eNews: What's Happening in Your Regional Parks

April 2023

NEWS & FEATURES

Celebrate Earth Day in East Bay Regional Parks

A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH

The month of April is when we enjoy the annual celebration of Earth Day. Launched on April 22, 1970 as an environmental teach-in, Earth Day is now a global movement galvanizing over a billion people to engage in activities to protect the Earth and the environment. Earth Day is close to the Park District’s heart and mission to preserve and protect our natural resources here in the East Bay.

Earth Day is both a celebration of the natural environment we enjoy in the Regional Parks and a reminder of our responsibility to take care of it. Join us for an Earth Day themed activity, take a hike or ride in nature, or volunteer at an Earth Day clean-up event in a park or in your neighborhood. Learn more about Earth Day activities at the Park District.

Enjoy Earth Day in your Regional Parks!

Learning How to Share Our Trails

Have you spotted one of these new signs in the Regional Parks? They are part of the Trails are for Everyone educational campaign and provide specific trail use information with the goal of increased safety and trail courtesy. Our website has additional tips for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. More Info.

Trail Use Pilot Project Starts at Briones Regional Park April 21

Launching April 21, 2023, the two-year Briones Pilot Project will test a variety of trail management strategies, including providing new temporary access to some trails and restoring illegally constructed “bootleg" trails to protect natural habitat and wildlife. The project is limited to a specific zone in the northeast corner of Briones Regional Park.

The Briones Pilot Project establishes specific rules limiting trail use, such as hiking only, biking only, or biking/hiking only and direction of travel. Learn more and help protect habitat and wildlife.

Plan Ahead to Enjoy Busy Parks in Spring and Summer

The warm sunshine and spring weather brings visitors in greater numbers than ever to enjoy the Regional Parks. Please keep in mind that with increased attendance, some parking areas and vehicle access points may need to close temporarily due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations. Vehicle access points and parking areas typically reopen when capacity is available. Please park legally and follow staff directions when visiting parks at busier times, which are typically weekends from mid-morning to late afternoon. More Info.

IN THE PARKS

McCosker Creek Restoration and Public Access Project Update

The largest creek restoration project in the Park District’s history is wrapping up at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. The McCosker Creek Restoration and Public Access Project, which began construction in 2020, daylights 3,000 linear feet of previously culverted creek and restores habitat with the potential to support 10 special-status or protected species. More Info.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Earth Day Volunteer Clean-up Projects: Saturday, April 22

Park, shoreline, and beach clean-up events are planned at multiple locations throughout the Park District, as well as planting projects and spreading mulch (Lake Chabot).

Clean-up locations include:

• Point Pinole

• Hayward Shoreline

• Tidewater Boating Center

• Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline

• Crown Beach

• Lake Chabot

Multicultural Wellness Walk at Big Break: Saturday, April 29

Discover the wonders of the Delta on a leisurely walk and learn about the area’s history, wetlands, and wildlife. Walking with community is a great way to meet new people, improve your physical and mental wellbeing, and reduce stress. Stop along the way for nature discovery and gentle mobility exercises. Please register in advance if you plan to attend. More Info.

FEATURED ACTIVITIES

Where to See Wildflowers in Regional Parks

This year's historic rainy winter season brings the promise of an exceptional spring wildflower season. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at this time of year is where to see them. Visitors will find wildflowers in almost every park this year, but here is a list of parks with generally good showings throughout the wildflower season.

• Anthony Chabot Regional Park

• Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

• Briones Regional Park

• Del Valle Regional Park

• Las Trampas Wilderness Regional Preserve

• Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park

• Serpentine Prairie Resource Protection Area at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

• Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

• Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve

• Vargas Plateau Regional Park

More Info on Wildflowers in Regional Parks.

Earth Day Activities

Earth Day for the Bees at Coyote Hills

Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10-11am

Join the Park District in the Nectar Garden for the Global Earth Challenge Bee Campaign! Monitor pollinator populations, learn the importance of bees and other pollinators, and take home a native bee-friendly plant.

Earth Day at Del Valle*

Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11am-3pm

Join the Park District at the visitor center for a scavenger hunt, make a craft to take home, explore the Oak Hills trail, and get up close with animal specimens. *pending reopening of the park

American Sign Language (ASL) Earth Day Walk at Sunol

Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 2-4pm

Celebrate Earth Day on a guided hike with professional American Sign Language interpreters. All are welcome!

Earth Day Family Nature Fun Hour - Going Green at Crab Cove

Sat April 22 and Sun April 23, 2023, from 1:30-2:30pm

Celebrate Earth Day with engaging and educational activities at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove.