EBRPD Draft Camping Program

Camping Program Update

Prepared by: 2M Associates

In collaboration with: Land Economics Consultants, LLC. Questa Engineering Corporation

June 5, 2014 (DRAFT)

Camping Goals

Subject to availability of funding and specific Board action on individual elements, the proposed camping program should make available for interested East Bay residents a wide range of different and exciting camping experiences. It is intended that the camping experiences be diverse in nature, and that the camping sites be selected in a manner that assures a reasonable accessibility for East Bay residents, wherever they may live in the two-county area. Although a minimum number of improvements necessarily will be provided in order to accommodate the public, at all times the District's planning efforts will aim to retain a maximum of natural environmental setting. It is intended, also, that the camping facilities and experience will: • be of a regional nature. • occur in those selected District facilities in which the activity will not compromise or endanger the quality of the environment; all proposed individual camping programs (facilities and operations) will be subject to CEQA review and the park planning process. • be established with an awareness and participation of the neighboring communities which are in close proximity to the facility in which the camping activity is proposed. • be designed to insure appropriate access by persons with disabilities. Resolution No. 1996-4-80

The District will continue to plan and develop a balanced system of regional camping facilities, including day camps, group camps, backpack camps, family camps and residential camps.

Master Plan 2013 Policy RFA9

C AMPING P ROGRAM U PDATE O VERVIEW

This Camping Program Update continues the tradition of the East Bay Regional Park District providing a wide variety of overnight and recreational day camp opportunities through the District. This Camping Program Update is based on the camping program initiated by a Citizens Camping Task Force and adopted by the District Board in 1996.

This Camping Program Update incorporates the perspectives and participation of a wide range of individuals and organizations that included: a comprehensive review of regional recreation providers, their facilities, and their perspectives of camping trends; focused discussions with representatives of groups that use the District’s camps; an internet survey; and discussions and review with District staff.

The District currently includes three family camps, thirty-six group camps, twenty-two backpack camps, eight equestrian camps, and one residential camp. Day camp programs occur at any of the one hundred and sixty-nine group picnic sites spread throughout the District. These day camp programs include those offered by the District as well as other public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private enterprises. The demand for all types of camping is stable and is anticipated to increase with a growing population.

New Camps Fifty-two opportunities for developing new camps in District lands were evaluated as part of this Camping Program Update. Of these, thirty-four camp sites were prioritized with thirteen new camps being identified for development in the next seven years.

Other Camping Program Opportunities In the process of evaluating opportunities for new camps, and based on projected demand and trends in camping, a number of considerations about existing camps, operations, and reservations were identified that, if addressed, would also benefit the Camping Program. These include:

• Updating Facilities - Many of the existing District camps are aging and do not meet today’s campers’ expectations. Some camps are simply in need of addressing deferred maintenance, and in some cases complete overhaul.

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Outdated facilities, particularly restrooms in camps of all types, discourage use. Water and sewer infrastructure systems, including road design characteristics, limit use and expansion. The family camp at Anthony Chabot Regional Park is prime example of a facility needing an update.

• Upgrading Reservation Systems and Family Camp Designs for Flexibility: Family camps could be re-organized with slight modifications to accommodate the trend of “family group camping” where small groups of campers desire to have their own tent or trailer site, but be hear each other and have available a common gathering place for meals and socializing.

• Retrofitting and Managing Existing Camps for Multiple Use: There are existing backpack camps that could be modified with equestrian features without the need for an entirely separate camp with restroom and water supply. There are group overnight camps, most popular on weekends, that could be used for day camps during the week. There are some large group camps, that with some minimal redesign, could be used by multiple smaller groups.

• Recognizing Climate: While the District is blessed with a diversity of landscapes, from a camping perspective it also is cursed with a variety of extreme microclimates. Many of the areas of the District, without shade or a water feature for comfort, are inhospitable to camping in the summer months, While this is somewhat problematic, adding shade structures to some existing camps would help. Including shade structures in new camps should be a given.

Expanding Opportunities This Camping Program Update should be viewed as a living document. While some relatively new focused acquisitions in existing parks are evaluated, such as the McCosker site in Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve or the Brickyard site in the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, the District’s land acquisition program is dynamic. Opportunities to expand the camp system will arise and should be considered in the District’s ongoing land use planning. Examples include:

• Updating the Land Use Plan for acquisitions in the north Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park area to take advantage of opportunities for a self-contained multi-day backpack trip along the Calaveras Ridge Trail.

• East of Mount Diablo there is a dynamic program of land acquisitions that will benefit regional trail connectivity, outdoor recreation, and habitat

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conservation. These acquisitions, such as the Roddy Ranch and Smith properties, are linking developed District properties with existing camps as well as Mount Diablo State Park, that has family and group camps, and Marsh Creek State Park with planned hike-in and group camps. In the valleys and oak woodlands of these acquisitions, there are opportunities for environmentally themed backpack, group, and possibly family camps.

Recommendations The table below presents a summary of priority (1 to 7 years) recommendations of the Camping Program Update. All new or upgraded camps are assumed to accommodate the U.S. Access Board’s accessibility guidelines of developed outdoor recreation areas. An asterisk (*) indicates recommended initial actions. Recommendations are presented in alphabetical order by District property.

PRIORITY CAMP RECOMMENDATIONS General Consideration

Reservations Facilitating reservations for self-organizing “mini-groups” of 20 to 25 people to book multiple contiguous sites for the same time periods. Reservations and Improving reservation and rule enforcement systems at Operations existing group picnic areas and considering weekday use for selected group camp areas for day camp reservations. Planning for New Camps (with environmental documentation)

Ardenwood Historic Farm Resource and program evaluation to include a residential camp option and facilitate partner interest should such be expressed in the future. Briones Regional Park Minor LUP amendment to convert the Homestead Valley group camp into a backpack camp with equestrian facilities. Carquinez Strait Regional LUP amendment to: Shoreline* - include the Brickyard Site as a family camp with an ecology theme (tent camping, convenience camping, possibly small RV camping and potential water trail camp). - allow for reserved overnight convenience camping for access from the San Francisco Bay water trail. Delta Access Regional Initiate the land use planning for the site to include a family Recreation Area camp (tent camping, RV camping, possibly convenience camping), group camp, and potential water trail camp. Diablo Foothills Regional LUP amendment to include a backpack and equestrian camp Park at Castle Oaks along Shell Ridge. Sunol Wilderness Preserve* LUP amendment to convert the walk-in camp sites near the

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PRIORITY CAMP RECOMMENDATIONS Visitor Center to a group picnic area and allow for a family, destination-oriented family convenience camp upstream from the day use area along the east side of Alameda Creek (see also below). Wildcat Canyon Regional Update the existing Land Use Plan to include a backpack and Park equestrian camp at the north end of the paved section of the Nimitz Way Trail (Bay Area Ridge Trail). Renovating Camp Infrastructure Anthony Chabot Regional Initiate planning for significant renovation and upgrade of Park – Family and Group water supply, waste water systems, and vehicular circulation Camps* systems to accommodate current camping needs and expanded camping opportunities (note: significant multi-year capital investment). Developing New Camps Family Camps Dumbarton Quarry Family Camp RV Camping (Phase 1)* Sunol Family Convenience Camp Group Camps Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Shepard Canyon (San Francisco Bay Trail) Vargas Plateau Regional Park – Tenderfoot Camp (Bay Area Ridge Trail).* Backpack and Equestrian Briones Regional Park – Homestead Valley conversion from Camps a group camp with new vault toilet (Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail).* Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Franklin Hills Diablo Foothills Regional Park – Castle Oaks (Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail). Garin Regional Park – Old Corral (Bay Area Ridge Trail). Garin Regional Park – Palomares (Bay Area Ridge Trail). Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park – Sinbad Creek* (Calaveras Trail). Wildcat Canyon Regional Park – Nimitz Way (Bay Area Ridge Trail). Vargas Plateau Regional Park (Bay Area Ridge Trail). Water Trail Camps Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline: Eckley – construction of access launch features and two convenience camp facilities. Retrofitting Existing Facilities Anthony Chabot and Del Modify one selected set of contiguous camp sites for self- Valle Regional Parks* organizing “mini-groups” of 20 to 25 people with a common gathering campfire / meal area.

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PRIORITY CAMP RECOMMENDATIONS Anthony Chabot Regional Add accessible mounting blocks. Park – Bort Meadow Group Camp Black Diamond Mines Add vault toilets, shade shelter, water storage tank. Regional Preserve - Star Mine Group Camp Briones Regional Park – Add vault toilet. Maud Whalen Group Camp Briones Regional Park – Add vault toilet Wee-Ta-Chi Group Camp Del Valle Regional Park – Add vault toilet and accessible mounting blocks Caballo Loco Equestrian Camp Garin Regional Park – Add vault toilets and shade shelter with level grading and Arroyo Flats Group Camp new irrigation of the nearby camp meadow area Mission Peak Regional Park Convert the existing backpack camp for use by equestrians – Eagle Springs* Tilden Regional Park – ES Add vault toilet and accessible mounting blocks Anderson Equestrian Camp*

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A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EAST BAY Ward 1 Board Member: Whitney Dotson REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Ward 2 Board Member: John Sutter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ward 3 Board Member: Carol Severin

Ward 4 Board Member: Doug Siden

Ward 5 Board Member: Ayn Wieskamp

Ward 6 Board Member: Beverly Lane

Ward 7 Board Member: Ted Radke

General Manager: Robert E. Doyle

EAST BAY Jim O’Connor, Assistant General Manager Operations REGIONAL PARK Renee Patterson, Administrative Analyst II DISTRICT PROJECT TEAM AND UNIT Julie Boudurant, Senior Park Planner MANAGERS Anne Kasselbaum, Chief of Interpretation & Recreation

Paul Miller, Unit Manager – Interpretive Parks Mark Ragatz, Unit Manager – Parklands Anne Scheer, Chief of Park Operations

Warren Schultz , Unit Manager – Lakes Davio Santos, Unit Manager – Regional Trails Dania Stoneham, Unit Manager – Recreation Parks Kevin Takei, Unit Manager – Shoreline Parks

AGENCIES AND Focus Group Participants ORGANIZATIONS Bay Area Wilderness Training CONSULTED Bay Trail Project Bay Area Ridge Trail San Francisco Bay Water Trail Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Association

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Tri-Valley Trail Blazers Tri-Cities Horsemen’s Association Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter: Backpack Section Boy Scouts of America, Mt. Diablo/Silverado Council Boy Scouts of America, San Francisco Bay Area Council Girl Scouts of Northern California YMCA of the East Bay Taylor Family Foundation City of Alameda City of Berkeley City of Oakland City of Pleasanton City of Richmond Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Interviews California State Parks Marin County Parks and Open Space District Roughing It Day Camp Sonoma County Regional Parks Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department Solono County Parks

CONSULTANTS 2M Associates, Berkeley, California Patrick Tormay Miller, Partner Jane Elizabeth Miller, Partner

Land Economics Consultants, LLC Steven E. Spickard, Managing Principal

Questa Engineering Corporation Jeffery Peters, Principal

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C ONTENTS

page

Camping Program Overview Acknowledgements CHAPTER 1: Introduction ...... 1 1.1 District Camp Facilities ...... 5 1.1.1 Family Camps ...... 5 1.1.2 Group Camps ...... 6 1.1.3 Backpack and Water Trail Camps ...... 6 1.1.4 Equestrian Camps ...... 6 1.1.5 Residential Camps ...... 6 1.1.6 Day Camps ...... 7 1.1.7 Hostels ...... 7 1.2 Utilization of District Camp Facilities ...... 7 1.2.1 Family Camps ...... 9 1.2.2 Group Camps ...... 11 1.2.3 Backpack Camps ...... 15 1.2.4 Equestrian Camps ...... 16 1.2.5 Residential Camps ...... 17 1.2.6 Day Camps ...... 17 1.3 Nearby State Parks with Camping ...... 19

CHAPTER 2: Trends & Perspective ...... 21 2.1 National and Regional Trends ...... 21 2.1.1 Demographic Shifts ...... 21 National ...... 21 District (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) ...... 22 2.1.2 Indicators of Broader Demand for Camping ...... 24 2.1.3 Recreational Vehicles ...... 26 2.1.4 Nature Deficit and the Definition of Underserved ...... 26 2.1.5 Family Camping, Convenience Camping, and Glamping ...... 27 2.1.6 Reservations ...... 29 2.1.7 Hostelling and Hostels ...... 29 2.1.8 Regional Trails ...... 29 2.2 Overview of Camping Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area ...... 30 2.3 Best Practices ...... 37 2.3.1 General Evolution of Best Practices ...... 37 2.3.2 Best Practices Specific to Family Campgrounds ...... 37 2.3.3 Best Practices Specific to Convenience Camping Units ...... 39 2.3.4 Best Practices Specific to Group Camps ...... 42 2.3.5 Best Practices Specific to Residential Camps ...... 42

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page

2.4 Implications for the Review of Camping Program Opportunities ...... 44 2.4.1 General ...... 44 2.4.2 Family Camps ...... 45 2.4.3 Group Camps ...... 45 2.4.4 Backpack Camps ...... 45 2.4.5 Equestrian Camps ...... 46 2.4.6 Hostels ...... 46 2.4.7 Residential Camps ...... 46 2.4.8 Day Camps ...... 47

CHAPTER 3: District Camping Opportunities ...... 48 3.1 Overnight Camping Opportunities ...... 48 3.2 Opportunity Evaluation Criteria ...... 49 3.3 Camp Opportunities ...... 51 3.3.1 Family Camps ...... 51 3.3.2 Group Camps ...... 55 3.3.3 Backpack Camps ...... 62 3.3.4 Water Trail Camps ...... 68 3.3.5 Equestrian Camps ...... 70 3.3.6 Residential Camps ...... 70 3.3.7 Day Camps ...... 72 3.4 Conclusions ...... 72

CHAPTER 4: Recommended Camping Program Update ...... 73 4.1 Priority Evaluation Criteria ...... 73 4.2 Camping Program Priorities and Recommendations ...... 74 4.2.1 Family Camp Priorities ...... 74 4.2.2 Group Camp Priorities ...... 77 4.2.3 Backpack Camp Priorities ...... 79 4.2.4 Water Trail Camp Priorities ...... 81 4.2.5 Equestrian Camp Priorities ...... 82 4.2.6 Hostel Priorities ...... 82 4.2.7 Residential Camp Priorities ...... 82 4.2.8 Day Camp Priorities ...... 83 4.3 Other Considerations for Near-Term Priorities ...... 83 4.3.1 Planning ...... 83 4.3.2 Capital Improvement Costs ...... 84 4.3.3 Management Considerations ...... 84

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page LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1: Number of Camping Reservations Made ...... 8 Table 1-2: Camping Revenue by Fiscal Year ...... 9 Table 1-3: Reservation Statistics for Family Camps in 2013, by Complex ...... 10 Table 1-4: Campsites Sold by Month – Anthony Chabot Regional Park ...... 11 Table 1-5: Percentage of Total Nights Spent 2009 and 2010 ...... 12 Table 1-6: Utilization of Group Campsites (2013) ...... 13 Table 1-7: Group Camps’ Saturday Night Occupancy Rates (2013) ...... 14 Table 1-8: Saturday Night Occupancy Rates by Park Complex ( 2013) ...... 14 Table 1-9: Utilization of Backpack Campsites (2013) ...... 15 Table 1-10: Backpack Camps’ Saturday Night Occupancy rates (2013) ...... 16 Table 1-11: Utilization of Equestrian Group campsites (2013) ...... 16 Table 1-12: Visitation at Nearby State Park Campsites (2002-2012) ...... 20

Table 2-1: District Population: 50-Year Forecast, 2010 - 2060 ...... 23 Table 2-2: District and State Population Projections by Race/Ethnicity: 2010 - 2060 ...... 23 Table 2-3: Projected Population Alameda and Contra Costa Counties ...... 24 Table 2-4: Trend in State Parks Camping Visitor Attendance 2002 - 2012 ...... 25 Table 2-5: Camping Spectrum of Opportunities ...... 28 Table 2-6: Public Agency Camping Opportunities in the Region ...... 32

Table 3-1: Camping Opportunities ...... 48 Table 3-2: Opportunity Evaluation Criteria ...... 50 Table 3-3: New or Expanded Family Camp Opportunities ...... 51 Table 3-4: New Group Camp Opportunities ...... 56 Table 3-5: New Backpack Camp Opportunities ...... 64 Table 3-6: District Managed Bay Water Trail Sites ...... 68 Table 3-7: New Water Trail Camp Opportunities ...... 69 Table 3-8: Camping Opportunities Deferred from Further Consideration ...... 72

Table 4-1: Priority Criteria ...... 73 Table 4-2: Family Camp Priorities ...... 75 Table 4-3: Camping Units with Mobility Features ...... 76 Table 4-4: Group Camp Priorities ...... 78 Table 4-5: Backpack Camp Priorities ...... 80 Table 4-6: Water Trail Camp Priorities ...... 81 Table 4-7: Potential Increase in Operations Staffing ...... 85

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-2: Existing District Day Camp Sites Figure 2-1: Hostels – San Francisco Bay Region Figure 2-2: Public Agency Family Camps – San Francisco Bay Region Figure 3-1: Family and Residential Camp Opportunities Figure 3-2: Group Camp Opportunities Figure 3-3: Backpack and Water Trail Camp Opportunities Figure 4-1: Priority Sites - Camping Program Update

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ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Board of Directors Resolution 1996-4-80 Attachment B: Existing Reservable District Camps Attachment C: Facility Guidelines Attachment D: Picnic Site Use Attachment E: Camp Priority Evaluations Attachment F: Types of RVs Attachment G Planning and Capital Improvement Costs Attachment H: Internet Camping Survey Summary

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I NTRODUCTION

The East Bay Regional Park District is a special district founded in 1934 to acquire, manage, and operate an organization of public parks, open spaces, and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The District now comprises over 113,000 acres and more than 1,200 miles of trails.

The Camping On April 2, 1996 the District Board approved a camping program forwarded by the Task Force District’s Park Advisory Commission (Resolution No. 1996-4-80). That camping program is found in Attachment A and is incorporated into this Camping Program Update (Update) by reference. The foundation of the camping program was built on recommendations made by a Citizens Camping Task Force that was charged in 1992 to comprehensively review the District’s camping program to “…provide

direction to the District for the remainder of the decade and into the 21st century.”

The camping program adopted by the District Board in 1996 consists of:

• Goals • Policies and procedures • Long-term and short-term implementation objectives • Description and definitions of camping types • Camping guidelines and criteria • A listing of immediate and long-term implementation actions • A description of an annual process for camping enhancements

What This It has been over twenty years since the Camping Task Force initiated its review. Camping Program Since that time, numerous Task Force recommendations have been implemented, Update Is . . . And Is Not

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the District’s population has grown, demographics have changed, and new technologies have altered some user expectations and definitions of what constitutes a quality camping experience.

This Update does not alter the fundamental goals, policies, and direction of the recommendations approved by the Board in 1996. It does provide a review about the state of the existing camping program facilities, a regional perspective on supply and demand for different types of camping, a summary of trends, and an updated list of capital improvement actions for new and/or renovated camps to advance that program in meeting the needs of all District residents.

This Update is not an evaluation of District policies concerning user fees, the District’s camping reservation system, or detailed evaluation of existing staff requirements to accommodate a pre-defined level-of-service. With that understanding, it is recognized that all of these dynamics, particularly fees and charges, may impact overall utilization of camps.

This Update identifies capital improvement needs, potential optional improvement programs, and projections for the cost of improvements. Order-of-magnitude best estimates of capital costs and categorical estimates of likely operations burdens are provided. This Update is not an evaluation of the “feasibility” of each individually recommended priority project, the business models that will be used for operations, the synergy with existing park units, and the non-economic values that may be part of the motivation for the project. Definitions The camping program developed by the Task Force and this Update address the following types of camping. The Task Force did not have specific definitions for equestrian camps, aggregating them in with backpack or “trekking” camps.

