Celebrate Earth Day in Your Regional Parks |
Earth Day is a special day for the Park District, an annual reminder to cherish, preserve, and protect vital natural resources. Earth Day is the perfect moment to celebrate the natural spaces we are so lucky to have right here in the East Bay and to renew a shared commitment to keeping them beautiful for generations to come.
Join us in celebrating Earth Day by spending time in nature: enjoy a hike or ride, plan a picnic, or volunteer at one of the Park District's Earth Day volunteer opportunities (see locations below). Don't miss this month's Earth Day programs and activities taking place at locations throughout the District. Enjoy Earth Day in your Regional Parks! |
Trust for Public Land Secures Option on Former Golden Gate Fields Site, Launching Effort in Partnership with Park District to Transform Waterfront into Future East Bay Park |
On March 31, the Trust for Public Land (TPL), working in partnership with the East Bay Regional Park District, announced it had secured an option agreement on the former Golden Gate Fields property in Albany/Berkeley, creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the site into a future public park with community-serving recreational amenities along the San Francisco Bay, serving Bay Area residents for generations to come. The project would close the remaining gap in an interconnected shoreline park system connecting Richmond to Oakland, linking existing parks along the East Bay waterfront.
While still in the early stages, additional updates on the project and opportunities for public engagement will be shared as the process moves forward. Read the press release. |
Walk and Talk with Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston at Waterbird: April 4 |
Join Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, Park District Board Director Colin Coffey, and the Bay Point Municipal Advisory Council at a Walk and Talk at Waterbird Regional Shoreline in Martinez on Saturday, April 4, from 9 to 11am (note earlier-than-usual start time). RSVP to GovAffairs@ebparks.org and notify staff if any accommodations are needed. Reminder: dogs are not allowed at Waterbird, which is a protected habitat. |
Grand Opening of Coyote Hills Project |
A beautiful new area of Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont is now open for the public to enjoy. The Coyote Hills Restoration and Public Access Project grand opening and ribbon-cutting event on March 7 marked the successful completion of a project three decades in the making. More info. |
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U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon Tours Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline |
On March 13, U.S. Representative Lateefah Simon toured Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, highlighting $1.1 million in federal funding she secured for the Tidewater Day Use Area Public Access Improvement Project. The Park District is grateful to Rep. Simon for helping to secure additional federal funding for the Tidewater project, a park improvement which will provide the community with a new recreational destination and enhance access to the shoreline. Read the press release. |
Explore New Feature on the District Plan Webpage |
New! Visit the District Plan website to watch a recorded version of our informational webinar and learn about the District Plan development process, key achievements so far, and what comes next. The webinar also explains how to use the online engagement tools to give your input and help shape the future of East Bay Regional Parks. |
Challenging YOU to Complete the 2026 Trails Challenge |
We are three months into the 2026 Trails Challenge...are you ready to complete five of this year's 20 hikes and earn your pin? Last year, 829 people logged 28,807 Trails Challenge miles! Head to the trails and help beat those numbers this year.
Visit the Trails Challenge webpage to access a PDF version of the guidebook in English or Spanish, as well as a link to this year's 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 our major sponsors, Kaiser Permanente and Regional Parks Foundation.
Pictured above: Trails Challenge participant Somaly visiting the Ivan Dixon memorial bench on the moderate Briones hike. |
Where to See Wildflowers in Regional Parks |
In the height of wildflower season, there are beautiful displays and varieties found in almost all East Bay Regional Parks. Some parks where wildflowers are found in abundance include Briones, Del Valle, Las Trampas, Pleasanton Ridge, and Black Diamond Mines (photo above). For a full list of where to see wildflowers in the Regional Parks, visit Wildflowers in Your Parks. |
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Brazilian Room Cherry Blossom Celebration: April 7 |
Celebrate the beauty of spring against the backdrop of stunning heritage cherry trees at the Brazilian Room Cherry Blossom Celebration on Tuesday, April 7, from 4 to 8pm. Don't miss this opportunity to witness nature's artistry and enjoy one of the most breathtaking seasons of the year at the Brazilian Room.
