District Public Safety Headquarters
17930 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley (map)
No time to shop? Donate directly online at the Virtual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Every $55 donated is equal to one full barrel of food.
| Park District and Foundation Support BORP Adaptive Sports Expo | | The Regional Parks Foundation and Park District naturalists and recreation leaders were on hand to support the recent BORP Adaptive Sports Expo. This annual event offered free adaptive sports activities for everyone, regardless of experience. From wheelchair rugby to kayaking, there was something for all abilities to enjoy. At the event, more than 250 participants, families, and community partners were able to experience the joy of adaptive sports, many for the very first time.
The Park District collaborates with BORP (Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program) to provide accessibility details for visitors to make informed choices about outdoor places to visit, based on their particular access needs. Learn more about BORP and its mission to promote community, inclusion, and the power of adaptive sports. | | | Late fall is the perfect season to get outside and explore the Regional Parks. Whether it's a challenging hike or a gentle stroll, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Embrace the cool weather, crisp air, changing plant colors, and abundant wildlife on these fall walks and strolls. Let the natural beauty of the East Bay rejuvenate your spirit on these unforgettable fall adventures.
Wednesday Walk at Huckleberry (3.5 miles), Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday Walk at Sibley (3.75 miles), Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Saturday Stroll at Reinhardt Redwood (4 miles), Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m. to noon | Wayne Roderick Lecture Series at the Botanic Garden | | From November to March at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, visitors are invited to enjoy the Wayne Roderick Lectures, a free series of presentations on a broad array of topics related to plants and natural history.
Named in honor of its founder, a former director of the Botanic Garden, the Wayne Roderick Lectures take place on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Visitor Center auditorium and are enjoyable for all experience levels. Photo by Sandy Steinman.
Saturday, Nov. 8: Author Gene Thomas discusses Milkweeds of the United States | Harvesting Three Sisters Wisdom at Ardenwood: Nov. 8 and 27 | Discover the Three Sisters — corn, beans, and squash — traditional companion plants grown together for their strength and nourishment. Join Ardenwood naturalists on Saturday, Nov. 8 and 22, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in celebration of Native American Heritage Month to hear the legend behind this planting method and explore its wisdom through a hands-on activity. Meet at the Hay Circle. More info. | All-Star Species of Black Diamond Mines: Nov. 9 | Join Black Diamond Mines naturalists on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to learn about the all-star plants and animals that make up this preserve's healthy chaparral ecosystem. The 2- to 3-mile hike will include sections of steep, uneven, unpaved terrain and 400- to 500 ft elevation gain. Best for ages 8 and up. Meet at the upper parking lot. More info. | Veterans Day Open House at Crab Cove: Nov. 11 | Crab Cove was a maritime academy during WWII. Dirigibles flew, men practiced rowing, and what today is the Visitor Center then served as an infirmary. Honor veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. by taking a self-guided history walk around the park, enjoying a historic photo display, or making a craft with a loved one. Begin at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove. More info. | | Sunset Hike at Coyote Hills: Nov. 15 | Enjoy a moderate hike up Glider Hill to watch the sun set over the bay on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wear sturdy shoes and layers and bring a flashlight on this steep hike with sweeping vistas. Parent participation required. Meet at the Visitor Center. More info. | Woodrat Wonderland at Tilden: Nov. 16 | Ever wonder who makes the piles of sticks in parks or who skitters through the trees at night? Discover the world of the dusky-footed woodrat on Sunday, Nov. 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn more about this amazing rodent on a leisurely stroll through the park in search of their clues. Parent participation required. Meet at the Visitor Center. More info. | Big Break Star Party: Nov. 22 | Join Big Break naturalists on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and gaze into the night sky above the Delta. Discover constellations and learn about our place in the galaxy. Bring red-light headlamps or red cellophane-covered or red-lens flashlights, as white light disrupts night vision. Parent participation required. Meet at the Visitor Center. More info. | Barn Owl Box Project at Del Valle: Nov. 28 and 29 | Help prepare Del Valle's barn owl boxes for next year's inhabitants on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn about owls, find out what they eat, and see what they leave behind! Suitable for volunteers ages 10 and up. Adult participation required. Registration required. More info. | Seasons Family Stroll at Sunol: Nov. 30 | Join Sunol naturalists on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on a family-friendly stroll and enjoy the changes of the season. Learn how animals stay warm in the winter months while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. Dress in warm layers and bring a reusable mug. The trail is narrow and uneven and not recommended for strollers. Adult participation required. Meet at the Visitor Center. More info. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
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