Family Camps Family camps provide sites for individuals and families to camp using tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (RVs). In general, family camps offer these options:

• Campsites provided with a range of equipment, that may include picnic tables, storage facilities, fire pits/barbecue grills, potable water, toilets, showers, etc.; • Primitive sites, with minimal amenities including some but not all of the following: fire pits/barbecue grill; access to water, and showers. • RV sites which make specific provision for utilization and occupancy by

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RVs. Frequently, a single family campground may actually include provision for all of these optional sites.

Group Camps Group camps are sites for both day and overnight organized camping for youth, adult, and special interest groups. Group camping is typically a weekend activity involving one or two overnights. There are two types of group campsites. “Developed” group camps are located within family camps and may include amenities such as easy access, and access to shower and flush toilets. They may have electricity, however currently none do. “Primitive” group camps are generally in more remote locations, have chemical or vault toilets, and no access to showers.

Backpack Camps Backpack camps are sites with minimum facilities, providing traditional trail- related tent camping in a natural setting. Backpack camps include water trail camps. Backpack camps typically serve from 1 to 24 campers. There may be individual and group use options at any camp. They are available for reservation by individuals and small groups for overnights at a single park, or at several parks sequentially for longer treks using the regional trail system.

Equestrian Camps Equestrian camps are sites typically accessible by a vehicle pulling a horse trailer and used as a base camp for day rides. Equestrian camps typically serve from 1 to 75 trailers. They are available for reservation by individuals and groups for overnights at a single park, or, when combined with trail-related camps, at several parks sequentially for longer treks using the regional trail system.

Residential Camps There are four types of residential camps. They include:

• Resident Youth Camps: Organized youth camping programs occur under the direction and care of responsible and trained adults and generally have specific educational and growth activities in an outdoor setting. Resident camp stays are typically at least four days in length and may extend to several weeks. They are often theme-based to help children learn new skills and discuss new understanding about themselves and each other. • Environmental Education Camps: School environmental camps provide a setting for school children to study their relationships in and to the natural world, using a resident learning experience. The effectiveness of the experience is confirmed by the fact that many classroom teachers seek the experience for their students and arrange for funding (typically not available through their school district). This type of camping provides effective learning about the environment through hands-on experience, and in addition it adds integrated social, emotional and cognitive benefits to the classroom. • Retreating: Generally involves a group of 10 to 75 persons, engaged in an

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experience led by a selected leader(s). Usually all parts of the program are integrated, flowing smoothly through a structured sequence of experiences with all members participating in the same set of activities; generally, there is a relatively small amount of optional time. It is most effective to have facilities "under one roof" to enhance the continuity and the building of relationships. • Conferencing: Generally involves a group of 50 to 200 persons (or more), organized by a director or steering committee, and led by a variety of trained staff. The program is focused around a common theme but allows participants opportunities to choose specific activities. The schedule of options is coordinated but participants are usually not expected to function as a single group except for major plenary sessions or keynote events, and probably meals. Often conference centers are designed as campuses with a variety of housing and recreation options. Hostels In the context of the District, hostels would meet the standards of Hosteling International – USA (formerly American Youth Hostels) whose mission is "to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling." Hostels are live-in facilities that typically provide an appropriate stop-over locale for travelers who are on a planned journey of varying length, distance and duration. The range of service provided is quite variable, but for the most part, hostels tend to include:

• Dormitory type accommodations • Minimum kitchen facilities to be used by hostel residents • Toilet facilities and related amenities • Lounge space Length of stay in hostels varies from place to place, but frequently a maximum of four to seven days may be established. Fees are usually developed to accommodate complete operational cost recovery.

Day Camps Day camps are organized daytime outdoor recreation programs provided for groups of school-age children, primarily on weekdays and typically during the summer months. Day camps can occur at reservable group picnic sites and group campsites and are available to for- and non-profit organizations that specifically operate day camps for youth. Premier Day Camps are the District's best equipped sites spread regionally and promoted as ideal locations for summer day camps. On a limited selective basis the camping experience can involve a single overnight.

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E XISTING D ISTRICT 1.0 C AMPS

Presented below is a summary of existing district camping facilities and programs. A summary of utilization, by type of camp facility, is also provided. 1.1 District Camp Facilities Figure 1-1 illustrates the reservable overnight camps on District lands. Attachment B provides a listing of these overnight camps, by park unit, and their capacities. Attachment C provides a listing of amenity features recommended for each type of camp.

There are over 225 reservable family campsites, 64 other reservable overnight camping facilities, and one residential camp on District lands. The total designed capacity of all overnight camps, including residential camps, would accommodate 4,780 campers at one time.

In addition to overnight campsites, Figure 1-2 illustrates the locations and numbers of reservable group picnic areas available for day camp use throughout the District.

1.1.1 Family Camps There are three existing family camps on District lands with 225 individual reservable campsites. These are located at:

• Anthony Chabot Regional Park: with 63 walk-in and tent campsites (one ADA accessible), 12 trailer/RV campsites with full hookups (sewer, water, and 30 amp electrical), and a developed group camp. Walk-in sites have no vehicle access and customers must carry all of their equipment in to the site. Less used camp loops and walk-in sites are closed from November 1st through April 1st. • Del Valle Regional Park / Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area: with 150 sites

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(two ADA accessible) and 21 trailer/RV campsites with full hookups (sewer, water, and 50/30/120 amp electrical). The campground also includes two developed group campsites. Access to two camp loops and one group camp is closed November 1st through April 1st because of high water flows along Arroyo Valle. • Sunol Regional Wilderness: Currently closed during the Calaveras Dam replacement project, the family campground consists of 4 walk-in tent sites. There are no trailer/RV hookup sites.

1.1.2 Group Camps There are 3 developed group sites, one at Anthony Chabot Regional Park and two at Del Valle Regional Park. The remaining 33 sites are primitive group camps.

1.1.3 Backpack and Water Trail Camps There are 22 backpack camp locations within the District. Typical facilities include a vault toilet, water, and picnic table. However, backpack sites do not necessarily have potable water. At some sites, such as Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, potable water may be found nearby. Use of the majority of backpack camps requires camp stoves for cooking as most sites do not have fire rings/barbecues. There is one primitive water trail camp located at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.

1.1.4 Equestrian Camps There are 8 equestrian camps within the District with 4 additional sites where horses are allowed, but have limited amenities. The majority of these camps are not developed and are used as base camps with associated trailer parking from which day rides take place. One equestrian camp, Doe Camp 1 located along the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, is not accessible by trailer. In some cases, equestrian camps are located in areas also used as a group camp and/or backpack camp. Equestrian camp facilities range from primitive without potable water to more developed with corrals and/or hitching posts, potable water, and vault toilets.

1.1.5 Residential Camps There is one residential camp in the District, Camp Arroyo is a designed "green" camp environmental education center located in a 138-acre park owned by the East Bay Regional Park District and operated by the YMCA of the East Bay. The camp has overnight accommodations for 144 individuals. It is used by local school district programs with a curriculum relating to the California State Content Standards as well as for overnight summer camps, family camping, conferences, and retreats. Camp Arroyo also operates under a unique partnership with The Taylor Family Foundation

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(TTFF) whose mission is to preserve the wellness and enhance the quality of life for children in northern California living with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, and youth at-risk through unique therapeutic experiences and support. At Camp Arroyo, TTFF hosts racially and socio-economically diverse groups. Over the years more than 40,000 children have attended camp.

Facilities at Camp Arroyo include:

• Dining Hall: A straw-bale building seats up to 150 with audio-visual facilities, ping-pong and billiards tables, and restrooms. • Amphitheater: With seating for 200 and a campfire circle. • Cabins: 12 cabins each with six sets of bunk beds, shower and bathroom, storage bins, mud room, porch, and an outdoor picnic table. • Pool: Accommodates up to 50 people with changing areas that include showers and bathroom facilities. It is wheelchair accessible (open May through mid- October). • Infirmary. • Sports courts for basketball and bocce ball. • Large field sports area. • Challenge course with a 38-foot climbing wall, high ropes course and zip line. • Organic garden. • Access to hiking trails. 1.1.6 Day Camps There are 36 group camps as shown on Figure 1-1, and 133 reservable group picnic areas within the District that may be used for day camps as shown in Figure 1-2. Day camp facilities typically include potable water, nearby restrooms or vault toilets, picnic tables, and barbecue. Day camps are either located near an open multi-use field or another special-use recreation facility such as a swimming area or the Little Farm at Tilden Regional Park

1.1.7 Hostels There are currently no hostels within the District.

1.2 Utilization of District Camp Facilities The existing camping facilities in the District have been subject to increasing demand over the long run. Data from the District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports provide an overview of the long-term demand trend, measured in terms of the number of camping reservations made, as shown in Table 1-1. Some fluctuation from year to

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year should be expected due to weather, general health of the economy, and other factors affecting people’s use of recreational time. Note that in the case of the existing family camps at Anthony Chabot and Del Valle, additional campsites are sold at the gate on a drive-up basis subject to availability and will add slightly to the totals depicted in Table 1-1

A slightly longer historical pattern can be seen in the revenue statistics for camping reservations, also from the District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, in Table 1-2. Total revenue collections from camping do include the drive-up campers at the family camps, but also include the effects of any inflation adjustments or other policy changes in camping fees. Even so, the long-term trend of increasing demand pressure for camping on the District is clear.

Table 1-1: Number of Camping Reservations Made

16,000

14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Source: EBRPD, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, FY 12/31/2012.

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Table 1-2: Camping Revenue by Fiscal Year

$800,000

$700,000

$600,000

$500,000

$400,000

$300,000

$200,000

$100,000

$0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Source: EBRPD, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, FY 12/31/2012.

1.2.1 Family Camps Family camps are currently provided within the District at two major complexes, Anthony Chabot and Del Valle, with approximately 75 and 150 campsites each. Both camps were toured and District management staff interviewed. An overview of utilization is provided by reservation statistics, presented in Table 1-3. Total utilization is even higher because on-site sales are accepted when the camps are not full, and add to the number of bookings captured by the reservation system.

The average annual occupancies indicated by advance reservations alone are in the 30 to 40 percent range, which is relatively strong for camps and indicates heavy demand pressure during peak periods. As expected, the average occupancy over the entire year is a combination of lower occupancies during mid-week periods and much higher occupancies on weekends.

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Table 1-3: Reservation Statistics for Family Camps in 2013, by Complex

Staff at Anthony Chabot have been able to track the drive-up campers, as well as the advance reservation customers, and have developed the statistical picture of total utilization presented in Table 1-4, which shows the reoccurring pattern throughout the year over the last eight years. From the increasing height of the lines, the trend of generally increasing demand year-over-year can be seen. Even more dramatic is the seasonality, which follows the classic pattern for camping. The peak months for family camping in moderate weather climates are typically in the summer when children are out of school and families are taking their summer vacations.

From discussions with the staff at both camps, it is clear that both Anthony Chabot and Del Valle are providing camping to more than just District residents. Both camps are currently available through ReserveAmerica.com, and as campground reservations nationwide have moved to the web, it has allowed travelers to create itineraries for themselves that include camping destinations and stop-overs that are operated by a wide variety of public and private providers. Essentially every weekend in July and August both camps have been full in recent years. Greater utilization has also been pushing into the shoulder seasons, especially September and October, that are typically good weather months in the Bay Area. It also appears that both parks, and especially Anthony Chabot, have become known among European travelers, and it is not unusual to find Europeans who have booked an RV tour of the western United States to plan a first or last night stay in a District campground as they fly in or out of San Francisco International Airport.

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Table 1-4: Campsites Sold by Month – Anthony Chabot Regional Park

1.2.2 Group Camps The dynamics of demand for group campsites share some similarities with family camping, but also have some major differences. Outdoor living is easier and more enjoyable in the warm and dry months, and like with family camping the demand for group camps is higher in these months, and lowest in the winter months. Organizing groups of people for outdoor overnight experiences tends to focus almost entirely on weekends, however, and in the East Bay there are few groups planning week-long stays, unlike families on summer vacations. The chart in Table 1-5 was developed during the District’s examination of group camping fee policies in 2009-10, and shows how dramatically group demand clusters on weekends, with by far the highest demand night being Saturday.

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Table 1-5: Percentage of Total Nights Spent 2009 and 2010 44% 50% 40% 33% 30% 20% 5% 4% 4% 6% 10% 3% 0% Total Percentage of 2009 and 2010 Total Nights Spent

Recognizing the weekend need for group camping, a new statistic was formulated for analyzing group camping demand, defined as the percentage rate of occupancy for just Saturday nights, and during a 7-month prime season defined as April 1st through October 31st. The utilization statistics for District group campsites for the year just concluded, 2013, are analyzed in Table 1-6, with the Saturday night occupancy statistic calculated for each in the last column.

The overall average occupancy of all group campsites combined was only 15 percent in 2013. Only three of the camps in Table 1-6 exceeded 100 nights used in 2013, which corresponds to a utilization of about 30 percent. But these broad statistics, which make utilization sound low, are not the best measures of demand for group sites. Measured by the Saturday night occupancy statistic, over a dozen of the sites are above 80 percent, with several at 97 percent (or 29 of the 30 prime season Saturdays in 2013). By this measure, many of the District’s group sites are at capacity.

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Table 1-6: Utilization of Group Campsites (2013)

A more graphic way of revealing the demand for group sites is presented in Table 1-7, with all sites arrayed in order of occupancy. Another way of looking at the same data is presented in Table 1-8, which shows how entire park complexes compare in the group demand they accommodate.

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Table 1-7: Group Camps’ Saturday Night Occupancy Rates (April-October, 2013)

Table 1-8: Saturday Night Occupancy Rates by Park Complex (April-October. 2013)

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1.2.3 Backpack Camps The dynamics of demand for backpack camps are yet again different from either family camps or group camps. There are essentially no week-long stays in the same place, and while Saturday nights are still in the highest demand of all, there is a fair amount of demand on other nights of the week as well. In Table 1-9, the same analysis has been applied to the 2013 data for backpack camp reservations. While the average annual visitation over all nights and locations would only be 10 percent, it can be seen that the more popular sites are occupied 50, 60 and even over 70 percent of the Saturday nights.

Table 1-9: Utilization of Backpack Campsites (2013)

A more graphic representation of backpacking demand is presented in Table 1-10, which leaves the majority of the District’s sites grouped into the Sunol Regional Wilderness. The most popular backpack camps are Eagle's Eyrie Backpack Camp and Stewart's Backpack Camp in Sunol, Stewartville Backpack Camp in the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, and Morgan Backpack Camp in the Morgan Territory Regional Preserve.

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Table 1-10: Backpack Camps’ Saturday Night Occupancy rates (April-October, 2013)

1.2.4 Equestrian Camps As indicated in Table 1-11, of the reservable overnight sites, the District’s horse camps have the lowest utilization, with only 8 percent annual average occupancy in 2013. As with the other camp types, however, the broad average is not the best measure. Looking at only Saturday nights in the 7-month prime season, Bort Meadow, that is a group camp, is occupied two-thirds of the time. It is designed and managed to accommodate both equestrian and non-equestrian groups so most of that use cannot be assigned to equestrians. Del Valle’s Caballo Loco, only used by equestrians, is reserved about one- third of the time.

Table 1-11: Utilization of Equestrian Group campsites (2013)

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1.2.5 Residential Camps The District is currently a partner in one residential camp, Camp Arroyo, for which the District provided the site on public land for camp development. The District’s private, non-profit partners in Camp Arroyo are TTFF, which has provided major funding for the development and operation of the camp, and the East Bay YMCA.

Camp Arroyo is utilized throughout the year, but is not used to its existing capacity. Different programs are housed at different times of the year, for example, with environmental education programs serving local public schools running during the school year, and TTFF programs running during the summer. The facility was designed to be as flexible as possible with hope of accommodating conferences, corporate retreats, and other user group types as well.

Camp Arroyo is somewhat challenged with the classic problems inherent in marketing and managing any group meeting facility. For some groups, the current design and capacity is too big. For others it is too small. In order to be financially self-sustaining on an operating basis, the camp would be occupied at close to its capacity; thus when a smaller group is allowed to use the facility it runs inefficiently during that period. The current design works well for a single group, but does not have sufficient redundancy in the main meeting and dining spaces to house multiple groups simultaneously. There is a larger master plan for the Camp Arroyo site, but it has not yet been built. Additional housing units could continue to accommodate some of the local school groups that are currently using the camp, but outgrowing it because they do not want to split their environmental education programs into multiple weekends. On the other hand, additional capacity will increase costs and exacerbate the problems of under- occupying the facility when smaller groups are in residence. Additional investment in redundant and more modular meeting and event spaces might allow more simultaneous use, but will also be expensive and may still not be attractive to groups seeking the exclusivity and focus provided by having the entire camp to themselves. As with any group facility, there is a balance to be struck between dedicated purpose and multi-use flexibility. In an attempt to be so flexible as to be useable by everyone, it is also possible to create a facility that is not particularly attractive to anyone.

1.2.6 Day Camps District facilities are heavily used as day camps run by a wide variety of public and private organizers.

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The District itself offers a variety of day camp programs during the summer months. These include:

• Park'N It Day Camp: that uses a wide variety of areas throughout the District. • Camps at Tilden Nature Area: emphasizing the Nature Center and Little Farm. • Open Water Junior Lifeguards: that occur at 5 of the 10 swimming facilities within the District. Other than programs run at Camp Arroyo by TTFF and the East Bay YMCA, examples of the most routine and well-established day camp programs include those run by the recreation departments of cities throughout the East Bay and many scouting groups, as well as private for-profit organizations. These tend to utilize reservable picnic sites that offer a combination of convenient location to the target audience, access via District- provided parking lots and public transit in many cases, picnic tables and other gathering/program spaces, restrooms and drinking fountains, and often an adjacent open field. Some also focus on pools, lakes or other specialized recreational facilities. The cities typically have professional recreation staff that interface with the District, have experience with the specific facilities, and have expectations that are aligned with what the District offers. As a result these programs tend to be very active, properly reserved, well-planned, and well-accommodated throughout the District.

District facilities, including some non-reservable, open-use facilities are also utilized by other private day camp operators that range from highly experienced non-profit groups to those that are well-intentioned but new at the process. For-profit entrepreneurial organizations also vary widely from well-organized operators such as Roughing It Day Camp to start-ups hoping to eke out a profit by providing “edutainment” to day camp participants. Some of these operators create unexpected burdens on District staff and facilities through overuse, avoidance of fees, and general poor event planning. Pop-up day camps can appear virtually anywhere unannounced, and the day camp phenomenon in general defies rigorous statistical analysis. Anecdotal evidence from District staff, however, clearly indicates that the demand trend for day camps is parallel to the overnight camping demand trends documented in some of the tables, and is generally increasing throughout the District.

Attachment D presents a listing of all reservable picnic areas within the District and their utilization during the summer months of 2013. During weekdays when day camps are typically operated, the areas that have attractive recreational amenities and are close

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to dense urban populations are experiencing especially increasing pressure from day camps. These specifically include: Crown Memorial State Beach; Roberts Regional Park; Temescal Regional Recreation Area; and Tilden Regional Park. Selected group picnic areas that are moderately used during the mid-week period include: Castle Rock Recreation Area; Garin Regional Park; Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area; and Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area.

1.3 Nearby State Parks with Camping Mount Diablo State Park is located roughly in the geographic center of the District. The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) provides many of the same type of camping facilities as does the District. The state park is also at a key overnight camping location for the regional trail system. Camps include:

• 5 primitive group camps with capacities ranging from 20 people to 50 people. • 2 family camps with 51 sites and a maximum vehicle length of 24 feet. Brannan Island State Recreation Area is located north of Antioch along the Sacramento River in a delta landscape. Reservable camps include:

• 6 group camps with capacities of 30 people each. • family camps with 1 cabin, 91 standard sites with a maximum vehicle length of 36 feet, 11 RV only sites, and 13 tent only sites. Table 1-12 presents visitation records for the two state park units. Generally, overall attendance and utilization has declined steadily over the past ten years. This is consistent with visitation throughout the majority of the state park system units (see Section 2.1.2 below).