This open house will provide an opportunity to view the venue and meet with approved caterers and preferred vendors for snacks, music, photos, and more. Bring your friends, family, and your love for blossoms to this enchanting celebration! Advanced registration is appreciated but not required. More info. |
Big Break Climate Adaptation Plan Virtual Workshop: April 7 |
Join Park District planning staff on Tuesday, April 7, from 6 to 7pm at the third and final meeting for the Big Break Climate Adaptation Plan. Hear about the final plan, share your thoughts, and be a part of shaping the future of Big Break Regional Shoreline. RSVP to receive a link to the online meeting. Info and Event Registration. |
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Sheep Shearing Day at Ardenwood: April 18 |
Head to Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont for Sheep Shearing Day on Saturday, April 18, from 11am to 3pm. See the farm’s sheep get their annual haircut, try your hand at wool carding, and make your own wooly lamb to take home. Park admission fees apply. Buy tickets online through Friday, April 17. Parking is free. More info. |
Iris Garden Opening at Dry Creek Pioneer: April 25 |
Enjoy the splendor of the Iris Garden in bloom at Dry Creek Garden. Visitors are welcome in the Iris Garden from April 23 to May 15, 2026, Thursdays through Sundays, from 10am to 4pm. The garden boasts over 2,500 varieties of irises. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day with the flowers, the birds, and the bees! Entry is free. Park at the Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park Staging Area (500 May Road, Union City) and follow directional signage to the Iris Garden entrance. Dogs are not allowed in the garden. |
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Meet & Greet Kicks Off District Plan Events with Community-Based Organization |
On March 16, Park District staff met with 16 partner community-based organization (CBOs) and provided District Plan resources for their engagement efforts and a chance for each of group to highlight their organization, share their engagement ideas, and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.
The CBOs beginning engagement activities and events this spring include Bike East Bay, Black Cultural Zone, BORP Adaptive Sports & Recreation, Cycles of Change, El Timpano, Forest and Tree, Growing Together, HOPE Collaborative, Monument Impact, NAACP Oakland, NAACP Oakland Imani Youth Council, Plantify, Rich City Rides, UCSF Children’s Hospital Center for Nature and Health, Urban Strategies Council, and Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay (VACCEB). More events are planned in the months ahead. Learn more about the District Plan. |
East Bay Anza 250 Symposium: April 11 |
Explore the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition’s impact on the East Bay for its 250th anniversary at the East Bay Anza 250 Symposium. The symposium is a collaborative gathering that honors Indigenous legacies and fosters dialogue about how this history informs our present. The event takes place on Saturday, April 11, from 9am to 4pm at the Los Medanos College Student Union Building. Tickets are available online. For a truly immersive experience, travel to the symposium venue on the adjacent trail segment of the Delta de Anza Regional Trail, a paved, multi-use hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trail spanning central and eastern Contra Costa County. |
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Earth Day Volunteer Clean-up Projects: April 25 |
Join us at multiple locations throughout the East Bay Regional Parks to help complete meaningful projects for Earth Day. Register by clicking on the location and project links below. While most projects accept walkup volunteers, some require pre-registration, so please check before heading out.
• Anthony Chabot Litter Pick-up (Oakland) • Crown Memorial State Beach Cleanup (Alameda) • Del Valle Shoreline Cleanup (Livermore) • Lake Chabot Garden Maintenance (Castro Valley) • Martin Luther King Shoreline Cleanups (Oakland) • Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Invasive Plant Removal (Pinole) • Quarry Lakes Shoreline Cleanup (Fremont)
Earth Day Event on Wednesday, April 22, from 11am to 2pm: • Temescal Earth Day Gardening (Oakland)
For groups of 10 or more people, please register using the links above and then call (510) 544-2229 or email Volunteers@ebparks.org to notify staff. |
Assembly Bill 481 Community Engagement Meeting: April 29 |
Assembly Bill 481 is a California law that promotes transparency and accountability in how law enforcement agencies acquire and use military equipment. It ensures the community has a voice by requiring public reporting, policies, and opportunities for input before certain equipment is approved or renewed.
