EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT NEWS | | Welcome to a New Year of Adventures in Nature | | As we step into 2026, the Park District invites visitors to start the year outdoors — exploring, connecting, and discovering all that the Regional Parks have to offer. Whether setting new fitness goals, looking to learn something new, or simply hoping to spend more time in nature, inspiration can be found every step of the way in these beautiful parklands.
This issue highlights exciting winter programs, nature walks, volunteer opportunities, and the launch of the 2026 Trails Challenge — an invitation for visitors to explore the East Bay's diverse landscapes at their own pace.
Here's to another year of outdoor adventures and shared experiences in nature! | Get Ready for the 2026 Trails Challenge! | | Kick off the new year with adventure! The East Bay Regional Park District's 2026 Trails Challenge begins Jan. 1. Explore the beauty of the East Bay by hiking, biking, or horseback riding on trails throughout the Regional Parks system.
The Trails Challenge guidebook highlights 20 treks, selected to showcase a variety of experiences and differing intensity levels, from easy strolls to challenging climbs.
To complete the Challenge, finish five of the routes featured in the guidebook or traverse a combination of 26.2 miles on any trails in the Regional Parks. Submit a completed Trails Challenge log online or by mail to request a commemorative pin. The Challenge runs all year long, so hit the trails and enjoy the views!
Starting Jan. 1, pick up a free guidebook and participant T-shirt while supplies last at Park District Visitor Centers. Learn more and download a PDF version of the guide starting Jan. 1 on the Trails Challenge webpage.
Join one of the upcoming guided hikes on routes featured in the 2026 Trails Challenge guidebook. | East Bay Regional Park District Expands Hayward Regional Shoreline with Land Acquisition | Exciting news along the Hayward shoreline! The acquisition of approximately 77 acres of shoreline from Hayward Area Recreation & Park District (H.A.R.D.) strengthens long-term efforts to restore vital marsh habitat, prepare for sea level rise, and secure permanent public access along the San Francisco Bay Trail at Hayward Regional Shoreline. More info. | 2026 Budget Focused on Parks and Trails, Sustainability, and Wildfire Prevention | On Dec. 16, 2025, the Park District Board of Directors approved the $431.3 million budget for 2026. The budget priorities for 2026 include trail development and maintenance, strategic land acquisition and opening new parklands, sustainability (purchasing, recycling, energy efficiency, and resource conservation), continued emphasis on equity, inclusion and community engagement, and continued efforts toward fuel suppression and wildfire prevention, among others. Full details will be available when the 2026 budget is published in February. More info. | | New Land Acquisition Advances Future Regional Park in Concord | | The East Bay Regional Park District recently added approximately 190 acres of new parkland adjacent to Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, in Concord, strengthening long-term open space protection and advancing future parkland connectivity in the region.