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Table 1-12: Visitation at Nearby State Park Campsites (2002-2012)

(10years) YEAR TOTAL VISITATION CHANGE % (Annual) CHANGE % CAMPGROU USE ND CHANGE % (Annual) CHANGE % (10years) Mount Diablo State Park 2002-2003 425,934 10,463 2008-2009 303,309 18,620 2009 - 02010 295,691 -3% 13,787 -26% 2010 - 02011 251,324 -18% 6,897 -50% 2011 - 2012 287,724 13% -32% 9,541 28% -9% Brannan Island State Recreation Area 2002-2003 149,784 51,988 2008-2009 124,528 36,069 2009 - 02010 118,445 -5% 25,308 -43% 2010 - 02011 75,768 -36% 18,397 -38% 2011 - 02012 66,680 -14% -55% 12,249 -50% -76% Source: California State Park Statistical System Reports (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23308)

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2.0 T RENDS & P ERSPE CTIVE

The following overviews broad trends and perspectives that are applicable to the District’s camp facilities and program. These include national trends in camping, conversations with regional park and open space agency representatives that own and manage camps of various types, and comments provided through two focus group sessions and follow-up interviews conducted with public and private organizations that use the District’s system of camping opportunities. These also include the results of an on-line survey conducted by the District about the District’s camping program and facilities. 363 individual responses were received. The full results of that survey may be found in Attachment H.

Considerations are provided for how these trends and perspectives, when combined with the utilization of District camps presented in Chapter 1, may inform the evaluation of specific camping opportunities within the District.

2.1 National and Regional Trends 2.1.1 Demographic Shifts To provide the demographic context for planning for the future of camping within the District, an overview of population growth and shifts in its composition that should be expected, as well as a review of recent trends in the evolution of demand for camping experiences, are presented below.

National Americans’ participation in outdoor recreation activities has remained fairly constant over the last half dozen years, at about 50% according to studies conducted by the Outdoor Foundation, but due to population growth the total number of people active

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outdoors has continued to increase. The Outdoor Foundation studies have also found that national participation rates in camping have been declining slightly over the last half dozen or so years (16% in 2006 to 13% in 2012).

Nationwide population is expected to continue growing over today’s population, estimated by the United States Census Bureau to be just under 320 million. The Census Bureau projects the nation to grow to approximately 420 million by 2060, or by another 100 million residents. So while participation rates remain constant, the numbers of participants in camping will increase.

District (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) The California Department of Finance has prepared long-range population growth projections that show the San Francisco Bay Area growing over the 50 years from 2010 to 2060 by another 1.8 million new residents, led by Contra Costa County, which will gain about 533,000. With another 162,000 in the more built-out Alameda County, the District is expected to grow by almost 700,000 people by 2060 (see Table 2-1).

The ethnic and cultural composition of California’s population is expected to continue to shift as can be seen in Table 2-2, and statewide trends will be felt within the District as well between now and 2060. The ethnic segment of the population expected to grow most dramatically is Hispanic or Latino, adding over half a million people to the District’s population. The second fastest-growing population is expected to be people of Asian descent, adding over 175,000 new residents to the District.

Due to the size of the “baby boom” generation, the recent trend has been the increasing average age of the population, especially within slower-growing Alameda County. This is not a permanent state of affairs, however, and in the 2025 – 2040 period there is likely to be a resurgence of growth in families, especially in faster-growing Contra Costa County.

As can be seen on Table 2-3, some communities are relatively built out and are not expected to grow significantly according to projections developed by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). On the other hand, some smaller communities have room to grow, such as Brentwood, Oakley, Dublin and San Ramon. Some of the larger communities also have strong potential for higher density infill development, which is expected by ABAG to lead to significant growth in such established cities as Oakland, Fremont, Concord, and Richmond.

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Table 2-1: District Population: 50-Year Forecast, 2010 - 2060

Table 2-2: District and State Population Projections by Race/Ethnicity: 2010 - 2060

Numeric and Percent Change 2010 to 2060 by Race/Ethnicity Native Hawaiian and other Pacific American Islander, Multi-Race, Total (All White, not Black, not Indian, not Asian, not not not race Hispanic or Hispanic or Hispanic or Hispanic or Hispanic or Hispanic or Hispanic or State/County groups) Latino Latino Latino Latino Latino Latino Latino

Numeric California 15,384,201 632,975 78,885 22,214 2,248,546 79,726 11,231,239 1,090,616

Alameda 161,775 -153,824 -19,459 -743 76,597 2,725 186,244 70,235 Contra Costa 533,033 21,548 -6,793 29 101,376 9,026 368,276 39,570

Percent California 41% 4% 4% 14% 47% 61% 80% 119%

Alameda 11% -30% -10% -18% 19% 22% 54% 123% Contra Costa 51% 4% -7% 1% 68% 199% 144% 106%

Source: California Department of Finance.

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Table 2-3: Projected Population Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

2.1.2 Indicators of Broader Demand for Camping One of the broader indicators of the trend in demand for camping is the utilization of camps provided by State Parks. The trend over the last decade, measured in camping- based visitor attendance to all state parks is presented in Table 2-4. Over the most recent 10-year period for which statistics are available, the attendance in camping has gone down by about 12 percent, from 6.9 million to 6.1 million. On the other hand, the fluctuation from year to year over the past decade has been even more than 12 percent in some years, for example jumping by over a million campers per year in 2006 and 2007, and then dropping by similar amounts during the recession years of 2008 - 2010.

As with local camping, there are many factors that influence state and national camping trends, including the general health of the economy, fuel costs, price increases in camping fees, weather patterns, and state budget issues that have led to reduced services and even park closures. Some of these factors can also affect camping in

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countervailing ways. For example, a recession can cause some people to cancel plans for camping trips, but at the same time lead others to change plans from more exotic vacations to “staycations” that involve affordable camping closer to home.

Table 2-4: Trend in California State Parks Camping Visitor Attendance 2002 - 2012

Hidden within the total visitation trend for state parks camping are trends that can differ for types of camping experiences desired. Conversations with staff in the California State Parks Planning Division indicate three different trends by levels of camping:

• Backpacking and Environmental Camps – since the heydays in the 1970s, demand for this type of experience in the state parks is down. This is likely due to a combination of declining participation in this type of recreation in general and a shift in where this type of experience takes place more to wilderness areas and national parks.

• Car Camping, including use of Small RVs – the trend in demand for this type of camping appears to be relatively constant.

• Large RVs – The demand trend in state parks for large RV spaces is up. Today’s

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luxury “Type A” motorhome and fifth-wheel RVs are much larger than earlier models and often will not fit in existing sites in state parks that were developed decades ago.

2.1.3 Recreational Vehicles United States ownership of RVs has reached record levels.1 Of all United States vehicle-owning households, 8.5% own an RV – up from 8% in 2005. In all, there are now more than 9.2 million RVs (motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, truck campers and folding camping trailers) on the road, up 10% from 2005 and 68% since 1980.

A leading force in the upswing in RV ownership is the aging baby boomer market of consumers. However, research has also revealed that the 35-54 age group has surpassed the 55+ age group for the highest rate of ownership with the effect that the average age of an RV owner has fallen from 49 to 48.

2.1.4 Nature Deficit and the Definition of Underserved Relative to outdoor education, there is growing evidence that a majority of the population, and certainly children and young adults, is underserved. Over the last decade concerns have arisen in popular culture about trends in recreation participation in general, and the ways America’s youth spends its time as a specific subset. Academic studies have concluded that “nature-based” recreation appears to be declining somewhat in per capita terms. In the 2005 book Last Child in the Woods, author Richard Louv hypothesized a “nature deficit disorder” is growing in America’s youth. In the focus groups conducted for this Update, a number of participants brought up issues of young campers bringing electronic media devices with them to overnight camping experiences within the District. While it is beyond the scope of this study to address some of the controversies surrounding these concerns, it is clear that a consensus exists within the District’s constituency that these trends are real, and that part of the prescription is to have more opportunities for District residents, especially young people, to participate in nature-based recreation.

1 Dr. Richard Curtin, University of Michigan Recreation, RV Consumer Demographic Profiles commissioned by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, 2011.

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2.1.5 Family Camping, Convenience Camping, and Glamping As exemplified in Table 2-5 there is a spectrum of camping opportunities and related amenities that could be developed related to family camps.

While the development of new camping facilities within the State Park system has been hampered by a lack of budget resources, state parks has continued to monitor trends and plan for future investments. Surveys that State Park planners conducted in recent years indicate that nearly half of park visitors are interested in using camp shelters such as cabins, yurts and tent cabins. Camp shelters are a partially or fully enclosed structure that provides campers and hikers cover from weather and that does not contain plumbing fixtures or kitchen appliances. A few of these “alternative camping” facilities, as they are termed by State Parks, already exist in selected parks around the state. The original goal was to expand use of camps into the shoulder seasons. They have been performing differently in different climate zones of the state, however. In northern California the alternative camping cabins are often booked at near capacity during the summer and other traditional holiday vacation weekends, but are not particularly popular during rainy seasons. On the other hand, in southern California coastal cabins are at or near capacity year-round.

Spatially, convenience campers anticipate a somewhat greater degree of privacy than might be found in a normal campground stetting. For example, when the County of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department installed yurts in one of its existing camps, each yurt was allotted the area of three individual camps. Section 2.3 below elaborates about public agency experience to date with convenience camping.

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Table 2-5: Camping Spectrum of Opportunities GENERAL FAMILY CONVENIENCE GLAMPING CAMPING CAMPING (excluding RVs)

AMENITY SPECTRUM • general park setting • unique setting • unique setting • open air or tent shelter • variable views • visual privacy • variable views and • sense of visual privacy • panorama views privacy • all-weather shelter • all-weather shelter • picnic table and • optional heating stove • HVAC barbecue • bed frames and tables • full bedding, tables, • shared comfort station • mattress option carpets • picnic table and • electricity and barbecue communication • shared or dedicated features comfort station • dedicated comfort • communication station features • food on arrival • room service • lounge and restaurant • swimming pool / spa • other recreation amenities • organized outdoor programs

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2.1.6 Reservations There has been a trend nationwide for more and more public recreation providers to move their reservation systems to online access. While this is just another example of how the internet is changing people’s travel planning and buying habits, several public agencies around the Bay Area contacted in the course of this study mentioned that their move to an internet-based reservation system has made them more accessible to a wider customer base, and they have found users for their camps coming from more diverse geographic origins. For example, with online bookings even local camping providers can be found easily by international travelers. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this is true of the District’s family camps as well.

2.1.7 Hostelling and Hostels Hostelling has undergone a transformation over the last decade. Generally, the trend is related to serious quality convenience improvements in hostel amenities, such as Wi-Fi access. While still relatively inexpensive, the emphasis for new hostels is for readily accessible urban locations with facilities and management that understand that the young world traveler may likely be “flashpacking” . . . where more and more young and young-at-heart backpackers travel with just a little extra cash in the money belt, a laptop, and a smart phone.

Figure 2-1 presents the distribution of hostels operated under the auspices of Hosteling International within the Bay Area region. There are two scenarios. The first is a cluster of hostels in San Francisco. This reflects the urban model and direction of hostelling in general. The other precedent for hostels is in unique natural environments (e.g., coastal lighthouses) where subsidized affordable accommodations are desirable. Invariably, these hostels were developed in structures that already existed at the time a public park or open space agency acquired the properties. As a land use that had to be maintained by the public agency regardless, use of the structure as a hostel was a convenient match.

2.1.8 Regional Trails The regional trail system within the District has made great strides over the last 20 years in becoming a reality. This is particularly true for the San Francisco Bay Trail, the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Briones to Mount Diablo Trail and other long-distance trail connections that traverse the two-county District. New water trails, including the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail and the San Joaquin River Blueway, will in time

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see more requests for overnight shoreline camping. Overall trail use is growing as the nexus between trail-related recreation and public health becomes more evident. 2.2 Overview of Camping Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area With over seven million people, the San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most densely populated areas of the country, and supports one of the most vibrant economies in the world. In spite of that, there are significant swaths of relatively undeveloped natural areas in the greater Bay Area, and these create a variety of opportunities for overnight camping and related activities relatively close to the resident population.

The geographic area examined was slightly larger than the traditional nine-county definition of the Bay Area, and included facilities east of the District as far into the Central Valley as Interstate 5, and south into parts of San Benito County. An overview of the distribution of camping in the greater Bay Area is indicated by the locations of public family camps presented in Figure 2-2.

Table 2-6 presents a summary of overnight camping opportunities provided by other regional scale public agencies including counties, multi-county special districts, and the state and federal governments. The data are organized primarily by county, but with each public provider active within each county then presented separately. A few general observations include:

• California State Parks is one of the most significant providers of public camping in the greater Bay Area. • Much of the camping inventory in the greater Bay Area is in the coastal zone, which also contributes to the importance of State Parks as it controls many of the beaches and coastal redwood groves. This is especially true at locations in Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties. • At the county level, Sonoma County Parks is a significant provider of family camping, much of it in the coastal zone near State Park campgrounds. • At the county level, a case can be made that the most comparable public provider to the District is Santa Clara County Parks. Santa Clara, like Alameda and Contra Costa counties, is fortunate enough to have significant tracts of lands that are relatively undeveloped and natural in spite of having heavily urbanized areas as well, and yet do not share any of the California Pacific coastline. Also comparable to the District, Santa Clara County Parks currently provides between 200 and 300 family campsites, as well as group sites and other more specialized facilities. • The National Park Service is not a significant provider of family camping in the Bay Area, although it does provide a number of highly unique group and

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backpacking opportunities in Marin and San Francisco counties. • Federal agencies that control major reservoirs provide much more significant family camping than the National Park Service; e.g., the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa, and the Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Sonoma. These facilities have some comparability to Lake Del Valle. • A quick review of pricing reveals that District fee structures are entirely consistent with those found elsewhere in the greater Bay Area. • Family camping sites tend to range from $20 to $30 per night, but with premiums from $40 to $50 for sites with full RV utility hookups, or amenity sites in beach locations. • Group sites tend to range in price from $75 to $200 per night, although some smaller capacity sites are less expensive, and some specialized facilities such as off-road vehicle recreation areas, very large sites, and beach locations can be over $300.

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E.B.R.P.D. Black Diamond Mines 1 1 $75-$175/night $5/person/night Briones 3 1 $75-$175/night $200/night Las Trampas 1 $75/night Morgan Territory 1 1 $75-$175/night $5/person/night Point Pinole 1 $75-$175/night Round Valley 1 1 $75-$175/night $5/person/night Tilden 3 1 $75-$175/night $120/night California State Parks Mt. Diablo 7 64 $65-$165/night $30/night SANTA CLARA COUNTY Santa Clara County Parks Ed R. Levin 1 Yes $24/vehicle Coyote Lake/Harvey Bear 1 74 $192-$240/night $24-30/night Mount Madonna 6 118 Yes $216-$450/night $24-30/night $60, $75, & $90 /night Sanborn Park 1 33 $24/vehicle $24-30/night Uvas Canyon 1 25 $24/vehicle $24-30/night

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Table 2-6: Overview of Public Agency Camping Opportunities in the Region LOCATION BY COUNTY Camping Provider Presence of Sites of Each Type Notes on Standard In-Season Pricing Name of Major Use Area (With Number of Specific Sites if Relevant) Group Family Horse Backpack Cabins Group Sites Family Sites Horse Backpack Cabins / Sites Sites Camps Sites / Yurts Camps Sites Yurts Joseph D. Grant 2 40 Yes $24/vehicle $24-30/night Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Monte Bello Backpack Yes Yes $2/person/night $2/person/night Camp Santa Clara Co. O.S. Authority None California State Parks Henry W. Coe Yes 20 Yes $75/night $20/night primitive primitive SAN MATEO COUNTY San Mateo County Parks Coyote Point RV Camp 3 $45/night RVs only Memorial Park Yes 158 $175/night $30/tent, $35- 40/RV Huddart Park Yes $175/night Sam McDonald Park Yes Yes Yes $175/night $125-$275/n. $20- 30/person/n. California State Parks (Sierra Club Hut) Butano 39 $35/night Half Moon Bay Yes 55 Yes $165/night $35-50/night $7/person walk- in Portola Redwoods Yes 52 $165-$335/night $35/night SAN FRANCISCO CITY AND COUNTY San Francisco Presidio Rob Hill Campground 4 $125/night MARIN COUNTY COUNTY Marin Co. Parks/Open Sp. Dist. Environmental Camp Yes National Park Service

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Table 2-6: Overview of Public Agency Camping Opportunities in the Region LOCATION BY COUNTY Camping Provider Presence of Sites of Each Type Notes on Standard In-Season Pricing Name of Major Use Area (With Number of Specific Sites if Relevant) Group Family Horse Backpack Cabins Group Sites Family Sites Horse Backpack Cabins / Sites Sites Camps Sites / Yurts Camps Sites Yurts GGNRA-Marin Headlands Yes $25/night Point Reyes NS Yes Yes Yes $40-$50/night $17.50/person $20/night California State Parks China Camp 30 $35/night Samuel P Taylor Yes 61 Yes Yes $50-$225/night $35/night $100/night $7/person walk- in Mt. Tamalpais Yes 23 Yes Yes $75-$225/night $25/night walk- $75/night $100/night in Angel Island Yes 9 Yes $30/night $30/night $50/night kayak SONOMA COUNTY Sonoma County Regional Parks Doran Regional Park Yes 125 Yes $150/night $32/night $5/night/person Gualala Point Regional 24 Yes $32/night $5/night/person Hood Mountain Park 2 $32/night Spring Lake Regional Yes 30 $200/night $32/night Stillwater Cove Regional 21 Yes $32/night $5/night/person Westside Regional 47 $32/night California State Parks Austin Creek/Bullfrog Pond 24 Yes $25/night $25/night Fort Ross 20 $25/night Salt Point Yes 109 $200/night $35/night $25/night walk- in Sonoma Coast 158 $35-45/night $5/night/person Sugarloaf Ridge Yes 50 $165/night $35/night US Army Corps of Engineers Lake Sonoma Yes 107 Yes $56/night $14-$56/night NAPA COUNTY Napa Co. Reg. Park & O.S.D. Bothe-Napa Valley SP Yes 34 Yes $100/night $35/night $3/walk-in $75/night Bureau of Reclamation

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Table 2-6: Overview of Public Agency Camping Opportunities in the Region LOCATION BY COUNTY Camping Provider Presence of Sites of Each Type Notes on Standard In-Season Pricing Name of Major Use Area (With Number of Specific Sites if Relevant) Group Family Horse Backpack Cabins Group Sites Family Sites Horse Backpack Cabins / Sites Sites Camps Sites / Yurts Camps Sites Yurts Lake Berryessa 330 $34-40/night SOLANO COUNTY Solano County Parks Sandy Beach 42 $75/night $21-$35/night Lake Solano Yes 58 $75/night $21-$35/night SAN BENITO COUNTY California State Parks Hollister Hills SVRA Yes 125 $250/night $10/night SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Santa Cruz Co. DPW, Parks Does not provide camping California State Parks Big Basin Yes 145 Yes Yes $270 & $35/night $79/night $335/night Castle Rock Yes $15/night Forest of Nisene Marks Yes Henry Cowell Redwoods Yes 111 Yes $35/night $7/person Manresa State Beach 64 $35/night New Brighton State Beach Yes 112 $185/night $35-$50/night Seacliff State Beach 40 $55-$65/night Sunset State Beach Yes 90 $335/night $35/night SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY San Joaquin Co. Parks Dos Reis 26 $25/night Westgate Landing 14 $20/night STANISLAUS COUNTY Stanislaus Co. Parks Frank Raines Regional Yes 34 $15-$25/night OHV SACRAMENTO COUNTY California State Parks

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2.3 Best Practices 2.3.1 General Evolution of Best Practices Best practices, when applied to camping program management, have not dramatically changed over the past twenty years. The most significant change has been related to communications and using the internet to inform the general public of what camping opportunities exist and in making campground reservations. Internet tools are now employed individually by virtually all regional recreation providers. From the user’s experience, what is missing when deciding to go camping is a single source web site that provides a broader perspective of nearby opportunities rather than any one agency’s offerings.

Changes in best practices also include how site planning and facility design of camps, indeed of any type of park development, takes into consideration surrounding landscape dynamics. Specifically these include best practices for:

• water quality management to reflect the latest regional regulations.

• vegetation management to reduce fuel load and wildfire risk.