Join the Park District Police Department for the AB 481 Community Engagement Meeting on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30pm to learn more, ask questions, and share your feedback. Meeting to be held at Public Safety Headquarters: 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. |
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Spring Plant Sales at Tilden's Regional Parks Botanic Garden |
Stock up on native plants at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden's weekly and monthly plant sales. Plant sales are held on Wednesdays from 10am to noon, and the first Saturday of the month from 10am to 2pm (except May). Current plant inventory is available on the Botanic Garden website. |
Patterson Ranch Walk at Coyote Hills: April 4 |
Explore the newest Coyote Hills trails at Patterson Ranch on Saturday, April 4, from 1 to 2:30pm. Learn how this addition to the park expands public access and restores 170 acres of habitat, including oak savanna, marshlands, and seasonal wetlands. Discover the benefits of the 10,000 native trees and shrubs planted to restore the site’s historic ecology and enhance wildlife habitat. Bring layers and sun protection. All ages. Wheelchair accessible. More info. |
Family Movie Night at Lake Chabot: April 4 |
Spend an evening outdoors with your loved ones on Saturday, April 4, at Lake Chabot. Enjoy a free showing of the 2025 live action hit movie Lilo & Stitch, rated PG. The movie begins shortly after sunset (7:35pm). 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. |
Egg-cellent Tea Eggs at Ardenwood: April 5 |
Celebrate Easter and the history of Asian immigrants on Sunday, April 5, from 11:30am to 12:30pm at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Learn how to make tasty tea eggs with our farm fresh eggs! More info. |
Community Campfire at Del Valle: April 11 |
Explore the wonders of springtime at Del Valle at the community campfire on Saturday, April 11, from 5 to 8pm. Enjoy special activities (and s’mores, of course) while learning about blooms, butterflies, birds, and more. Take a naturalist-led evening stroll and experience Del Valle at dusk. More info. |
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Wooly Lambs at Tilden Nature Area: April 11 & 25 |
Have you ever wondered what a sheep’s wool felt like? Learn about Tilden Little Farm's sheep and make your own mini sheep from their wool to take home. The program meets at the Tilden Nature Area Visitor Center on April 11 or 25, from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Parent participation required. More info. |
Sip and Stroll at Big Break: April 16 |
Gather on the Big Break patio on Thursday, April 16, from 6:30 to 8pm for an evening social hour. Enjoy Big Break themed mocktails and hors d'oeuvres and relax with an art project and an evening stroll in the park. Meet at the Visitor Center for this free, adult-participation program for ages 18 years and up. More info. |
Black Diamond Mines Open House Weekend: April 18 & 19 |
Discover the stories of miners who toiled underground and experience a replica coal mine at the Black Diamond Mines Open House Weekend on April 18 and 19. Learn about the dangers of working deep in the layers of the Earth and explore the area's fascinating geology.
Coal Mine Experience Schedule: 10:30-11am 11:30-Noon 1:30-2pm 2:30-3pm
Note: The Coal Mine Experience is for ages 7 and up only. The underground Greathouse Visitor Center will be open and additional activities will be available for those unable to join tours. Bring warm layers, as mine temperatures are in the mid-50s year-round. More info. |
Wildflowers of Sunol Serpentine: April 19 |
Explore Sunol's serpentine soils and discover the plants that thrive in this unique environment on Sunday, April 19, from 9am to noon. Sign-ups are first come, first served and occur the morning of the program at the Visitor Center. For ages 8 and up. More info. |
Low Tide Explorers at Crown Beach: April 12 & 26 |
Head to the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove on Sunday, April 12 and 26, from 2:30 to 3:30pm to see what mysteries await discovery in the rocky riprap. Low tide reveals a glimpse of another world along the bay shore. Poke around and see what’s living among the seaweeds and barnacles. Rainboots are recommended. More info. |
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