The newly acquired Britton and Britton adjacent properties, located between the Park District's former Concord Naval Weapons Station lands to the west and the Upper Hess Creek Watershed property to the east, create a continuous stretch of protected open space in an area rich with natural habitat and cultural history. The properties include open grasslands, scattered oak woodlands, riparian vegetation, and a year-round spring and pond that support local wildlife. More info. | Annual Wild Mushroom Advisory | During the rainy winter season, wild mushrooms pop up in great numbers throughout East Bay Regional Parks. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of the parklands and can look beautiful—but some of them contain dangerous toxins. When visiting Regional Parks, the best way to stay safe is to ensure that no mushrooms are consumed by humans or pets. Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed. More info. | Wildcat Canyon Road in Tilden Reopens | The Contra Costa County Public Works Department has completed the Wildcat Canyon Road Slope Failure Repair Project and the road is now open to all users. The project involved repairing and restoring an approximately 250-foot stretch of the road between Inspiration Point and San Pablo Dam Road, which had been closed since March 2023 due to a landslide. Photo courtesy Contra Costa Public Works. | How to Get Engaged in the District Plan Process | The East Bay Regional Park District is developing a new District Plan to guide decisions on how to prioritize public resources to best serve residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties for decades to come — and community input is essential! Visit the District Plan webpage for the latest schedule of engagement events and activities. | | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: Jan. 19 | All over the nation, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service inspires Americans to come together and serve their communities. Celebrate Dr. King's holiday on Monday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon by volunteering at a clean-up project to bring us closer to his vision of a beloved community. More info. | Tilden Fungus Fair: Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 | Celebrate the fruits of winter at the Tilden Fungus Fair on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. View hundreds of local mushroom specimens on display. Mingle with the mycological community and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two-day special event. Learn to identify edible and poisonous mushrooms, explore fungal ecology, and discover the hidden beauty of the Bay Area's wild mushrooms. More info. | | Celebrating Black History Walk at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park: Feb. 7 and 8 | In honor of Black History Month, sign up for a guided walk through the not-yet-opened Thurgood Marshall Regional Park — Home of the Port Chicago 50 on Saturday, Feb. 7, or Sunday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The walk offers narration about the site's history and its vital role in the desegregation of the armed forces. Expect a 1- to 1.5-mile easy walk on mostly paved terrain. Best for ages 10 and up; parent participation required. Meeting location provided to registrants by email. Register early, this event fills up quickly. More info. | | Walk and Talk with Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal at Black Diamond Mines: Jan. 10 | | The East Bay Regional Park District is hosting a 1-mile, naturalist-guided Walk and Talk at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in partnership with Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal. Explore this historic and picturesque park, engage with local representatives, and learn about the physical and mental health benefits of the outdoors. • Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10:00 a.m. to noon • Black Diamond Mines in Antioch
Upper Parking Lot, at the end of Somerville Rd.
(1 mile past the entry kiosk) • RSVP to GovAffairs@ebparks.org • Please advise if accommodations are needed | Sand Dune Habitat Restoration at Encinal Beach: Jan. 17 | Pull invasive weeds and pick up trash at Encinal Beach in Alameda on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Help restore the dunes and beautify the beach for wildlife in this beautiful sand dune habitat with unique California native plants. Snacks and tools provided. Students can earn community service hours. Ages 8 years and up. Registration required. More info. | | Marsh Creek Clean Up in Brentwood: Jan. 19 | Join the community for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service project at Marsh Creek in Brentwood on Monday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. Help clean up this important habitat where chinook salmon traverse great obstacles and distance to complete their life cycle. Meet at Creekside Park and plan for an easy hike with limited access to restrooms. No registration required. More info. | Thank You and Happy New Year!
East Bay Regional Park Supporters Are One-in-a-Million | Thank you to all who contributed to the Regional Parks Foundation's One-in-a-Million campaign in 2025. There's still time to contribute to the Foundation's goal of raising $1 million to support East Bay Regional Parks. Every gift goes a long way—creating more opportunities to explore and learn about our parks, while ensuring their preservation and stewardship well into the future. Make your New Year's resolution to support East Bay Regional Parks in 2026! | | Mindfulness Walks at Big Break | | Enjoy the natural beauty of Big Break Regional Shoreline and set intentions for the new year on a 2-mile Mindfulness Walk. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Big Break Mindfulness Walks, from 2 to 3 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 9 • Saturday, Jan. 10 • Sunday, Jan. 11 | The Magic of Mushrooms at Tilden Nature Area | | In addition to the Tilden Fungus Fair, visitors can venture into the woods at Tilden's mushroom programs this month. Meet at the Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center.
Mushrooms! Sunday, Jan. 4, 11, and 25, from 11 a.m. to noon
With a little precipitation, they begin appearing as if by magic. Fantastical forms and colors, sometimes delicious and sometimes deadly. Enjoy a naturalist-led walk to look for mushrooms. No collecting permitted in Regional Parks.
Gills, Thrills & Drawing Skills: Sunday, Jan. 4 and 18, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Wander slowly across the forest floor and explore the interesting look of mushrooms. Pause to notice their shapes and gills, sketching along the way. Drawing supplies are provided (or bring your own.) Best for ages 8 and up; parent participation required. | Looking for Lichen at Del Valle: Jan. 4 and 25 | | Fungus and algae living together create a complicated superstar … lichen! Explore Del Valle and learn about an amazing symbiotic relationship in nature. Visitors will learn to appreciate the tiny wonders living all around and never look at a tree trunk or rock the same way again.
Looking for Lichen at Del Valle: • Sunday, Jan. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to noon • Sunday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon | Meet the Chickens at Ardenwood | | Head to Ardenwood Historic Farm to meet and help feed the hens and roosters and enjoy hands-on activities that spark curiosity about chickens. No registration required, entrance fee may apply.
Ardenwood's Chicken Programs:
Meet the Chickens: Sunday, Jan. 4, and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 31, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Chicken Miracles: Saturday, Jan. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Experience a King Tide on the Bay: Jan. 3 | | Witness the dramatic effects of a King Tide—the highest of high tides that occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align to amplify the ocean's gravitational pull. Photo courtesy California King Tides Project.
King Tide Walk at Hayward Shoreline: Saturday, Jan. 3, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
A guided easy walk along the bayshore offers a chance to learn about the King Tide effects on the marshlands. Come dressed for walking in muddy conditions. Best for ages 5 and up; parent participation required. Meet at the West Winton Staging Area.
Observing the King Tide at Crab Cove: Saturday, Jan. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
See how the shoreline transforms as water levels rise, sometimes flooding normally dry areas. We'll explore where birds find refuge, take photos to contribute to the California King Tides Project, and discuss how scientists and planners are preparing for future sea level rise. And if a windy storm rolls in, the scene becomes even more spectacular! Meet at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove. | | Eagle Elegance Stroll at Sunol: Jan. 10 | | Wander through the Sunol Wilderness on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to celebrate National Eagle Day, Hike approximately 2.5 miles round trip while learning about this incredible raptor. The hike is rated easy-to-moderate with elevation gain up to 760 ft. Registration required. More info.
| Peaks, Valleys, Explore! at Black Diamond Mines: Jan. 17 | Sign up for an incredible all-day hike to experience some of the most scenic parts of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve at Peaks, Valleys, Explore! on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Be ready for a challenging 9-mile hike on trails that will take visitors off the beaten path to explore the incredible beauty of the preserve. Reservations required. | Botanic Garden Hosts the Watershed Project at Wayne Roderick Series Talk: Jan. 17 | | Join Ethan Rayner, restoration and volunteer manager at the Watershed Project, on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden's Visitor Center auditorium for The Watershed Project: Wildcat Creek & More. Rayner's talk will describe the Watershed Project, highlight the seasonal shifts that occur in Wildcat Creek, and provide information on the current Wildcat Creek study. Learn about the recently completed sustainable erosion control project along a section of Wildcat Creek and how to participate in the creek study.
The Botanic Garden's Wayne Roderick Lecture Series are free talks held Saturday mornings from Nov. to Feb. at 10:30 a.m. Plan to arrive early, as seating is limited and parking can be a challenge on busy days. Photo courtesy Ethan Rayner. | Wings of the Wetlands at Coyote Hills: Jan. 25 | Meander through the marsh and spot migratory birds at Wings of the Wetlands on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Along the way at this beginner birding walk, learn about the incredible journeys these feathered friends undertake and the adaptations that help them thrive in colder months. Binoculars provided. Parking fees may apply. | Native Plant Gardening at Crab Cove: Jan. 31 | Beautify the gardens around the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove at the Native Plant Gardening volunteer event on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Help prepare the butterfly and native plant gardens for spring! Choose from weeding, pruning, mulching, and general clean-up. Snacks served and tools provided. Students can earn community service hours. Ages 8 and up. Registration required. Photo courtesy Alameda Patch. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
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