• emergency response and evacuation considerations.

Effective November 25, 2013 the United States Access Board issued the Final Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas under the Architectural Barriers Act. These guidelines include minimum requirements for all types of camps. These guidelines specifically apply to areas developed for recreational purposes by federal agencies or on federal lands. While these guidelines have been in draft form for many years, they have been effectively adopted through application by many regional and local agencies.

2.3.2 Best Practices Specific to Family Campgrounds While statewide trends have included increased demand for large RV campsites and declining demand for remote backpacking and environmental campsites, the demand for traditional family car camping sites accommodating tents and small RVs has remained relatively constant. However, public agencies in the Bay Area providing campgrounds have found that while demand levels in the aggregate may be constant, the way people camp has changed. In the 1950s and 1960s when many of the Bay Area’s campgrounds were first built, demand was dominated by small nuclear family groups in a single site, along with the occasional Boy Scout troop or other large well-

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organized group that wanted a site for 50, 75, or 100 people at a time. Today the demand within a traditional campground is much more social with multiple families or groups of friends wanting to camp together, with their sites in proximity to each other. This trend has also held true in other parts of the state as confirmed by State Parks’ experience. Bay Area peer agencies explain one of the drivers of this demand for camping in groups is the evolving demographic composition of the market, noting that Hispanic and Asian cultures seem to prefer group experiences, although they are quick to point out that the shift to camping in larger groups is occurring across all ethnic segments.

The primary enabler for this shift in style of camping, and also the primary best practice for accommodating it, are one and the same: the growth of a more sophisticated reservation system. At a time when campgrounds assigned sites to campers only when they arrived at the gate, it was difficult for multiple family or friend units to cluster campsites together. Agencies that have moved to systems that allow the advance reservation of specific sites have created the ability for self-organizing “mini- groups” of 20 to 25 people to book multiple contiguous sites for the same time periods.

Because there has been little development of entirely new family campgrounds in the Bay Area over the last several decades, most of the shift to group camping demand has been accommodated largely within the structure of campgrounds laid out and developed many years ago. A best practice suggested by peer agencies is to reexamine at the layout of existing campgrounds and see where loops might be more conducive to use by mini-groups, and direct them to those areas. State Parks in the Bay Area, for example, has been accommodating mini-groups this way at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Over time, physical improvements and upgrades could enhance the ability of people to gather in these areas of the campground. For example, a space in the center of a loop could be developed with a shared fire ring or other common feature that encourages co-mingling of people from multiple adjacent campsites.

In the case of development of an entirely new campground, or even a significant addition to an existing campground, a design consideration will be how to best create the kind of flexibility that will allow sets of adjacent campsites to be clustered to accommodate larger groups, yet still function well at other times as individual camping units.

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2.3.3 Best Practices Specific to Convenience Camping Units As was seen in Table 2-6 above, there are only about a half dozen campgrounds in the Bay Area that currently have cabin or yurt type convenience camping options (and in some of those cases there is only a single cabin available). These facilities were discussed with all of their operators, and then the research was expanded to discuss similar units elsewhere in California in order to form a larger perspective on best practices for installing and operating convenience camping options. The types of structures represented include:

• Yurts,

• Tent cabins,

• Hard walled rustic cabins with no utilities and few amenities,

• Hard walled cabins with some utilities,

• Park units of prefabricated housing components with some interior amenities, and

• RV or trailer home type units repurposed as semi-permanent cabins.

The economics of cabins and yurts on public lands closely parallel the economics of private recreational real estate development. The three most important factors are location, location, and location. In California the highest valued real estate is a unit on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where the user can see crashing waves from the unit, and can walk down to the beach without having to cross a road. In the private real estate market the exact same type of unit located across the street inland, but lacking the views and access, may be worth only a tenth as much.

The analogous unit type in the Bay Area is represented by the ten rustic cabins at Steep Ravine in Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Campers in these units must carry in their own sleeping pads and bags to use on a wooden platform, along with stove, lanterns, coolers and other tent camping gear; yet with a hard sided cabin, ocean-facing windows and a wood-burning stove for heat, these ocean-front cabins are routinely booked 365 days per year. The drama of ocean views and a snug cabin make this an experience that transcends the weather outside.

The opposite is true of virtually every other inland convenience camping installation in

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the Bay Area, in that people will use the cabins or yurts in traditional camping seasons, but in seasons where the weather is expected to be less pleasant, they will not reserve or use the units. In these locations, the experience desired is derived from the larger environment outside, and the unit is only a way to conveniently be there.

Peer agencies in the Bay Area report at least three motivations for getting into the business of offering convenience camping units. Some have been more successful than others. The three goals may be evaluated as:

1. Expand the market being served – by offering a convenience unit the essence of a camping experience is available to several new segments of the population, for example: people new to camping who don’t have a tent or much other equipment, experienced senior campers who now find they need a little more convenience than setting up a tent and sleeping on the ground, people with a variety of mobility problems that make traditional tent camping difficult, among others. Convenience camping units have been quite successful at enhancing an agency’s customer service by serving these additional constituents and have led to high occupancies of units in season.

2. Expand occupancies into the shoulder seasons – by offering ready-made shelter year round. Operators of convenience camping units by State Parks in the Bay Area and by Santa Clara County Parks report only very limited success with this goal. For the most part, people want to camp for the full experience of all the outdoor recreational activities to which a camping location provides access, not just the experience of being in their unit; thus they will not be induced to camp in shoulder or off seasons. In addition, while some cabin type units can be heated in the winter or air conditioned in the summer, tent cabins and yurts tend to be really hot when the weather is hot, and feel cold and clammy during winter rainy periods. With all that said, State Parks has estimated a small, perhaps 5%, bump up in shoulder season occupancies where convenience camping has been installed, and the operator of the cabins in Big Basin State Park reports that they have become popular during the Christmas holiday week.

3. Generate Revenue – by creating units that can command a higher nightly rental fee. A convenience unit definitely generates more revenue per night

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occupied, and given even the small increases in occupancy described above for an average location, the combination is significantly more revenue generation than for a traditional campsite or even an RV site with full utilities. On the other hand, expected revenue increases must be analyzed along with the costs that will be associated with it, including: the costs of buying and installing the unit, the lifespan of the unit, and the costs of operating and maintaining the unit over the long run. In addition, a convenience camping unit may take up more space in a campground; in Santa Clara County Parks’ case each yurt took up the space of three campsites.

For the long-term operating and maintenance (O&M) costs, there are also issues of the business model employed, critical mass in how many units are being developed, and the level of service provided. The District is currently operating and maintaining its two family camps with in-house staff. Santa Clara County has taken on O&M duties for its initial experiment with 5 yurts using in-house staff. State Parks in the Bay Area is operating and maintaining cabins at Samuel P. Taylor State Park using in-house staff, but has shifted O&M at Bothe Napa State Park with its new and growing yurt colony to a Napa County agency, and is in partnership with a concessionaire for the 35 cabins at Big Basin State Park.

To attract a private concessionaire, a critical mass of at least 20 convenience camping units would have to be developed, and preferably with the ability to add significantly more as the market matures. If only a few units are contemplated, it will be necessary to handle O&M in-house, which could place an unfamiliar burden on staff. Units should also be clustered fairly close together in any case, to make ongoing maintenance more efficient.

Bay Area best practices suggest that for most inland and valley locations, convenience units should contain minimal amenities, keeping O&M costs down and in proportion to what premiums the convenience units in those locations can command. In extraordinary locations elsewhere in California, such as coastal sites with stunning views or immediate beach access, a resort-level of amenities, “glamping,” has in a few instances proven to be feasible. Examples of California glamping resorts may be found along the coasts in Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and San Diego County. Although the District has no locations along the Pacific coast, it is possible there may be some

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lakefront, bayfront, or riverfront locations that could command a higher pricing and support a higher level of services associated with yurts or cabins.

The review of Bay Area best practices also looked into likely future investments and experiments with convenience camping. Upcoming additions to the Bay Area camping offering may include:

• As operator of Bothe Napa State Park, Napa County is looking into additional units as convenient access to the Napa Valley wine country.

• State Parks is planning to introduce some type of cabins or other convenience units on Angel Island in the near future.

• At Henry Coe, State Parks is considering rustic hard sided cabins deep in the backcountry to encourage use and provide a destination for backpackers.

• State Parks and private concessionaires have been considering floating convenience camping at some recreational lakes where campers kayak or motorboat into their units.

2.3.4 Best Practices Specific to Group Camps In discussing best practices in focus group sessions with District campground user agencies and organizations, one specific campground was cited as a potential model for public-private partnerships in operating a campground in an urban environment, the Rob Hill campground in the Presidio, the only camping facility in San Francisco. Its design consists of 4 small group campsites. While it is operated by the Presidio Trust, two of the campsites are reserved for general public use, while the other two are reserved exclusively for use by the Camping at the Presidio (CAP) Program that provides leadership training and, through partnerships with community organizations and schools, a camping experience for youth who traditionally have not visited national parks.

2.3.5 Best Practices Specific to Residential Camps In addition to Camp Arroyo in the District’s jurisdiction, there are a number of other residential camp locations around the Bay Area that offer environmental education and outdoor education in partnership with county offices of education, the YMCA, and other non-profit organizations. Examples include:

• Golden Gate Headlands Fort Cronkhite / Nature Bridge

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• Walker Creek Ranch / Marin County Office of Education / Tomales Bay

• Camp Jones Gulch / YMCA of San Francisco / San Mateo County Office of Education / La Honda

• Camp St. Francis / Camp SEA Lab / CSUMB / Santa Cruz

• Monterey Bay Academy / Camp SEA Lab / CSUMB / Watsonville

• Westminster Woods Camp / Sonoma County / Occidental

• Hidden Villa / Los Altos Hills

• Camp Loma Mar YMCA of the East Bay / Loma Mar / San Mateo County

• Camp Campbell Outdoor Science School / YMCA of Silicon Valley/ Boulder Creek

While each residential camp is unique, in mix of program offerings as well as setting, they each have some comparability and some competitiveness with the District’s Camp Arroyo. A key feature is that they tend to offer outdoor environmental education to school groups composed of 3- to 5-day overnight programs during the school year as part of their mission. Most also have an even wider variety of summer programs, and most are available for retreats, events and private groups.

Discussions with Bay Area non-profit groups that operate these types of residential camps indicate several current conditions and best practices relevant for the future of more residential camps within the District. For one, these types of camps must remain highly occupied during available dates and with groups that come close to filling available capacity in order to be financially solvent. This is in part because of a very cost conscious market in which to be operating, and the model only works if the programs can be available to the broadest possible market. Raising scholarship funding for low-income participants is a crucial part of every program.

At some level, all of the Bay Area residential camps are competing for school groups and others to keep their facilities filled. While some have high occupancies such as Nature Bridge, which enjoys a spectacular coastal setting within a national park, it also have to run like a business. It does extensive marketing and reports that “nobody is turning away school groups.” In an economic sense, there is currently no unmet pent- up demand for environmental education in the Bay Area that can’t be satisfied by some

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combination of existing residential camps, but of course there is a portion of the population that struggles to find sufficient resources to participate in this type of outdoor environmental education. There is always an unmet need for more subsidies for participants and programs to assist low-income families.

In terms of best practices, operators report that it is virtually impossible for their earned revenues net of operating costs to cover the costs of new capital facilities. Most of the camps in the Bay Area have been in place for decades, and investment in dormitories, meeting rooms, and other facilities has occurred over a long period of time and is mostly amortized at this point. Nature Bridge points out that most of its locations were only possible because it was able to take over former military barracks or former Civilian Conservation Corps camps and repurpose them for youth programs.

2.4 Implications for the Review of Camping Program Opportunities Ways in which camping trends and the utilization of District camps might be considered in evaluating opportunities for new or revitalized District facilities are provided below.

2.4.1 General • There is some evidence that the demand for camping experiences on a per capita basis could be declining in the American population. On the other hand, continuing population pressure can create a demand for more camping opportunities, even in the face of declining recreation participation rates. • There is evidence that recreational preferences of youth are shifting more to electronic media and away from outdoor active recreation. On the other hand, there is sentiment that this trend should be actively countered by providing more and better opportunities for outdoor recreation, including overnight and day camping, because society benefits from a population with better physical and mental health. • Strong population growth forecasts in the District’s service area suggest that the demand for camping experiences of all types should grow. Recent District experience is that there has indeed been a trend of increasing demand for its facilities. • The idea of convenience camping is not limited to providing all-weather facilities for campers in family camps. Convenience can be related basic services including nearby parking, ready access to potable water, clean modern restrooms, and shade structures where trees do not exist.

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2.4.2 Family Camps • Camping demand supports the development of new family camps that include a variety of developed camp styles; they would be used well into the future. • For the foreseeable future, development of all-weather “convenience camping” facilities (yurts / cabins) should be considered. However, the additional costs that may be associated with maintenance and life-cycle replacement should be considered in relation to revenue potential from enhanced camping fees. • While existing District family camps do have “walk-in” facilities, and both the family camps at Anthony Chabot and Del Valle hold back some spaces for drop-in use, there are no designated “walk-in / bike-in” areas that could be used at the last minute.

2.4.3 Group Camps • Using the key metric of Saturday night occupancy in the prime season, the majority of group sites in the major established park complexes (e.g., Anthony Chabot, Del Valle, Tilden) are at capacity. • Some of the sites in more isolated locations still have significant weekend availability (e.g., Round Valley, Point Pinole, Arroyo Flats, Star Mine). One strategy would be to direct users unable to secure the dates they want to these locations. • Given the demand for group camping in the District, careful consideration should also be given to adding new group camp sites in locations that can provide an appropriate natural setting for a reasonable cost.

2.4.4 Backpack Camps • To date, the District’s backpack camps emphasize hiking trails, with the majority of them in the Sunol Regional Wilderness. These overnight facilities help create the opportunity for multi-day hiking/backpacking experiences close to home in the East Bay. Although not quite as utilized as group camps on weekends during the prime season (April through October), they are still popular and heavily used. Where through trails create opportunities for multi- day hiking, development of additional backpacking sites in strategic locations along the regional trail system also appears appropriate from current use patterns. • Water trails are also growing in popularity in the Bay Area, along with the interest in kayaks and other human-powered watercraft. It would be desirable to facilitate multi-day experiences along these water trails by also developing new “backpacking” campsites along the shoreline, where appropriate. These sites would also encourage use of the San Francisco Bay Trail. • Other public agencies providing camping in the Bay Area have also seen growing interest in backpacking where opportunities exist to experience undeveloped natural environments. For example, Sonoma County Regional Parks has experienced increasing use of its few environmental backcountry camps and is planning to provide more backpacking camp locations. Sonoma

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County has also discussed developing a “hut to hut” system based on yurts or tent cabins, although it is not moving forward with this concept at this time.

2.4.5 Equestrian Camps • Based on the review of utilization statistics, there does not appear to be a demonstrated need for additional equestrian “base” camps at this time. • Rather than developing whole new equestrian camps, facilities at existing equestrian camps could be enhanced, particularly restrooms and hitching posts/corrals. • Focus group respondents also noted that equestrian user groups are often much smaller than the rated capacities of the existing equestrian group camps, and as a result do not book sites because they find them too expensive. One strategy suggested would be to make existing sites more “modular” which would allow two or more groups to share an existing site simultaneously. Another strategy would be to allow a smaller group to occupy an entire equestrian site at a lower cost, perhaps by only being able to book the site at the last minute if it would otherwise go unoccupied. • New remote equestrian camps could be identified along the regional trail system to facilitate overnight rides by individuals and groups. Where feasible, these should be coordinated with backpack camp locations.

2.4.6 Hostels • The primary demand for hostels is in urban locations accessible by public transportation. The goal is to provide affordable accommodations in very expensive urban areas, and there may be no District locations where such a facility is feasible. • If in future acquisitions, the District were to find itself in a situation that requires the reuse of an existing structure, a hostel could be considered.

2.4.7 Residential Camps • The existing residential camp within the District, Camp Arroyo, has to market constantly in an attempt to keep its dates occupied and its beds filled. Even so there is capacity remaining at various times throughout the year. The final phase in the Camp Arroyo master plan has yet to be constructed. One strategy would be to continue to concentrate effort and investment at this location until Camp Arroyo has met its full potential, before partnering on any new residential camp that would duplicate services provided by Camp Arroyo. • The location, size, and facilities to be incorporated into any new proposed residential camp in the District will be largely directed by the programs suggested by a partner entity proposing to develop and operate such a camp. To the extent a partner emerges that is proposing a residential camp that would not compete directly with Camp Arroyo, the District could facilitate a site search within its inventory of available lands. • The cost of participation is a huge limiting factor in offering outdoor education

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and environmental education to school groups, disadvantaged populations, and others. One of the ways existing residential camps have managed to be successful in other locations is by avoiding high development costs for their campuses in the first place, often by reusing existing former military or educational campuses. If in future acquisitions, the District were to find itself in a situation where it takes ownership of a suitable complex of buildings and facilities, the District could solicit appropriate partners to design and operate programs in a residential camp format.

2.4.8 Day Camps • There is a distinction to be drawn between the “landlord” who provides the physical space and the partner organization (e.g., a city recreation department or non-profit group) that is conducting programs, which may have such socially beneficial objectives such as targeting disadvantaged youth, providing environmental education, subsidizing transportation, and the like. For the most part, the District’s role is to provide an appropriate nature-based environment with appropriate support facilities for these day use programs to take place. As demand grows, more sites could be added in strategic locations, but more utilization by user groups can also be gained using reservation and rule enforcement systems at existing picnic areas and other sites.

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D ISTRICT C AMPING O PPORTUNITIES 3.0

Photo: David Weintraub 3.1 Overnight Camping Opportunities Table 3-1 lists, by camp type, opportunities identified for evaluation by the Project Team and Unit Managers to continue expanding and enhancing the District’s camping program. These include forty-two different campsite opportunities within twenty-eight units of the District. These existing and potential opportunity sites for the differing types of camps are illustrated in the following:

• Figure 3.1: Family and Residential Camps • Figure 3.2: Group Camps • Figure 3.3: Backpack and Water Trail Camps

Table 3-1: Camping Opportunities CAMP TYPE

PARK Trail Family Group Backpack Water Equestrian Residential Anthony Chabot u u Ardenwood Historic Farm u Bay Point u Big Break u Bishop Ranch u Black Diamond Mines u Briones – Coyote Canyon u Briones – Homestead u u Brushy Peak u Carquinez Strait – Eckley u u Carquinez Strait – Brickyard u u u Carquinez Strait – Shepard Canyon u Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills u Clayton Ranch u

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Table 3-1: Camping Opportunities CAMP TYPE

PARK Trail Family Group Backpack Water Equestrian Residential Concord Area (former Naval Weapons Station) u u Coyote Hill – Dumbarton Quarry u Crocket Hills – Black Ranch Valley u Delta Access u u u Del Valle u Diablo Foothills – Castle Oaks u Dry Creek Pioneer – Blacks Creek u Dublin Hills u Garin – Old Corral u Garin – Palomares u Lake Chabot – Fairmont Ridge u Las Trampas – Corral u Las Trampas – Devils Hole u u Las Trampas – Hunsaker Canyon u u Mission Peak – McClure Home Site u Morgan Territory – Jensen u Pleasanton Ridge - Sinbad Creek u Pleasanton Ridge - Aquila u Sibley Volcanic Preserve - McCosker Site u u u Sunol/Ohlone – Valley Floor u Sunol/Ohlone – Telles and Fritz Cabin Sites u Tilden – Nimitz Way u Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot / North Plateau u u Camp Area Wildcat Canyon – Nimitz Way u Wildcat Canyon – Old Fowler Barn u

3.2 Opportunity Evaluation Criteria Table 3-2 below lists is a set of criteria for evaluating new expanded camping opportunities. These criteria were based on meetings with the District’s Project Team and Unit Managers, and Focus Group participants. Also considered are the District’s goals and policies for camping as outlined in the District 2013 Master Plan and the District 2005 Camping Guidelines.

Other than the availability of potable water, these criteria do not address the types of facilities that might be provided at an individual campsite but rather the suitability of the location within the region and the candidate site for camping.

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Table 3-2: Opportunity Evaluation Criteria REGIONAL DESCRIPTION CRITERIA District-wide Will the camp, in combination with its setting, appeal to broad user groups (e.g., Appeal youth, family, recreation groups, school groups) from throughout the District? Significance of Will the camp or specific facilities represent a strong sense of place or one-of-a- Place kind camping experience (or nearly so) within the District or region? Relationship to How does the camp relate to the District’s existing and planned trail network in Trail Network a way that would encourage use, particularly along identified “long route” trails that could be marketed by the District to encourage camping? Vehicular Access* Is the camp (or trailhead for wilderness trails) within a 1/2-hour or less drive from more than one city? Additional access considerations would include: is the camp accessed directly from the main transportation routes within the District (e.g., from the freeway / arterial roadway system)? Is the camp accessible via public transportation? Are access routes difficult to navigate or limited in their design (e.g. steep, tight curves)? Demand Does the camp accommodate the long term (i.e., more than 20 years) outdoor recreation needs of District residents? Does the camp respond to existing demonstrated demand for new and/or expanded facilities? Geographic Will the camp location assist the District in providing equitable opportunities Distribution for all residents of the District? AREA CRITERIA DESCRIPTION Location, Scale, Does the location and size accommodate the intended use and emphasize a and Sense of natural setting in terms of being separated from the direct sights and sounds of Remoteness the urban environment while providing a variety of outdoor recreation and educational experiences? Climate Due to its location, will the season of use be reduced or the camp require additional facilities to accommodate use during the summer months? Be closed in winter months? Multiple Use Can the camp be configured to accommodate a variety of use dynamics (individual/families, group size, user types)? Natural and Will the camp development and use be consistent with the general resource Cultural Resources management goals of the District? Surrounding Will a new or expanded camp displace existing facilities or conflict with current Features use patterns? Potable Water Can potable water be reasonably provided at the camp? Operational Access Are camp facilities able to be accessed easily for service and safety purposes? ADA Compliance Can camp development easily accommodate the latest accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation areas?

* Vehicular accessibility is key to relatively urban camps for youth from under-served communities and a goal of providing “transitional camping” experiences. Highly accessible camps in an urban setting may or may not have a sense of remoteness.

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Attachment C lists the features that represent an “ideal” for individual camp types. Landscape setting, natural resource constraints, development feasibility, benefits of providing variety in camping experiences, and site management considerations will determine the appropriate facilities at each camp on a case-by-case basis.

3.3 Camp Opportunities 3.3.1 Family Camps Figure 3-1 illustrates the locations of areas evaluated for family camps. Table 3-3 summarizes the relationship between the criteria and potential new or expanded family campgrounds. These opportunities as well as conversion of existing camps with convenience camping facilities are further summarized below.

Table 3-3: New or Expanded Family Camp Opportunities LOCATION CRITERIA

and Cultural Cultural and wide Appeal wide

Sunol Regional v n n n n v n n n v n n v v Wilderness n Beneficial relationship o Negative relationship v Neutral relationship ? Unknown at this time

Anthony Chabot Regional Park: There are currently 75 camping sites of various types at the campground. The adopted Land Use Development Plan identifies the potential for 120 sites. These would most likely occur as an extension down the ridgelines from the existing road system. Current demand, based on documented

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use, would support expansion.

While the opportunity exists for expansion, there are considerable constraints to doing so, particularly related to public safety. There are three contributing factors:

• The entire campground is located within a mature eucalyptus forest. • The existing water and wastewater infrastructure system is 30 or more years old and is operating at or beyond capacity. • Operationally, access through the existing camp is via what is essentially a one-lane road network, making emergency access and egress potentially challenging. The camp road network is also not designed to accommodate large RVs. The opportunity for redesigning selected campsites at Anthony Chabot Regional Park for development with convenience camping facilities is high. Also the opportunity to cluster existing sites for large “family” type group reservations is high.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Brickyard Site: The former brick factory site is located in an east-facing valley setting that opens onto the Carquinez Strait looking toward the City of Benicia. It is situated at the terminus of Carquinez Scenic Drive. There are approximately 13 to 16 developable acres at the site. The opportunity for developing this site as

Photo: Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Brickyard Site (source: a full-service family camp is significant for the GoogleEarth) following reasons:

• Given its size, there is flexibility in site planning and design for all types of overnight camping, including a forested canyon setting uphill from Carquinez Scenic Drive that could accommodate convenience camping sites. • Location on the San Francisco Bay Trail segment now under construction that will connect the site with the City of Martinez. • Shoreline location and a potential camp for the Bay Water Trail. • A valley orientation that likely shelters it from the prevalent winds of the Carquinez Strait. • Ample electrical and water supply developed as part of the previous land use.

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• On-site wastewater treatment potential with ample leach field opportunities in the lower portions of the valley near the railroad tracks and between the railroad tracks and the shoreline with appropriate setbacks for water quality considerations. Constraints that would limit use include:

• Carquinez Scenic Drive is a two-lane road with relatively tight radius curves. This would limit the length of RVs that could safely travel over the road. Costs of improving the road to accommodate larger RVs would be prohibitive. • Noise and safety hazards associated with Union Pacific railroad line that is used 24 hours a day, with particular use by freight trains at night.

Coyote Hills Regional Park- Dumbarton Quarry: The development of the reclaimed quarry site as a family campground will provide a new opportunity for District residents and visitors to enjoy a setting on San Francisco Bay, where there are few such opportunities in the Bay Area. Its opportunities are significant as it will be part of the Coyote Hills Regional Park, is adjacent to the the San Francisco Bay

National Wildlife Refuge, is on the San Photo: Dumbarton Quarry Camp Concept Plan (source: EBRPD) Francisco Bay Trail, and is easily

accessible to millions of people. The constraints of the site are that it is located on a reclaimed quarry area. It will be a long-term endeavor to reclaim the property to a naturalistic setting involving years of truck traffic to fill the quarried area followed by years to revegetate the landscape given soil and wind conditions that are challenging.

Del Valle Regional Park: The opportunity for redesigning selected campsites at Del Valle Regional Park for convenience camping facilities is low. The existing campsites that would appeal to convenience campers are located in the floodplain of Arroyo Valle. However, based on the use dynamics that occurs at the Park, the opportunity to cluster existing sites to accommodate large “family” type group reservations is high.

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Delta Access Regional Recreation Area: This 276-acre site is principally constrained by the weather that accompanies a delta setting; hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Additionally potential costs of water and sanitary infrastructure may be relatively expensive.

The opportunities of developing a portion of the site as a full-feature family camp, are particularly significant for the following

Photo: Delta Access Regional Recreation Area (source: GoogleEarth) reasons:

• Its key geographic location in providing equitable family camping opportunities for all residents of the District. • It is accessible such that all sizes of RVs could be accommodated. • Boating access to the Delta waterway system could easily be developed with the site providing a non-motorized boat-in camp for the San Joaquin River Blueway. • A potential for other development that would benefit family camping including: developed group camps; interior water bodies for swimming; and use by day camps. Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve – McCosker Site: This site is located off Pinehurst Road near the top of the San Leandro Creek watershed. With the exception of visual presence of major transmission lines, the site provides a strong sense of remoteness. It was previously used as a construction company site. The site is composed of two settings that may be developable for limited family camping: an approximately 4-acre linear valley and an approximately 1.5-acre terraced open hillside Photo: Robert Sibley Volcanic Preserve – McCosker Site (source: area with a metal storage building. GoogleEarth)

Approximately 1,800 feet of creek that runs along the valley has been culverted and that system is now failing. Day-lighting and restoring the creek will be a costly

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endeavor no matter what use is ultimately determined for the site. A current feasibility study focusing on creek restoration will determine how accessible the property will be to vehicular traffic. However, the constraints for use as a family campground generally outweigh its opportunities. These include:

• The narrow, small-scale, valley setting is limiting in terms of size for a family camp. Should the creek be restored, the usable area that remains in the valley for family camping would be considerably reduced. • Access from the west along Pinehurst Road from Skyline Boulevard is steep with extremely tight turns with, in one location, a one-lane section. The road would not be safe for larger RVs. The most direct regional access to the site would be through Moraga. • If developed for family camping, essentially all the site would be used, leaving little opportunity for other features beyond trail connections to complement the camp experience. Given the site’s limitations coupled with its remote setting, it could be developed into a relatively small, 10- to 15-unit convenience campground for families. However, the site is relatively close to the family campground at Anthony Chabot Regional Park and would not advance the District’s goals for equitable distribution of opportunities.

Sunol Regional Wilderness: Currently closed for the Calaveras Dam replacement project, there were previously only four walk-in family campsites at the area. The remoteness of the area located at the end of Geary Road and at the start of the Ohlone Wilderness Trail lends a strong sense of remoteness. The existing walk-in camps could be reopened, relocate along Alameda Creek, or replaced as convenience camps.

3.3.2 Group Camps Figure 3-2 illustrates the locations of areas evaluated for group camps. Table 3-4 summarizes the relationship between the criteria and potential new group camps. Many of the existing group camps, both developed and primitive, are more than 25 years old. A general opportunity exists to enhance use levels at existing group camps with a long-term program of renovating existing sites, such as was done recently at Bort Meadows in Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Particularly important to enhancing use and the recreation experience is replacing older vault or portable toilet facilities with modern vault toilets.

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Table 3-4: New Group Camp Opportunities LOCATION CRITERIA

Place

and Cultural Cultural and wide Appeal wide

- District of Significance Trail to Relationship Network Access Vehicular Demand Distribution Geographic and Scale, Location, Remoteness of Sense Climate Use Multiple Natural Resources Features Surrounding Water Potable Access Operational Compliance ADA Black Diamond Mines v v n o o o o o o v v o v v Briones – Coyote Valley v v n o n v o n o o v o o v Carquinez Strait – Eckley v v n n n n v o n v v v n v Carquinez Strait - v v o v v v v o v Shepard Canyon n n n n n Carquinez Strait - Brickyard v v n n n n v v n v v n n n Concord Area v o o n n v o o n n v v n n Crocket Hills – Black Ranch Valley v v n n n n n v v o v n o n Delta Access v v n n n n v o n v v v v ? Lake Chabot – Fairmont Ridge v v o n n o o v o v v v v v Las Trampas – v v n o n v n n v n o o o v Devil’s Hole Las Trampas – Honsaker Canyon v v v o v v n n v n v v o v Mission Peak - McClure Home Site n n n o n n n v v n v n n n Morgan Territory – v v n v n n n o v n v n n n Jensen Sibley Volcanic Preserve - McCosker v v n o v o n n o v v n v v Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp v v n v n v v n v v v v n n Wildcat Canyon – Old Fowler Barn Site v v v o n o o n v v v o o v n Beneficial relationship v Neutral relationship o Negative Relationship ? Unknown at this time

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Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve: The 1977 LUP for the Preserve proposed two interpretive group campsites. These were the Star Mine Group Camp in the Stewartville/Corcoran's Valley that was constructed, and a site located near a group of trees near the boundary of the Preserve along the Lougher Loop Trail. In proposing these sites, the LUP also called out that their use be limited to 40 persons and, because of potential theft and vandalism, strict standards for group eligibility require that group outings be for nature education

Photo: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve - Lougher Loop Trail purposes. Given the overall lack of current demand (source: GoogleEarth) for the Star Mine Group Camp along with other factors such as lack of water, poor access, limited shade, and singularity of allowable use, consideration of developing the site should either be eliminated from consideration or development of the site deferred until such time as the existing Star Mine Group Camp is at or near its capacity.

Briones Regional Park – Coyote Valley: The Briones LUP identifies 4 group camps. Maud Whalen (80 capacity), Wee-ta-chi (100 capacity), and Homestead Valley (aka Alexander Ranch; 300 capacity) Camps now exist. San Felipe Group Camp (75 capacity) located south of Maud Whalen on a spit of land between two converging creeks has not been implemented. In addition, the Twin Canyon Camp owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of Northern California is contiguous to the Park.

In 1994 the LUP was amended to include a Special Event Camp Site at Coyote Valley (along Deer Photo: Briones Regional Park - Coyote Valley (source: GoogleEarth) Creek) located northwest from the Park’s Bear

Creek entrance and immediately off Bear Creek

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Road. The amendment stipulated that facilities identified for Coyote Valley would not be permanent. Homestead Valley would be maintained as the primary special event camp site for Briones with Coyote Valley serving as the primary alternate site. Implementation of permanent camp facilities would involve an amendment to the LUP and:

• An encroachment permit for access off Bear Creek Road from Contra Costa County Public Works. • A stream alteration permit from California Department of Fish and Wildlife for a ford crossing of the riparian drainage and/or maximum of two small, pedestrian, wood bridges to be located in field. While there may be an opportunity for a camp in Coyote Valley, the narrow valley and riparian setting along with a new park entrance on a curve in a high-speed stretch of Bear Creek Road are not ideal from a permitting or operational perspective. In addition, demand could be accommodated by constructing the San Felipe Camp and/or enhancing Homestead Valley Camp.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline: The 1993 LUP identifies two group camp sites for overnight camping in the upland woodland portion of Eckley and in Shepard Canyon (see also Equestrian Camp opportunities). Additionally the Brickyard site presents another opportunity. The majority of the District's camping facilities are located in southern Alameda County. There is a limited supply of camping in the northern portion of Contra Costa County. The closest existing group camp is at Point Pinole Regional shoreline.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Eckley Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Shepard Canyon (source: GoogleEarth) (source: GoogleEarth)

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The three different sites each would provide an opportunity in an area of the District lacking in group camps. Each is located on or adjacent to the San Francisco Bay Trail. However, the opportunities vary somewhat among them. The Shepard Canyon and the Brickyard, located in valleys, potentially provide some shelter from the Carquinez Strait winds. The known water supply of the Brickyard would allow it to be a developed group camp. However, a group camp at this site, given its constrained canyon setting, would likely conflict with development as a family camp. Both the Eckley and Brickyard sites present the opportunity of linking group camp activities with the Bay Water Trail.

Concord Area (portion of former Naval Weapons Center): When acquired by the District, there will be unlimited space for group camps that are highly accessible and close to major populations of northern and eastern Contra Costa County. However, the site is generally treeless, hot, and would likely require shade structures and, if possible, additional revegetation. The site is essentially an urban edge site with views over the developed valley floor.

Crocket Hills – Black Ranch Valley: The 1999 Carquinez Strait Regional LUP Amendment identified a primitive group camp to be located in the 30-acre valley to serve hikers, equestrians and bicyclists. The campsite is flat, relatively remote, rural in character, located next to the Bay Area Ridge Trail and has a potential spring water source. Without improvements, vehicular access to the ranch is currently limited to dry months. Additionally, there may be fully protected species nesting in the Black Ranch Valley area that may limit public access during the breeding season.

Delta Access Regional Recreation Area: As with family camping, the opportunities of developing a portion of the site as a developed group camp are significant. The challenges are balancing space set aside for both group and family camping, and the potential costs of water and sanitary infrastructure.

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Lake Chabot – Fairmont Ridge: The ridgeline is an open grassland with few sheltered locations for a group camp. While there are numerous, well-used group camps at Anthony Chabot Regional Park, the direct access for East Bay communities from Fairmont Drive makes the site an attractive opportunity. However, there are some use significant constraints of the ridgeline areas that include: need to update the existing LUP to include Fairmont ridge area; general separation from other recreation opportunities at the lake; lack of trail connections to

Lake Chabot Regional Park – Fairmont Ridge the lake and surrounding lands; availability of water; (source: GoogleEarth) a lacking sense of remoteness; and the potential need for wind and sun protection.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness – Devils Hole: Corral Camp located off Bollinger Canyon Road is currently the only camp in the Regional Wilderness for groups, including equestrians. Devil’s Hole is identified in the 1993 Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Land Use Development Plan as an additional group camp location. Devil’s Hole is a 3- to 4-mile walk from the Bollinger Canyon Road staging area with difficult accessibility for staff to service the camp. The LUP recognizes that until a suitable public two-track trail is provided from Cull Canyon Road, development, use, and management of

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness – Devils Hole (source: GoogleEarth) this site would be challenging. The site is located just upstream from private property at the terminus of Cull Canyon Road.

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Las Trampas Regional Wilderness – Hunsaker Canyon: Hunsaker Canyon is currently land banked, not open to the public and is not included in the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness LUP. There is no schedule for opening the canyon up to the general public. While the canyon is wooded and may be physically suitable for a group camp, access to it is through the neighborhood streets of Lafayette and the one-lane Hunsaker Canyon Road.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness – Hunsaker Canyon (source: GoogleEarth) Mission Peak - McClure Home Site: Located in a perched valley near the McClure home, this structure is now used as a ranger residence. Vehicular access is 4- wheel drive only from the staging area at Stanford Avenue. This is currently used by the District and hang- gliders through a use permit. Vehicular service is also available from Mill Creek Road. As a primitive group campsite, this could make an ideal base camp along the Bay Area Ridge Trail for ascending Mission Peak.

Mission Peak - McClure Home Site (source: GoogleEarth) Morgan Territory Regional Preserve – Jensen Property: Located within 3/4 mile of the Morgan Territory Road staging area and ranger residence, a group camp would be an easily accessible base camp for exploring the Preserve trail system and the Los Vaqueros watershed. The camp would also be located near a key intersection of the regional trail system.

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve – Jensen Property (source: GoogleEarth)

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Robert Sibley Volcanic Preserve - McCosker Site: The upper bench area of the site could be renovated as a developed camp area. Access from the west along Pinehurst Road from Skyline Boulevard is problematic for school busses. The most direct safe access to the site would be through Moraga. The existing on-site residence could be beneficial in providing management oversight. Access to the site will be determined by a feasibility study currently underway for restoring the creek that runs through the property.

Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp: The 2008 LUP identifies a general area for a 50 capacity primitive group camp approximately 1/2 mile from a staging area and a park residence. Because of the exposed generally treeless landscape, facilities may include shelters. The site is also identified as a co-use site with equestrian camping.

Wildcat Canyon - Old Fowler Barn Site: The original 1985 LUP for the regional park included a primitive group camp in the Alvarado area of the Park. This was

Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp (source: GoogleEarth) superseded by a LUP Amendment in 1991. The Fowler Barn site is located off the very popular Wildcat Creek Trail approximately one-half way between the Diablo Creek Staging Area and the Tilden Nature Area, at the intersection with Rifle Range Road Trail that will not support cars, utilities, sanitation, or water deliveries.

3.3.3 Backpack Camps Backpack camps offer basic facilities that would typically include chemical toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. Only camp stoves may be used at a backpack camp. From a planning perspective, potable water and vehicular access for security and maintenance are critical.

Backpack camps are intended to be sited near regional trails, accessible to service vehicles, but away from heavily used areas. Ideally, backpack camps are to be spaced at maximum 10-mile intervals along the regional trails. However, where possible, camps spaced at 5-mile intervals would provide greater choice and flexibility in terms of management to accommodate a wide variety of users.

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Generally speaking, the overall footprint of a backpack camp for 8 persons may be relatively small, perhaps 1/8 to 1/4 acre in size, or up to 3 or 4 acres that would allow for multiple small groups to camp at one time.

When considering backpack camps that enable long-distance trail or equestrian use, consideration should be given to distance relationships with existing family or group camps that could, through reservation or minor physical modifications, provide reservable walk-in use.

Figure 3-3 illustrates regional trails that backpack camps would support and the new locations evaluated. Table 3-5 summarizes the relationship between the criteria and potential backpack camps.

Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space Preserve: Located along the uncompleted Calaveras Ridge Trail, the Preserve borders the City of San Ramon. As such, the Preserve’s trails receive a relatively high use. The distance between Dublin Hills and Las Trampas Regional Parks, where backpack camps are also being considered, is approximately 8 to 10 miles. From a system perspective, development of a backpack camp at the Preserve should only be considered should a camp at Dublin Hills not be feasible.

Briones Regional Park: A backpack camp at Briones is key in linking the Bay Area Ridge Trail in Tilden Regional Park with the Diablo Trail leading to the southeast and the Calaveras Ridge Trail to the south. The LUP for the Park calls for two backpack camps: Oak Hollow in the Bear Creek Valley; and the Chamise Camp closer to Briones Peak. Homestead Valley, that includes an existing underutilized group camp, has ample space to develop a backpack camp or reallocate the existing camp for backpack use. This would take advantage of easy access to an exiting water supply at the Park’s staging area.

