EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT NEWS | | Get a Head Start on the 2026 Trails Challenge | The 2026 Trails Challenge is on! Don't have the guidebook in hand? Visit the Trails Challenge webpage to access a PDF version of the guidebook in English or Spanish, as well as a link to this collection of trails on the AllTrails app. All finishers qualify for a participant pin and monthly prize drawings, while supplies last. Challenge finishers in special categories can request a patch. Special thanks to the Trails Challenge major sponsors, Kaiser Permanente and Regional Parks Foundation. | Celebrate Black History Month with the Park District | In celebration of Black History Month, join the Park District for stories of contributions of individuals and groups through naturalist-led programs focused on the history of Black environmentalists and conservationists. (The popular Black History walks at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 are at capacity.) More into. | District Plan Community Engagement: Next Round Begins | | The East Bay Regional Park District is developing its next District Plan, and it's time for Round 2 of public engagement. An initial public survey conducted in summer 2025 helped lift up some areas of interest expressed by survey respondents (view results).
Your input is critical every step of the way toward finalizing this important guiding document for the Park District. Engagement opportunities will include virtual and in-person meetings, pop-up events, and online input. Learn more on the District Plan webpage. | | Now Hiring Lifeguards for the 2026 Swim Season Applications Accepted through Mar. 23 | | Does working outdoors in a Park District swim facility and serving the community sound like a great summer job?
Open-water lifeguards have the unique opportunity to protect lives in a variety of environments, including pools, lagoons, lakes, and the bay. Lifeguard Services provides high-quality lifeguards for recreational swimming, aquatic special events, and aquatic programs at 15 swimming areas. Apply now to be part of the East Bay Regional Parks lifeguard team for summer 2026!
Requirements: • Must pass swim/physical test. • Must be age 16 or older by Apr. 18. • All applicants are required to complete a physical agility swim test, which are offered beginning mid-March. • Paid training—Starting wage of $22.70.
Get details at eblifeguard.org/job. | | Park District Launches Community Engagement Grant Pilot Program | The Park District launched a new opportunity designed to build long-term relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs) by funding programs and activities that align with Park District goals to improve public access to nature. We have had a great response to the initial call for letters of intent to submit proposals, so the Regional Parks Foundation has offered to match the District's original funding, bringing the total available to $300,000. More info. | CAL FIRE Grant Award for Anthony Chabot Forest Fuels Enhancement Project | Thank you to CAL FIRE for the $950,000 Wildfire Prevention Grant awarded to the Anthony Chabot Forest Fuels Enhancement Project, a critical initiative to reduce wildfire risk and enhance ecological resilience in the East Bay hills. This project, located in the San Leandro Creek watershed, will treat over 556 acres of high-risk land within Anthony Chabot Regional Park, directly benefiting nearby communities, including Oakland, San Leandro, and Castro Valley. The project builds on previous fuel reduction efforts, ensuring long-term sustainability and improved wildfire response capacity. Key highlights include wildfire risk reduction, comprehensive treatments, ecological restoration, and community safety. | 2025 Public Safety Awards | | Congratulations to 2025 Public Safety Award recipients, whose dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence truly represent the best of our organization. Thank you for your hard work and service and for the positive impact you make every day. - Officer of the Year: Officer Dowke
- Dispatcher of the Year: Dispatcher Thornell
- Civilian Professional of the Year: Senior Administrative Specialist Parenteau
| | Keeping 127,000 acres of parkland in great shape is no small task—and maintaining miles of paved trails, roads, and parking lots is a big part of it. With Regional Parks welcoming nearly 30 million visits each year, those surfaces see plenty of foot and vehicle traffic.