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Table 3-5: New Backpack Camp Opportunities LOCATION CRITERIA

and Cultural Cultural and wide Appeal wide

- District Place of Significance Trail to Relationship Network Access Vehicular Demand Distribution Geographic and Scale, Location, Remoteness of Sense Climate Use Multiple Natural Resources Features Surrounding Water Potable Access Operational Compliance ADA Bishop Ranch v v n o v o o v v v o o v v Briones - Homestead v v n n v n n n n v n n n v Brushy Peak o n n n o n v o o o v n n n Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills n n n o v n n v v v n o o v Clayton Ranch o v o v o o n o v v n ? v v Diablo Foothills v v n n v n n o v v v v v v Dry Creek Pioneer – v v o v v v v o v v Blacks Creek n n n n Dublin Hills - Machado n v n n n n v v n v v ? n v GarinSpring – Old Corral n v n v n n n v v v n v v v Garin – Palomares n v n v n n n v v v n v v v Lake Chabot – Fairmont v v v n n v v n v v v n n v Ridge Las Trampas - Corral v v v n n n o v n v v n n n Las Trampas – Devils v v o o v v o v o o o v Hole n n Las Trampas - Hunsaker v v n o v v n v n v o o v v Canyon Pleasanton Ridge - Sinbad v v n v n n n v n v v n v v Creek Pleasanton Ridge - Aquila v v o v v v n v o v v n v v Sunol/Ohlone - Fritz v n o o o o v v v n v n v v Cabin Site Sunol/Ohlone - Telles v n o o o o v v v n v n v v Cabin Site Vargas Plateau v n o n v n n n n v v n n n Wildcat Canyon - Nimitz n n n n n n v n n v v o n v Way n Beneficial relationship v Neutral relationship o Negative relationship ? Unknown at this time

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Brushy Peak Regional Preserve: The Regional Preserve is a Resource Protection Area. With that understanding, the Preserve is also at a key location between Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Del Valle Regional Park, roughly 8 to 10 miles in either direction. While the Preserve would not otherwise be considered for overnight camping from an experience standpoint, a camp location near the existing residence, while not ideal, would facilitate long-distance through hikes or horseback rides. However, archaeology considerations may be a constraint constraint.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline: The Regional Shoreline includes the San Francisco Bay Trail, the Bay Water Trail and the California Riding and Hiking Trail. The 1993 LUP identifies the Franklin Hills unit for a backpack camp. The site, located in a grove of blue oaks, is undeveloped. Constraints to use are that access routes are steep and not accessible during wet months. Other opportunities in the Regional Shoreline that could be considered as a substitute to the Franklin Hills site are along San Francisco Bay Trail at: either of the Eckley or Shepard Canyon group camp sites identified in the LUP (see Group Camps above); or in the upper canyon above the Brickyard site (see Family Camps above). From an operations perspective the Eckley, Shepherd Canyon or Brickyard sites present viable opportunities.

Clayton Ranch Regional Park: The Park is currently in land bank status and no LUP for the Park exists. It is located on the northeast side of Mount Diablo State Park and connects with Black Diamond Mines Regional Park. The majority of the Park is not immediately associated with the regional trail system. A backpack camp would not serve an immediate long-distance hiking purpose but may, depending on its location as identified in a future LUP, provide shorter loop trail opportunities from either Mount Diablo State Park or Black Diamond Mines Regional Park. In the foreseeable future, an alternative backpack camp opportunity to service the Black Diamond Mines to Mount Diablo Trail would be use of the existing Stewartville Backpack Camp or co-use of the Star Mine Group Camp.

Diablo Foothills Regional Park: Located along the Briones to Mount Diablo Trail (also the Mokelumne to Coast Trail), the Park is centrally located for backpacking to Briones, Las Trampas or Black Diamond Mines. The LUP for the Park does not

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include any camping. However a backpack camp could be developed either at the upper reaches of the Castle Rock Recreation Area, where water would be nearby but is located approximately 1/2 mile off the regional trail system, or along Shell Ridge with open grasslands and large oaks overlooking the Castle Rocks and near the intersection of the Buckeye Ravine, Briones to Mount Diablo, and Stonegate Trails.

Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks: the 2012 LUP calls for three backpack camps. These are:

• Palomares Backpack Camp located just off of the existing Bay Area Ridge Trail. Facilities would include potable water. • Old Corral Backpack Camp located nearby the Bay Area Ridge Trail alignment and the corral. However, water would have to be developed using the existing water source in the corral or from a new well. This site would also accommodate equestrian use. • Blacks Creek Backpack Camp located on either side of the Tolman Creek Trail in Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park. Based on demand, additional sites could be developed. No potable water is available and either a well or an extension of the potable water line from Meyers Cottage and Dry Creek Garden would be required. Of the three, this camp location is the least accessible from the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

Dublin Hills Regional Park - Machado Spring: the 2008 Interim LUP does not address camping. The Machado Spring area is located on the Calaveras Ridge Trail route and, depending on exacting siting, could take advantage of some existing oak groves and be visually separated from nearby housing developments.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness: There are three potential opportunities identified for a backpack camp. These are:

• Near Corral Camp located off Bollinger Canyon Road as indicated in the LUP. • Devils Hole as indicated in the LUP (see Group Camps for description). • Hunsaker Canyon (see Group Camps for description). Of the three, the Corral Camp area best serves the regional trail system as it is at the crossroads of the Calaveras Ridge Trail and Redwood to Mount Diablo Trails. It is highly serviceable from an operational perspective. However, it is also a popular use area and a sense of remoteness is lacking.

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Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park: The 2012 LUP for the Park identifies two backpack camps to be developed:

• Sinbad Creek Camp located along the Sinbad Creek Trail approximately 1 mile west and 300 feet below the Calaveras Ridge Trail route and approximately 1 and 1-1/2 miles north of Kilkare Road. An existing potable water line can be extended from a nearby picnic area. • Aquila Camp located along the Aquila Loop Trail west of the Sunol Ridge Trail and without direct connection to the Calaveras Ridge Trail approximately two miles from the Tyler Ranch Trailhead. Water would be developed from a nearby spring.

Sunol/Ohlone Wilderness - Telles and Fritz Cabin Site: The site is located near the intersection of Billy Goat Road and Welsh Creek/Bluff Road. It is approximately 1,000 vertical feet below and 1 mile away from the Sunol/Ohlone Wilderness Trail. Should there be a trail loop developed on adjacent San Francisco Water District lands, the camp would be an ideal destination from which to explore the Telles and Goat Rock areas.

Tilden/Wildcat Canyon Regional Parks - Nimitz Way: A backpack camp near Nimitz Way (also the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Skyline National Trail) would be geographically strategic in facilitating through hiking from Sibley north to the Crocket Hills. Because of the heavy trail use along Nimitz Way there are no sites that could be considered to be away from popular use for the first three miles from Inspiration Point. The 1985 LUP for Wildcat Canyon Regional Park calls for a backpack camp in Havey Canyon, just west of Nimitz Way. Another opportunity would be in Tilden Regional Park beyond the abandoned Nike missile site and the paved trail portion of Nimitz Way. Neither of these sites has the opportunity for developing a nearby water source.

Vargas Plateau – North Plateau Camp: As identified in the 2008 LUP, the backpack camp would be developed in the same general area as the Tenderfoot Group Camp, approximately 1/2 mile from a park residence. The camp would have a potable water supply and, because of the exposed, generally treeless landscape, may include camp shelters.

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3.3.4 Water Trail Camps Part of the Bay Water Trail vision is to link access points around the San Francisco Bay. Kayakers are the most likely water trail users to embark on multi-site and multi-day trips on the Bay. Kayakers travel about two to four miles per hour depending on boater skill level, currents, and winds. This generally limits their range to four to six miles without an interim break. However for overnight camps, as with other types of trails, 10-mile intervals are desirable. Most kayakers prefer to launch from a sand or pebble beach or low profile (freeboard) float, but a wide range of ramps, floats, docks and shoreline terrains are usable. Another facility desire is space on or near the launch to prepare equipment.

Table 3-6 overviews the District’s sites that could be part of the Bay Water Trail system of access points. The Bay Water Trail Plan differentiates between launch sites and destination sites. From a camping perspective, most of the sites are urban and either have nearby overnight accommodations that could support the trail or are surrounded by urban development that makes it unsuitable for overnight camping. Point Pinole is an existing managed camping opportunity, although access to it from the Bay is not ADA compliant. It should be noted that water trails, like cross-country hiking trails, often involve landscape settings that are not conducive to complying with ADA guidelines. There are exceptions to the ADA guidelines that include: scenarios where compliance is not practicable due to terrain, prevailing construction practices, fundamentally altering the function or purpose of the facility, or the effects on endangered species habitat, archaeological, cultural, historical, or other significant natural features. However, in such scenarios compliance is expected “to the extent practicable” even if an entity determines that an exception does not permit full compliance.

Table 3-6: District Managed Bay Water Trail Sites Site Name Status Relationship to BWT Albany Beach – McLaughlin No facilities but beach Not yet approved Eastshore State Park used by kayakers Robert Crown Memorial State No facilities but beach Not yet approved Beach used by kayakers Carquinez Strait Regional No facilities Not yet approved Shoreline - Eckley Point Isabel Regional Shoreline No facilities Not yet approved Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Existing group camp; Not yet approved.

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Site Name Status Relationship to BWT Planned launch Identified in BTW Plan as destination site Bay Point Regional Shoreline No facilities Not yet approved Martin Luther King Jr. Existing kayak Not yet approved Regional Shoreline - launching at Elmhurst Tidewater Center Staging Area Miller Knox Regional No facilities Approved Shoreline – Ferry Point Delta Access Regional No facilities Not part of the Bay Water Recreation Area Trail Source: EBRPD; California State Coastal Conservancy. Enhanced San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Plan, December 28, 2011.

Figure 3-3 illustrates the locations of sites evaluated as water trail camps. Table 3- 7 summarizes the relationship between the criteria and potential new water trail camps.

Table 3-7: New Water Trail Camp Opportunities LOCATION CRITERIA

wide Appeal wide

Both the Eckley and Big Break day use areas are fully developed. Each has a fishing pier that, with some retrofitting, could be used for kayak launching. Limited

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camping could occur in the existing use areas. However, such camping would need to be closely monitored and conditioned on occupancy hours so as not to conflict with other day use activities.

The setting of the Bay Point Regional Shoreline is currently less suited to camping due to its: lack of developed launching access; location immediately surrounded by residential, military, and industrial development; and lack of water supply.

Use of the Brickyard site in the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline or Delta Access Regional Recreation Area site would be dependent on development of other camping facilities (see Family Camps above).

3.3.5 Equestrian Camps Based on current demand, there is not an existing need for new equestrian camps per se. Consideration should be given in designing and/or retrofitting existing group or backpack camps so they can be reserved for equestrian use. Examples include group sites at Briones and Vargas Plateau Regional Parks and backpack sites such as at the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Franklin Hills site. Other major opportunities for encouraging equestrian camping include enhancing existing sites with new restrooms where needed, installing hitching posts, and providing accessible mounting blocks and ramps2.

3.3.6 Residential Camps There are existing plans for expanding Camp Arroyo at some point in the future. Figure 3-1 illustrates the locations of other areas that may be capable of supporting the development of residential camps. These opportunities for new residential camps are at: Anthony Chabot Regional Park - Chabot Gun Club site; Sibley

2 The United States Forest Service has design standards for acessible mounting blocks. http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07232816/page13.htm - fig36

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Regional Preserve - McCosker site; Carquinez Regional Shoreline - Brickyard site; and Ardenwood Historic Farm.

While the geographic location of each of these sites would complement the location of Camp Arroyo by creating sites for possible residential camps in other parts of the District, each also has particular site limitations. Additionally, before conducting due diligence on the potential of sites for residential camps, it would be logical and prudent to identify the appropriate partners who have interests in developing and operating residential camps. The specific criteria for site selection, and the size requirements for number of overnight accommodations and facilities, will be driven by the program envisioned by the partner proposing to actually operate the camp.

The existing firing range area operated by the Chabot Gun Club is situated in a valley north of the Park’s group camps. Existing vehicular access, presence of water and electrical utilities, scale, and visual remoteness are in line with the attributes sought for a residential camp. Major constraints to use are: existing reliance on chemical toilets and no septic / leach field or sewer system; the Park’s existing water and wastewater systems are at capacity and in need of upgrading; and potential remedial cleanup costs. It should be noted that the gun club does maintain an environmental stewardship plan that complies with agency guidelines for lead management at outdoor shooting ranges.

The Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve - McCosker site, with its relative seclusion, would be suited for development of a small residential camp (see also Family and Group Camps above). If vehicular access could be provided, ten to fifteen individual campsites could take advantage of a restored riparian setting and the lower portions of the valley’s oak-shaded hillsides. The terraced upper bench area, though open and sunny, could be restored as an oak woodland with additional campsites or used for Park operations. As with other uses, vehicular access from the west is a constraint.

If developed as a residential camp, the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - Brickyard site could also provide a sense of seclusion from surrounding landside uses opening onto the water of Carquinez Strait. On the other hand, the active rail

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service through the site could be disruptive to programs, and could be perceived as a hazard for overnight youth groups. Utilities have been present on the site in the past, but systems will likely require rebuilding to accommodate a new camp.

Ardenwood Historic Farm, given its high accessibility, existing management structure, utility infrastructure, and uniqueness within the District’s system, presents an ideal opportunity for a relatively small residential camp specifically focused on an urban agriculture theme.

3.3.7 Day Camps Opportunities for expanding day camp use are found in upgrading existing group picnic areas to accommodate use as such during the the mid-week period. This is essentially true for all District picnic areas. 3.4 Conclusions Most of the camp opportunities explored are suitable for development or expansion. However, those opportunities where location, site access, resource characteristics, or anticipated use does not warrant further consideration at this time are presented in Table 3.8

Table 3-8: Camping Opportunities Deferred from Further Consideration CAMP TYPE

PARK er Family Group Backpack Wat Trail Equestria Residentia

Anthony Chabot (1) u n l Bishop Ranch u Black Diamond Mines u Briones – Coyote Valley u Clayton Ranch u Concord Area u Del Valle u u Diablo Foothills u Dublin Hills - Machado Spring u Lake Chabot – Fairmont Ridge u Ohlone-Sunol Wilderness –Fritz Cabin u Ohlone-Sunol Wilderness – Telles Cabin u Sibley Volcanic Preserve – McCosker Site u Wildcat Canyon – Old Fowler Barn u (1) Except for expansion to support convenience camp amenities.

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R ECOMMENDED C AMPING P ROGRAM 4.0 U PDATE

4.1 Priority Evaluation Criteria Table 4.1 below lists criteria used to help direct what new or expanded camping opportunities would be prioritized over the next 10 to 20 years. These criteria were based on input provided by the District’s Project Team and Unit Managers, and Focus Group participants. Also considered are the District’s goals and policies for camping as outlined in the District 2013 Master Plan and the District 2005 Camping Guidelines.

Table 4-1: Priority Criteria CRITERIA DESCRIPTION Policy Will the camp improvement be of a regional nature and expand the diversity of camping experiences available to East Bay residents in an equitable manner? Is it consistent with an adopted LUP and environmental document?

Immediate Benefit Will the camp improvement result in a more efficient and effective use of an existing facility? Will a new camp disperse use within the camping system or result in an increase in use?

Capital Improvement How much will the facility cost? Are there precursor costs Cost not directly related to camping associated with the improvement? Will the facility improvement need to be programmed over multiple years?

Standards and Codes Will the camp improvement bring an existing camp up to current standards and code? Can a camp be developed to reflect District policy for camp facilities and management?

Management Is existing staff available to implement and manage the camping improvement or new camp? Will implementation place an undue hardship on existing management capabilities or require an increase in staffing.

Partnership Does the camp improvement present an opportunity to work with public or private partners without impacting the District’s capital improvement budget? Will a partnership enhance the District’s ability to provide camping opportunities with no or little increase in District staffing?

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4.2 Camping Program Priorities and Recommendations Figure 4-1 illustrates the camping program site recommendations. Camping program improvements will be strategically targeted over time such that the benefits of camping are methodically enhanced to reflect Board policy, meet current needs, and plan for anticipated demand. Implementing changes to the camp system, particularly capital improvement projects, are often opportunistic based on available grants, partnership interests, completion of new LUPs for land-banked units, and completion of new land acquisitions. Recognizing these, priorities are identified for those camp improvements that could realistically be accomplished in the near term. Priorities therefore are:

• Near-Term Priority: 1 to 7 years • Long-term Priority: Beyond 7 years or until such time as changed circumstances present an opportunity to review.

Attachment E provides a characterization of each camp opportunity, by camp type, and its relationship to the the priority criteria. Priorities are summarized below.

4.2.1 Family Camp Priorities New or Expanded Family Camps: Table 4-2 indicates recommended priorities for planning and capital improvements related to new or expanded family camps and summarizes the relationship between priority criteria and individual family camp opportunities.

New Family Camps: The District has entered into a long-term partnership with Dumbarton Quarry Associates to develop a family camp that will be phased over time. This program should continue as it will provide a bayside family camping experience not available elsewhere in the District. A LUP amendment for the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline to include the Brickyard site should be initiated. The LUP should consider all types of family camping including: limited RV camping; tent camping; walk/bike/boat-in camping to support the regional trail system; and convenience camping facilities. Planning should recognize the access constraints presented by the Carquinez Scenic Drive. Considerations would include limiting RVs to only Class B motorhomes, folding camping trailer, and truck campers. (see Attachment F for the characteristics of RV classes).

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Table 4-2: Family Camp Priorities CAMP OPPORTUNITY RECOMMENDED PRIORITY HIGH LOW Anthony Chabot – Convenience Camping Expansion P Carquinez Strait – Brickyard (LUP) P Coyote Hills - Dumbarton Quarry P Delta Access (LUP) P

CONSIDERATIONS

CAMP OPPORTUNITY

Policy Immediate Benefit Capital Improvement Cost Standards Codesand Management Partnership Anthony Chabot – Convenience Camping n n $$$ v n n Expansion Carquinez Strait - Brickyard o n $$$ n n n Coyote Hills - Dumbarton Quarry n n $ n n n Delta Access o n $$$ n o o n Condition supporting camp construction in the near term v Consideration that should be addressed in the near term but would likely require an extended planning and/or funding period deferring implementation to the long term o Condition that would support assigning camp construction to the long term either due to lack of current demand, pre-requisites for development that are not related to the camp itself, capital needs involving long-term financing, or lack of specific partnerships required to implement the camp $ Relative cost of camp development ($$$ = most; $= least)

Convenience Camps: In the near term there are no obvious landscape settings within District holdings that would command rental rates high enough to support a “glamping” level of resort-style services. On the other hand, installing limited- service convenience units in one or more locations would expand opportunities for transitional campers, and enhance the sense of customer service within the District’s camping program

One near-term opportunity for providing convenience camping is in the Sunol Regional Wilderness. Attributes that support this concept and make it suitable for development as a singular convenience camp include: its end-of-the-road relatively secluded setting; opportunities for creek views and frontage along Alameda Creek; shade from a riparian and oak woodland setting that modifies the microclimate; numerous day-hiking opportunities to Mission Peak, the Little Yosemite gorge along Alameda Creek, and the Sunol Wilderness trail system; presence of visitor and interpretive centers; and the ability to schedule guided horse rides. Sunol

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Regional Wilderness presents an opportunity to install a small cluster of five to ten convenience camping units; possibly yurts, tent cabins, or other cabin styles. While there were limited primitive campsites prior to the area closure, when the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project is completed (estimated 2017) the former walk-in tent camping area, near the visitor center, would be better served being converted to a picnic area. A new a destination rustic convenience camp colony of up to 10 units be developed immediately across Alameda Creek south of the existing day use area. be replaced and expanded to accommodate a destination rustic convenience camp colony. In order to make it easy for existing staff to maintain the units, campers should be expected to provide all their own equipment and supplies other than a tent. An extension of the existing potable water line system and a separate restroom to service the camp would be required.

Expanding the Anthony Chabot Family Camp with convenience campsites is recommended for the not-yet developed camping location identified in the Park’s LUP extending along the ridgeline west of campsite #69. Like all other campsites at Anthony Chabot, convenience campers would share a common restroom building. However, as a pre-requisite, the water and sewer capacity of the existing system will probably need to be upgraded and the existing roadway system should be upgraded to accommodate two-way traffic.

A long-term opportunity is to include some convenience camping in the design of a full service campground at the Brickyard site along the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline. Yurts or cabins could be installed on platforms on one of the oak forest hillsides, providing water views and a distinctly different environment than the remaining camping area developed on the flatter valley of the site. Tent sites, and walk-in tent sites could be placed in yet other areas of the property.

Camp Units with Mobility Features: Table 4-3 indicates the number of camp units with mobility features called for by the U.S. Access Board Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas. Where a family camp provides different types of camping such as RV only, tent camping only, or camping units with convenience camp shelters, the ratio independently applies to each camp type.

Table 4-3: Camping Units with Mobility Features Total Number of Camping Units Minimum Number of Camping Units with

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Provided in Camping Facility Mobility Features Required 1 1 2 to 25 2 26 to 50 3 51 to 75 4 76 to 100 5 101 to 150 7 151 to 200 8 201 and over 8, plus 2 percent of the number over 200

The camps at Anthony Chabot and Del Valle Regional Parks should be reviewed and upgraded to reflect these guidelines. The timing for such upgrades would be coordinated with other improvements made to these camps. The design for the Dumbarton Quarry Family Camp and planning for the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - Brickyard and the Delta Access Regional Recreation Area family camp sites should include these mobility requirements.

4.2.2 Group Camp Priorities The priority direction for group camps is to provide expanded opportunities near those camps that are now essentially at capacity, such as around Anthony Chabot Regional Park, and provide enticing opportunities for areas that are not well served by the District. This would be accomplished by constructing a limited number of new camps, and upgrading existing camps with new restrooms and other renovated facilities. Table 4-4 indicates recommended priorities for new group camps.

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Table 4-4: Group Camp Priorities CAMP OPPORTUNITY RECOMMENDED PRIORITY HIGH LOW Carquinez Strait – Eckley P Carquinez Strait – Brickyard (LUP) P Carquinez Strait - Shepard Canyon P Crocket Hills – Black Ranch Valley P Delta Access (LUP) P Las Trampas – Devil’s Hole P Las Trampas – Honsaker Canyon P Mission Peak – McClure Home Site P Morgan Territory – Jensen P Sibley Volcanic Preserve – McCosker P Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp P

CONSIDERATIONS

CAMP OPPORTUNITY

Policy Immediate Benefit Capital Improvement Cost Standards Codesand Management Partnership Carquinez Strait – Eckley n v $$ v v o Carquinez Strait - Shepard Canyon n n $$ v v o Carquinez Strait - Brickyard o o $$$ v o Crocket Hills – Black Ranch Valley n o $S n o o Delta Access o n $$$ n o o Las Trampas – Devil’s Hole n o $$$ o o o Las Trampas – Honsaker Canyon o v $$ n o o Mission Peak – McClure Home Site n n $$ n o o Morgan Territory – Jensen n o $ n n o Sibley Volcanic Preserve – McCosker o o $$$ n o o Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp n n $$ n o o n Condition supporting camp construction in the near term v Consideration that should be addressed in the near term but would likely require an extended planning and/or funding period deferring implementation to the long term o Condition that would support assigning camp construction to the long term either because lack of current demand, pre-requisites for development that are not related to the camp itself, capital needs involving long-term financing, or lack of specific partnerships required to implement the camp $ Relative cost of camp development ($$$ = most; $= least)

With the completion of the Carquinez Scenic Trail, development of a group camp in the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline at Shepherd Canyon will provide a group camp opportunity for nearby Martinez and other northern Contra Costa communities. Similarly, the Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp would provide an opportunity for groups from nearby Fremont.

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While public demand strongly supports a group camp at the Mission Peak - McClure Home Site, the existing staging area off of Stanford Avenue is at capacity and the hike to the site is considerable. A group camp at this location would best be developed as a primitive camp oriented to backpacking with service access from Mill Creek Road.

Group use at the Homestead Valley Camp should be abandoned in favor of converting the site as a backpack and equestrian trail camp to support the Tilden- Briones-Calaveras-Mount Diablo Trail connections. Relocating the group use area to the nearby archery range site is not recommended as its usable area is relatively small, oaks would likely need to be removed, and the access road to it would require significant upgrading and permitting where it crosses Bear Creek.

Priority recommendations include upgrading facilities at the following group camps in order to increase their appeal and use:

• Briones Regional Park – Maud Whalen: vault toilets • Briones Regional Park – Wee-Ta-Chi: vault toilets • Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve – Star Mine: vault toilets, shelter, water storage tank • Garin Regional Park – Arroyo Flats: vault toilets, shelter, and possibly level grading of the nearby camp meadow area

4.2.3 Backpack Camp Priorities Table 4-5 summarizes recommendations about backpack camps and overviews the evaluation of each site compared to the priority criteria. A driving priority consideration for backpack camps is if they are positioned close to the regional trail system and how their spacing relates to existing family and group camps. For example, the Bay Area Ridge Trail is more likely to be used for overnight trips using multiple sites in the short term than are sites along the Calaveras Ridge Trail that still has long stretches to be secured and developed. Of the priority backpack camps identified, only the camp along Nimitz Way in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park would involve a LUP amendment.

To facilitate backpacking and long-distance equestrian use, it is recommended that reservations for group use facilities along the regional trail system be structured to accommodate small groups (10 or fewer) on weekdays when typical use is

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relatively low. An example would be the group camp at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.

Table 4-5: Backpack Camp Priorities CAMP OPPORTUNITY RECOMMENDED PRIORITY

HIGH LOW Briones - Homestead P Brushy Peak P Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills P Diablo Foothills – Castle Oaks P Dry Creek Pioneer – Blacks Creek P Garin – Old Corral P Garin – Palomares P Las Trampas - Corral P Las Trampas – Devils Hole P Las Trampas - Hunsaker Canyon P Pleasanton Ridge - Sinbad Creek P Pleasanton Ridge - Aquila P Vargas Plateau P Wildcat Canyon - Nimitz Way P

CONSIDERATIONS

CAMP OPPORTUNITY

Policy Immediate Benefit Capital Improvement Cost Standards Codesand Management Partnership Briones - Homestead n n $$ n n n Brushy Peak o o $$ o o n Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills o o $ n n n Diablo Foothills – Castle Oaks o n $$ n n o Dry Creek Pioneer – Blacks Creek n n $ n n o Garin – Old Corral n n $ n n n Garin – Palomares n n $ n n n Las Trampas - Corral n o $ n n o Las Trampas – Devils Hole n o $$$ n o o Las Trampas - Hunsaker Canyon o o $$ n o o Pleasanton Ridge - Sinbad Creek n o $$ n o o Pleasanton Ridge - Aquila n o $$ n o o Vargas Plateau – North Plateau n n $ n n n Wildcat Canyon - Nimitz Way o n $ n n n n Condition supporting camp construction in the near term v Consideration that should be addressed in the near term but would likely require an extended planning and/or funding period deferring implementation to the long term o Condition that would support assigning camp construction to the long term either because lack of current demand, pre-requisites for development that are not related to the camp itself, capital needs involving long-term financing, or lack of specific partnerships required to

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implement the camp $ Relative cost of camp development ($$$ = most; $= least)

4.2.4 Water Trail Camp Priorities Table 4-6 summarizes recommendations about water trail camps and overviews the evaluation of each site compared to the priority criteria.

Table 4-6: Water Trail Camp Priorities CAMP OPPORTUNITY RECOMMENDED PRIORITY HIGH LOW Bay Point Regional Shoreline P Big Break Regional Shoreline P Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Eckley P Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Brickyard P Delta Access (Land Use Plan) P

CONSIDERATIONS

CAMP OPPORTUNITY

Policy Immediate Benefit Capital Improvement Cost Standards Codesand Management Partnership Bay Point n o $ n n n Big Break o o $$ n n o Carquinez Strait – Eckley o n $$ n n n Carquinez Strait – Brickyard v o $$$ o o n Delta Access o v $ o o o n Condition supporting camp construction in the near term v Consideration that should be addressed in the near term but would likely require an extended planning and/or funding period deferring implementation to the long term o Condition that would support assigning camp construction to the long term either because lack of current demand, pre-requisites for development that are not related to the camp itself, capital needs involving long-term financing, or lack of specific partnerships required to implement the camp $ Relative cost of camp development ($$$ = most; $= least)

While the Bay Water Trail is relatively new and many of the HOS sites identified in the Water Trail Plan are yet to be implemented, the Eckley site in the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline is approximately 10 shoreline miles from the existing Point Pinole camp that should be considered a high priority for the District. Combined with Point Pinole, these two camps would offer a three-day excursion between launch points along the Bay shoreline, such as from Albany Beach in Alameda County and Bay Point in Contra Costa County. Capital improvements

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would include installing an ADA-compliant launch on the existing dock and retrofitting the existing railroad crossing gate (opening width, accommodations for deaf and blind). Strict camping hours would need to be established and coordinated with other group picnic use permits for the site. Another feature recommended for consideration is development of reservable camp cabins to accommodate small groups of 8 or fewer. These would also help manage day versus overnight use by providing lockable storage for water trail users’ equipment. As a designated HOS site of the Bay Water Trail, such conversion would have the support of both the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Division of Boating and Waterways.

4.2.5 Equestrian Camp Priorities As a near-term priority, the following equestrian and backpack camps should be upgraded with new facilities as follows:

• Anthony Chabot Regional Park – Bort Meadow: Accessible mounting blocks • Del Valle Regional Park – Caballo Loco: Vault toilets; accessible mounting blocks • Mission Peak Regional Park – Eagle Springs Backpack: Accessible mounting blocks; hitching posts; and water trough. • Tilden Regional Park – ES Anderson - Vault toilets; accessible mounting blocks In addition, as new backpack camps are developed, they should be designed to include areas with hitching posts and water troughs to facilitate long-distance rides along the regional trail system. Priorities sites would include the Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills and Vargas Plateau camps.

4.2.6 Hostel Priorities In the near term, there is no priority recommended for establishing a hostel in the District. In the long term, it is recommended that the District examine future acquisitions of historic buildings or other existing structures that have potential for reuse as a hostel, and analyze the costs and benefits of developing that use as part of the operating and maintenance plan for that site.

4.2.7 Residential Camp Priorities In the near term, there are no specific priority recommendations for the District establishing new residential camps. In the long term, it is recommended that the

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District remain open to proposals from potential partners who have concepts and funding resources for innovative outdoor education and environmental education programs that would require a new overnight camp but would not directly compete with the District’s existing Camp Arroyo. Such an example would be at Ardenwood Historic Farm where a focused residential camp for 25 to 50 individuals at one time could specifically be based around an urban agriculture theme. Such themed working farms with residential programs typically draw users from the immediate geographic area, such as at the privately operated Hidden Villa Ranch in Los Altos Hills whose programs are supported by residents in the immediate area of surrounding Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

4.2.8 Day Camp Priorities With 169 group picnic sites that could be used for day camps, the priority in the immediate future is not to add more day camp opportunities, but to improve selected sites that may accommodate turn-away requests for those sites operating at capacity. These capacity sites are generally, but not exclusively, readily accessible from urban areas and provide swimming opportunities in a warm environment or bayside settings.

In addition, there are two management actions for consideration that would help avoid conflicts at well-used sites. These are improving reservation and rule enforcement systems at existing group picnic areas and considering weekday use for selected group camp areas for day camp reservations.

4.3 Other Considerations for Near-Term Priorities 4.3.1 Planning Attachment G provides an overview of land use planning costs associated with those priority camps that are not included in adopted LUPs. The following camp opportunities require either new or amended land use plans and associated environmental documents:

• Ardenwood Historic Farm LUP Amendment: a programmatic document to include a residential camp option and facilitate partner interest should such be expressed in the future. • Briones Regional Park LUP Amendment: to convert the Homestead Valley group camp into a backpack camp with equestrian facilities.

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• Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline LUP Amendment: to include water trail camp facilities at Eckley and consideration of the Brickyard site as a family camp and water trail camp. • Diablo Foothills Regional Park LUP Amendment: for development of a backpack camp. • Delta Access Regional Recreation Area LUP: for consideration as a family, group, water trail, and day camp. • Sibley Volcanic Preserve – McCosker LUP Amendment: to include convenience camping or group camping as appropriate should a sufficient area exist after stream restoration. • Sunol / Ohlone Regional Wilderness LUP Amendment: for convenience camping. • Wildcat Canyon Regional Park LUP Amendment: for a backpack camp along Nimitz Way.

4.3.2 Planning and Capital Improvement Costs Attachment G provides an overview of capital improvement costs associated with the design and development of priority campsites. Considerations include:

• Access improvements for operations. • Utility and infrastructure improvements for potable water, sanitary, electricity, and in the case of equestrian use, non-potable water. • General site development for tent areas, picnic tables, fire pits / barbecues, open meadows in the case of group camps, irrigation, shade structures, outdoor classrooms, and other facilities. • Special permitting as may be required based on site resources. • Operational equipment needs.

4.3.3 Management Considerations Excluding the Dumbarton Quarry Family Camp, the Camping Program Update priorities include thirteen potential new or converted camps that will result in the need to increase staffing to operate and maintain the sites.

Table 4-7 overviews these priority camp recommendations and the general likelihood that additional operations staff would be needed as sites are opened. Characterizations include:

• Minimal additional staffing – anticipation that the camp improvement could be operated and maintained by existing staff on less than 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff (0.0 to 0.5 FTE)

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• Modest staffing increase – where additional part-time and some full-time equivalent (FTE) employees would be needed (0.6 to 2 FTE) • Substantial staffing required – where the camp presents a wholly new geographic area for operations or where anticipated use levels will require a staffing commitment that is entirely new (more than 2 FTE)

It is not likely that any camping improvement would require additional District staff to manage the reservations system. However, additional camps could increase commercial concession fees associated with on-line reservations.

Table 4-7: Potential Increase in Operations Staffing Camp Type Anticipated Changes in Operations Staff Minimal Modest Substantial 0.0 to 0.5 0.6 to 2 more than 2 FTE FTE FTE Family Camps Coyote Hills - Dumbarton Quarry Family Camp P Sunol / Ohlone – Convenience Camping P Conversion Group Camps Carquinez Strait - Shepard Canyon Group P Camp Mission Peak - McClure Home Site Group P Camp Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Group Camp P Backpack and Equestrian Camps Briones – Homestead Valley Backpack Camp P Conversions Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills Backpack P Camp Diablo Foothills – Castle Oaks Backpack Camp P Garin – Old Corral Backpack Camp P Garin – Palomares Backpack Camp P Pleasanton Ridge – Sinbad Creek Backpack P Camp Wildcat Canyon – Nimitz Way Backpack Camp P Vargas Plateau – North Plateau Backpack P Camp

For a relative comparison concerning potential family camps at either Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline or Delta Access Regional Recreation Area, it is projected that the Phase 1 of the Dumbarton Quarry Family Camp will require between 8 and 10 new full-time equivalent staff. This staff will provide interpretation, operations, maintenance (plumber / mechanic / electrician), fire / police, and reservation services.

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FIGURES

Figure 1-1: Existing District Overnight Camps Figure 1-2: Existing District Day Camp Sites Figure 2-1: Hostels – San Francisco Bay Region Figure 2-2: Public Agency Family Camps – San Francisco Bay Region Figure 3-1: Family and Residential Camp Opportunities Figure 3-2: Group Camp Opportunities Figure 3-3: Backpack and Water Trail Camp Opportunities Figure 4-1: Priority Sites - Camping Program Update

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Attachment BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION A 1996- 4 - 80

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" ~. "

EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Resolution No. 1996-4- 80 Tuesday, April 2, 1996 APPROVAL OF COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CAMPING TASK FORCE WHEREAS, in 1992 the General Manager appointed a Citizens' Camping Task Force and directed that the Citizens' group review the camping needs for the East Bay area; ' and WHEREAS, the General Managers' instructions to the Task Force defined a need to identify the kind of camping programs appropriate to the rapidly expanding and diversifying East Bay community; and WHEREAS, in 1994 the Citizens' Task Force completed its review and deliberaticn, and submitted its report to the Board of Directors; e.nd WHEREAS, the Task Force report defined a need for these types of camping facilities and activities: - Day Camps - Family Campgrounds - Backpack Camps - Residential Camps - Group Camps - Hostels to be located in appropriate settings throughout the East Bay; and WHEREAS, the Board reviewed and generally approved the draft Comprehensive Camping Program on December 19, 1995, and then referred the program to the Park Adviso~y Committee for review and comment, and WHEREAS, the Park Advisory Committee completed its review on March 11, 1996, and in the process of this review has made suggested changes to improve the program that are now incorporated , into the recommended. Comprehensive Camping Program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby approves: a. the proposed camping program as amended by the Board on this date; b. the proposed camping program priorities for calendar year 1996, in the following order; 1. Day Camps 2 • Group Camps 3. Family Campgrounds 4. Residential Camps with the understanding that in future years Backpack Camps will be included in the priority listing. " "

Approves the proposed preliminary 1996 Camping Program implementations, as listed in the attachment to the Board Report, subject to Board project review and final action when the planning process has been completed; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.

Moved by Director Jocelyn Combs seconded by Director Douglas L. Siden , and approved this 2nd day of April 1996, by the followinq vote:

FOR: Directors Jocelyn Combs, Beverly Lane, Ted Radke, Carol Severin, Douglas L. Siden, JEan Siri, Susan Smartt

AGAINST: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None

CERTIFICADON I. Debra L F..... Cleric cf the Boeid cf DIredIn cf the Eat E RegianII PIrIe DiIIrtct, do hereby certify 1hIIa. __ ..... II. U. true II1d carract copy cf R-**n 1SJ8B.04..80 Md" by the Bon of DInIctaIa •• Ng&Ur IMItIng held an AprIl, 18 illqOyt)") tIe ~,I)lI1OpD East Bay Regional Park District A Comprehensive Program for Implementing the Recommendations of the Camping Task Force

A. Introduction In 1994 the Board of Directors received and accepted a report submitted by the Citizen's Camping Task Force. Following Board acceptance, District staff has defined the short- and long-term actions which must be implemented in order to bring the individual elements o·f the proposed camping program to a practical working reality. B. Goals of the Camping Program Subject to availability of funding and specific Board action on individual elements, the proposed camping program should make available for interested East Bay residents a wide range of different and exciting camping experiences. It is in.tended that the camping experiences be diverse in nature, and that the camping sites be selected in a manner that assures a reasonable accessibility for East Bay residents, wherever they may live in the two-county area. Although a minimum number of improvements necessarily will be provided in order to accommodate the public, at all times the District's planning efforts will aim to retain a maximum of natural environmental setting. It i~ intended, also, that the camping facilities and experience will: 1. be of a regional nature; 2. occur in those selected District facilities in which the activity will not compromise or endanger the quality of the environment; all proposed individual camping programs (facilities and operations) will be subject to CEQA review and park planning process. 3. be established with an awareness and participation of the neighboring communities which are in close proximity to the facility in which the camping activity is proposed. 4. be designed to insure appropriate access by disabled persons. C. Proposed Camping Program In order to ensure that all proposed components of the camping program are consistent with the policies and procedures of the EBRPD, the following long- and short-term operational plans "

will be initiated. Note: By definition, Camping Program includes both camping facilities and camping operations. D. Long-Term 1. Staff will present to the Board of Directors a proposal which defines the recommended numbers of each type of camping facility, and the general location in which these facilities would be situated. (See attached Schedules I and II.) The proposal will also define the specific cri teria which must be met for each of the proposed facili ties, the rationale for selecting camping locales', and the ' procedural steps required to implement th~ program (see attachment to this report). 2. Approval of the long-term plan would not, in itself, involve Board commitment of financial resource for the camping program. Rather, as noted below, each year a specific camping implementation program (including a financial plan) will be prepared by staff, and then referred to the Park Advisory Committee for review and comment after the Park Advisory Committee review, the proposed annual implementation program item will be submitted to the Board for action. E. Short-Term 1. Each yea%.' staff will present to the Board Operations Committee, and then the 'Board of Directors, a proposed camping facility implementation plan for the following year. The plan will identify all proposed new camping programs intended for development in the following year. The proposal will be submitted to the Operations Committee by April 1 of the calendar year, in order to set in motion in a ' timely manner the appropriate budgetary plan and CEQA review actions. After Operations Committee review the Plan will be submitted to the Park Advisory Committee for review and comment, and subsequently the Proposal will be presented to the Full Board. 2. The plan will include a specific financial proposal which will demonstrate how the implementation will occur without unreasonably disturbing or limiting financing of other District operations. The financial plan will describe, as appropriate in each circumstance, grants, gifts, user fees, and support from cooperating organizations. Use fees will be predicated upon standard District fee policy, and provision for camperships and similar programs intended to maximize participation will be included.