Here's a snapshot of 2026 resurfacing projects. Temporary closures will be posted on the relevant park webpages as work is scheduled, with additional notification provided through on-site signage in affected areas. - 0.6 miles of the Bayview Trail at Coyote Hills Regional Park
- 0.9 miles of the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail at South Lucille Lane in Lafayette
- 1.5 miles of the Alameda Creek Regional Trail between the Beard Staging Area and Decoto Road in Union City
- 5.9 miles of the Marsh Creek Regional Trail between Creekside Park and East Cyprus Road in Oakley
- 1.9 miles of the Delta de Anza Regional Trail between Railroad Avenue and Desrys Boulevard in Antioch
- Entire parking lot of the Brazilian Room event center in Tilden Regional Park
| | Great Backyard Bird Count at Big Break: Feb. 14 & 15 | | Join millions of people worldwide Feb. 13-16 for the Great Backyard Bird Count! Report observations from a computer or download an app. New participants to the Great Backyard Bird Count can download the free Merlin Bird ID app to get started. Experienced birders who have participated before can download the eBird app for reporting. Participants can begin entering bird lists at midnight on the first day of the count and report findings until midnight of Mar. 1.
Great Backyard Bird Count Programs at Big Break Bring binoculars/spotting scope if possible, but there are some available to loan out. Free drop-in program, meet at the Visitor Center. Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 3pm.. | Coyote Hills Docent Training: Feb. 21 & 28 | | Share the natural and cultural history of Coyote Hills Regional Park with visitors of all ages as a volunteer docent. The docent program provides a rewarding opportunity for people who are passionate about nature, history, and community engagement.
Docent training includes time in the classroom and outdoors, equipping volunteers with the knowledge and skills to engage visitors and promote conservation efforts. Trainees must attend both sessions (Feb. 21 and 28). Minimum age to volunteer is 18. Pre-registration is required.
Email docents.coyotehills@ebparks.org to receive an application. More info. | | All Abilities Day at Big Break: Mar. 3 | Explore nature at your own pace and in your own way at Big Break's All Abilities Day on Tuesday, Mar. 3, from 10am to 1 pm. This free drop-in program is inclusive, offering something for people of all abilities. Travel along paved trails to visit stations to touch fur, listen to birds, draw wildlife, sit on benches to scan the water, or paint the view. American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be on site. More info. | Castle Rock Area of Mount Diablo State Park Closed for Peregrine Falcon Nesting Season | For the protection of the American peregrine falcon, the Castle Rock area of Mount Diablo State Park is closed to visitors annually from Feb. 1 to Jul. 31. Although the rock formations, known as Castle Rock, are in Mt. Diablo State Park, most visitors reach them through Diablo Foothills Regional Park. This protected species is highly territorial and sensitive to disturbance, especially during nesting season. No other portions of the park are affected. | | Community Outreach — Outdoor Program (CO-OP) | | The Community Outreach-Outdoor Program (CO-OP) is a summer partnership with local non-profit organizations during July, August, and September. The program goal is to equip, educate, and empower partners to independently lead overnight recreation activities in their parks. Partners can choose between overnight car camping or an introductory backpacking trip. The Park District provides campsite reservations, buses, food, equipment, and recreation leaders to facilitate various activities (such as hiking, fishing, field games, and environmental education), as well as an information night for group leaders and participants.
Groups selected for the program must commit to recruiting participants, helping to plan activities, promoting trips, completing paperwork, and supervising campers. This program is supported by the Regional Parks Foundation and focuses on communities that face access, transportation, or other barriers to outdoor recreation.
Applications are due Mar. 31. More info. | | Thank You for Another Successful Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service | | Thank you to all of the community members and staff who contributed to the successful event at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline on Jan. 19, beautifying the shoreline at Arrowhead Marsh and Oakport Field and taking part in garden maintenance at the Grove. The impressive event stats include: - More than 700 volunteers participated
- 1,800 volunteer hours were served
- Two 20-yard dumpsters were filled
- 8,000 lbs. of trash removed from the shoreline
| Regional Parks Foundation Financial Aid "Camperships" – Now Accepting Applications | The Regional Parks Foundation provides Camperships (financial aid) to qualifying youth for select summer programs. Families must reside in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. Completed application forms should be submitted at least 14 days prior to the start date of the program, but earlier submission is encouraged. An approved Campership must be on file before registering for programs. More info. | | Freaky and Fabulous Fungi at Tilden Botanic Garden: Feb. 7 | Join Debbie Viess, cofounder of the Bay Area Mycological Society, at the free Wayne Roderick lecture at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:30am. to noon. During the presentations, attendees will enjoy a fun trip through the wonderful kingdom of fungi, followed by a mushroom walk through the botanic garden. Space is limited; arrive early to park and find seating. More info. | Find Your Focus on the Bay Shoreline - Birds at Crab Cove: Feb. 8 & 22 | Get to know the myriad birds that call the bay shores and waters home in the winter on Sunday, Feb. 8 and 22, from 8:30 to 10am. The mudflats of Crab Cove and Ballena Bay host flocks of shorebirds and the surrounding waters support rafts of ducks. Sneak a peek through long lenses and try to capture our feathered friends going about their morning business. Registration is required. More info. | Celebrate Love of Nature at Valentine's Day Programs | | What's not to love about spending time in Regional Parks? Celebrate your love of nature at one of the Park District's Valentine's Day programs.
Pre-Valentine's Day Bird-Loving Chocolate Tasting at Crab Cove in Alameda Friday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 8pm. Registration required
Love is in the Water at Sibley in Oakland Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10am to noon
Baby Animals in Nature Coyote Hills in Fremont Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11am to noon
We Heart Nature - Earth Valentines at Coyote Hills in Fremont Saturday, Feb. 14, from 1 to 2pm
ASL Paint in Nature: Valentine's Edition at Sunol Wilderness in Sunol Saturday, Feb. 14, from 1 to 3:30pm Registration required
| Pressing Plants at Ardenwood: Feb. 14 & 22 | Flowers are fun for the whole family. On Saturday, Feb. 14 and 22, from 1:30 to 2:30pm, learn how to press and preserve plants of all types and take home your finished flower to enjoy. Ardenwood admission fee applies. More info. | Mushroom Tea and Trails at Coyote Hills: Feb. 15 | | Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms—their habitats, varieties, and hidden roles in the ecosystem. On Sunday, Feb. 15, from 10 to 11:30am, embark on a short fungus frolic and then return to a warm cup of mushroom tea. More info.
| | President's Day - Greathouse Visitor Center Open at Black Diamond Mines: Feb. 16 | Drop in on Monday, Feb. 16, from 10am to 2 pm to celebrate President's Day at Black Diamond Mines. Visit the underground Greathouse Visitor Center to participate in a family-friendly craft, learn about mining history, and chat about the park. More info. | Decomposer Heroes at Sunol: Feb. 21 | Delve into the world of decomposers, from fantastic fungi to wonderful worms on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 3pm. This youth-focused program will begin at the Sunol Visitor Center and will consist of activities and an optional stroll through the park to search for decomposers. Bring drinking water and wear clothes that can get dirty. More info. | Winter Wetland Walk at Big Break: Feb. 21 & 22 | Meet at the Visitor Center on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 3pm. to see how water seeps into the park throughout the winter. Soak up the beautiful sights and unique smells of a winter wetland as we look out for fungus, migratory birds and other Big Break wildlife. More info. | Community Campfire and Visitor Center Open House at Del Valle: Feb. 22 | Bundle up and gather 'round the fire to discover Del Valle at dusk on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 4 to 6:30pm. Staff will facilitate activities that teach about local wildlife, the night sky, and other park happenings, and the Visitor Center will be open to explore. After enjoying s'mores, head out on a short hike as the sun sets. Dress in warm clothing and bring a flashlight. More info. | Garden Helpers at Tilden Nature Area: Feb. 27 | Drop in at the Tilden Little Farm Garden to lend a hand and see how the garden grows on Friday, Feb. 27, from 2 to 3pm. Enter next to the Round Barn at the Little Farm to see what's going on in the winter garden. More info. | | Connecting Parks to People | | | | |
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