2 '. '.

3. Each facility which is being recommended, will be evaluated according to the following criteria: a. The proposed camping facility and program will not be harmful to the physical environment; in this regard, if the proposed. campsite does not have the required plan or CEQA conformance then administrative action will be initiated to provide the required plan and CECA review. The review will be submitted to the Boa~d of Directors for final action. b. The neighboring community will have been notified of the proposed facility and program _ (where possible, informational community meetings will have been held to advise residents of the plan and to gain community insights); c. There exists a demonstrated community and group interest in the proposed program; d. A group or groups (organizations) will work cooperatively with EBRPD to insure appropriate camper use of the proposed facility (these would include schools, camping organizations, youth ~;roups, etc.); e. The proposed camping facility and program will not duplicate other existing public and private facilities/programs which are in close proximity •. f. All facilities and programs will be designed in a manner that provides appropriate access for disabled persons. Each proposed facility will be consistent with criteria defined in this long- and short-term plan. 4. For those types of facilities which have potential value in all East Bay communi ti·es (e. g. , day camps). , each year's proposed annual implementation plan will attempt to provide facilities throughout the two-county area, with the understanding, however, that all proposed facilities meet all other criteria as defined in this policy and procedure. . . 5. After review of the short-term (annual) plan presented by staff, and after Park Advisory Commi ttee review and comment, the Board of Directors will take action to evaluate and app~ove all or portions of the annual plan.

3 " .'

6. At the conclusion of each operating year (generally simultaneous with submission of the proposed succeeding year's plan) staff will present to the Operations Committee and then the full Board a summary of the year's camping program implementation. This report will include an evaluation of what has been accomplished at each new facility , an analysis of problems which have occurred, and a recommendation defining any proposed changes in the annual plan •. This report will be of considerable import in defining the proposed succeeding year's annual plan~ 7. Priorities

Each year, an Annual Camping Plan, prepared by s~aff and then submitted initially to the Board Operations Committee and ultimately the full Board, will include a listing of proposed camping program priorities. It is assumed that these priorities may change from time to time based upon evaluation of public interest and part~cipation, and availability of financial resources. 8. Co-operation with other Public' Private Agencies A basic premise of the District's Camping Program (facility and activity) is that it will be developed and managed in close co-operation with other public and private organizations. a. For each of the District's camping facilities and programs other agenCies will be encouraged to utilize our facilities and services. b. This co-operative effort can involve group use of facilities whereby the program is managed and staffed by EBRPD personnel, or in other instances qualified personnel .from. the user group may assume a more proJilinent staffing role in the program operation. c. EBRPD, in working with'other co-operating agencies, will encourage those agencies to develop and operate camping programs in their own jurisdic tional area, in order to further respond to demonstrated public camping interest.

d. ~here appropriate, privately-owned land will be considered as possible sites for District camping programs, subject to financial and legal review.

4 Schedule I East Bay Regional Park District Facilities for Camping

The District will plan for (and develop over time) a balanced regional system of day camps, backpack camps, group camps, family campgrounds, residential camps, and, potentially, Hostels. The sites or parks listed in the attachment to Schedule II are deemed appropriate for preliminary -consideration and further study; however, actual selection of a final site will be subject to the required park planning and CEQA process. Add! tional new sites may be added following acquisition of new lands that may be suitable for camping and following completion of the District Master Plan process and appropriate CEQA review. ~l proposed camping facili ties will be designed to provide appropriate access by physically disabled persons. (Attached to Schedule I is a brief definition of each type of camping program.) A. Day Camps - The District currently provides extensive day camp opportunities in existing group camps and reservable group picnic areas. Currently 100 group picnic sites and 30 group campsites in District facilities are available for weekday day camp use. The Citizens Camping Task Force recommended that the District now select and prepare from within these ongoing sites, or the addition of a few sites, if needed, a regionally balanced 20 premier day campsites located geographically around the East Bay, to ensure that youth groups will have access to sites with minimum dri v;ing time. These premier camps generally will be provided with a greater array of supporting amenities than would be the case in typical day camp programs. It is intended that the day camp experience occur in close proximity to the residence of young people, in order to facilitate and maximize participation. B. Backpack Camps - The District currently operates 7 backpack si tes at three existing parks (Sunol, Ohlone, and Black Diamond). It is anticipated that ultimately the District can develop backpack camps in a total of 17 District parks (including the three existing facilities). Now that longer treks are possible on the District's expanded Regional Trail system, it is feasible to develop and operate a regional system of backpack sites for multi-day hikes using loop routes. The District will consider the possi~ili ty of development and operation of a backpack camp system for: the Regional Trail links along the Bay Ridge Trail; major loop links between Mt. Diablo/Black Diamond/Morgan Territory; and, Pleasanton Ridge/Sunol/Ohlone/Del Valle. If approved by the Board of Directors sites will be developed at -varying

5 intervals in order to accommodate individuals with different levels of experience and physical capability. It is intended that the District will work co-operatively with other park agencies ·t~ develop appropriate backpack camps on properties of these agencies. C. Group Camps - The District currently provides group camp opportuni ties at 30 sites; based upon our knowledge of existing and planned facilities it is anticipated that the number may ultimately be increased to approximately 50 sites, balanced throughout the Regional Parkland system. There is a demonstrated demand for group camping throughout East Bay communities, thus it shall be a priority to initiate this type of program particularly in those high population areas currently lacking this type of activity. D. Family Campgrounds - The District currently operates 3 family campgrounds, at Del Valle, Chabot, and Sunol. New family campgrounds, (either tent or combined tent/R. V.) will be considered for several additional District facilities, those which provide the type of natural setting conducive to this type of activity. If practical, they will be distributed throughout the two county area, and will be located in shoreline, delta, and interior sites. For this type of camping facility/program it will be particularly important that the neighboring community is cognizant of the proposal. Each family camp ground will include multiple sites; the maximum will be based upon carrying capacity of the facility in which it is located. E. Residential Camps - The District will move cautiously into this proposed new program and will identify sites that are appropriate for group residential and retreat uses. Sites and mix of facilities will be considered for two different operational approaches: a) self-operated camping facilities for groups who will provide their own supervision, food service, and program; b) full service camping facilities (normally for summer and environmental education camps) for youth and adult groups who request that meals, program, and supervision be provided by the operator; or retreat or conference facilities with full or partial services for youth and adult groups. Frequently, these groups will be identified as those with a special theme, or special interest. The District will seek out experienced professional organizations to actually develop and operate its residential camps, except for those "Self Operated Camps" which the District may itself attempt to develop and operate if funding can be obtained. .

6 F. Hostels - The District will consider proposals from non-profit organizations to establish and operate hostels that serve regional trail users, especially along the more urban Bay Shoreline Trail System. The Citizens Camping Task Force recommended consideration of a Hostel Program as a part of its proposal for a total camping effort. Hostel organizations will be contacted in order to determine levels of interest in this type of program.

7 lAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DIS'l'RICT

CAMPING DEFINITIONS

DAY CAMPS Day camps are organized daytime outdoor recreation programs provided for groups of school age children, primarily on weekdays during the summer months. Group Picnic Sites (100 sites) and Group Camps . (30 sites) are made available by EBRPD to be reserved by organizations providing this activity for youth. Premier Day Camps are the District's best equipped sites spread regionally and promoted as ideal locations for summer day camps. On a limited, selective basis the camping experience can involve a single over night. BACKPACK CAMPS Backpack Camps are si tes wi th minimum facilities, providing traditional trail tent camping in a natural setting. They are available for reservation by individuals and small groups for overnights at a single park, or at several parks sequentially for longer treks using the extensive Regional Trail System • . GROUP CAMPS Group Camps are sites for both day and overnight organized camping for youth and adult groups. Group camping is typically a weekend acti vi ty invol ving one or two overnights, with March through October being the prime camping season. Currently, 30 Group. Camps are reservable for this activity. FAMILY CAMPGROUNDS Family campgrounds provide sites for individuals and "families" to camp using tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (RVs) for periods up to 14 days. Combined tent and RV camping currently occurs at Del Valle (180 sites) and Anthony Chabot (80 sites); also, 5 environmental tent camping sites, with minimum improvements, are provided at Sunol. In general, family campgrounds encompass these options: a. Campsites provided with a range of equipment, including picnic and storage

8 facilities, potable water, toilets, etc., (e.g., federal and state parks); b. Primitive sites, with an absolute minimum of amenities; c. RV sites which make specific provision for utilization and occupancy by RV's.

Frequently, a sing~e family. campground may actually include provis.ion for all of ·these 'optional sites.

RESIDENT CAMPS There are four types of resident camp~. They include: Rasidant Youth camps: Organized youth camping involves a group of youth who are under the direction and care of responsible and trained adults; the programs generally have specific educational and growth goals. -The learning occurs as a resul t of a variety of recreational and experiential activities in an outdoor setting. Resident camps typically are at least 4 days in length and may extend to several weeks. They are often theme based - using a marine environment, a mountain environment, sports, or adventures - to help children learn new skills and discuss new understanding about themselves and each other.' Environmental Education Camps: School en environmental camps provide a setting for school children to' study their relationships. in and to the natural world, using a resident learning experience •. The effectiveness of the experience is confirmed by the fact that many classroom teachers seek the experience for their stUdents and arrange for funding (typically not available through their. school district) • This type of camping provides effectiveness of learning about the environment through hands-on experience, and in addition it adds integrated social, emotional and cognitive benefits to the classroom. Retreat and conference facilities provide settings for the two following models:

9 Retreating: Generally involve a group of 10- 75 persons, engaged in an experience led by a selected leader(s). Usually, all parts of the program are integrated, flowing smoothly through a structured sequence of experiences with all members participating in the same set of activities; generally, there is a relatively small amount of optional time. It is most effective to have facilities "under one roof" to enhance the continuity and the building of rela~ionships.

Con~.rencing: Generally involve a group of 50-200 'persons (or more), organized by a director or steering committee, and led by a variety of trained staff. The program is focused around a common theme but allows participants opportunities to choose specific activities. The schedule of options is coordinated but participants are usually. not expected to function as a total group except for major plenary sessions or keynotes, and probably meals. Often conference centers are designed as campuses with a variety of housing and recreation options. BOSTELS Hostels are "live-in" facilities which generally provide an appropriate stop-over locale for travelers who are on a planned journey of varying length, distance and duration. The range of service provided is quite variable, but for the most part, hostels tend to incJ,.ude: --Dormitory type accommodations --Minimum kitchen facilities to be used by hostel residents --toilet facilities and related amenities --lounge space Length of stay in hostels varies from place to place, but frequently a maximum of four to seven days may be established. Fees are generally developed to accommodate complete operational cost recovery.

10 Schedule II EBRPD CAMP GUIDELINES & CRITERIA

Until now the District has no"t had a set of detailed written facility standards for its campgrounds located throughout the Regional Park system; lacking these standards it has been difficult to formulate a practical program plan to fund and operate the District's camping program. Some sites have been planned and developed using capital funds, while others have evolved using field planning and operational funds. The following sets of proposed facility guidelines (criteria) have been developed for each of the major camp types, in order to guide staff in achieVing consistency in design and development of new sites and rehabilitation of current sites; the guidelines will also serve as "a basis for determining financing requirements. All proposed camping programs will be consistent with District planninq process and CEQA conformance, and will provide appropriate access for physically challenged persons. It should be noted that as the District gains experience with the actual camping programs, there maybe a need to revise the guidelines, and that for individual facilities' in specific locations, variation in design or operation will be required. Attached to these guidelines and criteria are maps indicating location of existing facilities and proposed general anticipated locations of additional potential sites. Defining these guidelines will establish a basis for determining future financial commitments required to implement the camping program, compatible with available District funding and CEQA conformity. In the following pages, each type of camping, program is described. "A. DAY CAMPS

1. Generally the day camp ' program will utilize existing group reservable picnic ~reas or group camp areas, on ',' weekd~¥! ,m-~~l~.)~e mRi ~ tri c:~~ w~ill identify ~~ r_lJ~ ··U"1ll~iJ..~7JJiYi-._~'!!.wnallY spread -'~H5tit,.. " tHe 0.: sys tem as focus day camps'ites. The criteria for selecting the day camps is as follows:

a. Bec~use day camps utilize existing group camp areas (or reservable picnic areas) the operating standards are consistent with those described under group camps (pages 14-16). b. Reservable group picnic areas normally have a full complement of tables, cooking facilities, potable water and public restrooms. Each site will have a different combination of recreational amenities

11 depending on location, i.e., swimming, fishing, meadows, nature study, etc. c. Lockable storage shelter for supplies and equipment will be provided. 2. Optional Amenities (in general these will be provided at all premier day camps and many of the other day camps): a. Temporary storage facility fdr user organization office and camp equipment b. Telephone access (reservation permit will list. 9losest public telephone in the park) c. Use for a single week-night overnight camp for day campers 3. General Considerations for Day Camps The District will: a. Explore new and expanded partnerships with both profit and non-profit groups., and also to encourage maximum utilization.

b. Develop sites that are within ~ hour or less drive of the individual cities within the District. c. Develop a geographic and demographic distribution of day camps that will encompass the entire District. d. Enter into agreements with organized youth, non profit groups, for one or more years, at specific sites in order to enable these groups to develop their program with knowledge that a site will be available. e. Allows sites to go unused for appropriate periods of time in order to relieve environmental impacts,

, i • e.o erosion and compaction. Provide short-term windows of downtime for camps. f. Emphasize development and operation of,sites which provide opportunities for theme camps. (Examples: Water Activities, Wilderness, Science, History etc. ) g. Develop sites that are separate and identifiable, either physically or by time.

12 B. BACKPACK/TREKKING CAMP 1. All use will be subject to District reservation process. 2. Camps will be located in areas that consider proximity to and :potential negative impact on neighbors. Also, location of the camp and camper capacity will be conditioned by sensitivity to the carrying capacity of the park. 3. Typical camps will serve from 20-3Q campers. There will be individual and group use options. · .

4. Typical sites will accommodate hikers, cyclis~s, and equestrians. 5. Appropriate sign posting will advise users to assume responsibility for clean-up after use. 6. Core facility standards include: 7. Cooking Areas and Facilities: a. No open fires; backpack stoves only b. 1 potable water faucet per campsite (if feasible) c. Provide a cleared space(s) for tents d. 1 standard, animal-proof garbage container per campsite, but encourage campers to pack out what they bring in 8. . Access: a. Camps will be located near or on inter-park trails, with a 5-10· mile spacing, depending on terrain to be covered. Loops with 5 mile spacings will be located for weekend hikes from staging areas. b. tJhere appropriate, these camps may be located within a Regional Park or other public or private agency park facility.

9. -===Restrooms: a. 2 or 3 toilets per campsite (flush or chemical)

13 10. Optional Amenities: a. Hitching rail and water trough for as many as 5 horses per camp b. Lockable feed storage for equestrian use c. Picnic Tables d. Trail Maps 11. Parking and Access: a. The reservation system will have designated parking areas; overnight parking passes will be issued to allow hikers to start or finish at convenient locations along the Regional Trail system.

b. Where access by all users (i .e, horse, hike, & bike) can not be accommodated by trails leading to campsites, the District will explore alternative routes and additional "bypass" campsites. C. GROUP CAMPS 1. Location of a group facility within a Regional Park and the total camper capacity will be limited by environmental sensitivity of the park, as well as proximity to and potential impact on neighbors. 2. Typical group sites will accommodate approximately 50, 100, or 150 dependent upon holding capacity and other park resources. 3. Most group areas will be available for day camp use during the week. 4. Core facility standards include: 5. Cooking Areas and Facilities:

a. Fi~e clearance of 30' around each cooking facility, with a 10' diameter bare soil b. 1 fire ring and grill, or other appropriate cooking ~acilities and table per 15 campers· c. 1 group barbecue with serving and preparation counter per 50 campers and 5 tables

14 d. 1 potable water fountain per cooking area (maximum 50 campers)

e. 1 standard animal-proof garbage container per 20 campers f. Recycle bins 6. Parking and Access: a. Group camp sites will be 'served by an all-weather access road and/or by trails b. Passes will be provided for 10 cars for 50 campers, with 2 designated parking spaces per 50 campers at camp site; also available will be 8 overnight auto parking spaces (off site) in the park per 50 campers or 1 bus space per 35 campers. c. Each camp site will have a cleared, flat site for tents or sleeping accommodations, on a ratio of 1 site per 8 campers. 7. Restrooms, Sinks and Showers Will Include:

a. ~ fully accessible toilet for each camp; additional toilet facilities will be provided for disabled campers b. 1 standard toilet seat for 25 campers Note: The current provision is 1 to 50. The Task Force recommended 1 to 25 as both appropriate and more financially feasible. Recent contact with camping organizations confirm that 1 in 25 is appropriate. ' c. 1 accessible hand-washing basin for each 25 campers 8. Optional Amenities May Include: a. Telephone access (if utilities are available) b. 1 large group fire circle per 50 campers with seating

c. 1 acre meadow per 100 campers

d. 1 shelter, approximately 20' x 20'. e. 1 shower facility (1 head per 15 campers)

15 f. Horse facilities (storage container, water access, tie lines or stalls, horse troughs) g. Bulletin board with EBRPD materials, i.e., - Map of District facilities - Fee Schedules - Trails Maps - Facility Operational Rules D. FAMILY CAMPGROUNDS 1. The number of uni t·s in a· family campground will be determined by planning criteria appropriate for the specific site. 2. Each unit in a family campground typically will accommodate up to 10 people either 2 automobiles or 1 automobile and a smaller R.V., or 1 larger R.V. 3. Cooking Areas and Facilities: a. 1 fire ring and grill per site b. 1 picnic table per site c. Fire clearance 30' around each cooking facility with a 10' diameter bare soil. 4. Parking: a. Maximum 2 vehicles per. site (40' level and surfaced) b. Off-site. parking area for 10% of campground vehicles to ·accommodate visitors and guests 5. Restrooms, Sinks, Showers, Facilities to be Provided: a. 1 fully accessible toilet seat per building b. 1 standard toilet seat per 5 campsite c. 1 showerhead per 5 campsites d. 1 hand-washing sink basin per 5 campsites e. Thermostatic control of all hot water f. 1 deep sink basin per 10 campsites (hot and cold water)

16 6. General Amenities to be Provided: a. Telephone access (up to one per 20 sites depending on need) b. Potable water faucets located throughout camp (generally 1 per 5 sites) c. Animal-proof garbage containers located throughout camp (generally 2 yds/8 sites) . d. Flat graded site, generally 300 sq. ft., for tents, table and cooking area e. Half-acre meadow per 5 sites f. Restrooms will include interior and exterior night lighting on timers or sensors g. Recycling bins located throughout camp (1 per 20 sites) h. Bulletin boards with EBRPD materials, i.e., - Map of District facilities - Fee Schedules - Trails Maps .. Facility Operational Rules 7. Length of o'ccupancy: A campsite could be rented for a m~n~mum of one overnight up to a maximum of 14 consecuttve nights in accordance with Ordinance #38. 8. RV Special Requirements: In general RV camp grounds would require the same facilities and amenities as the other family camp ground~ except that for those family camp grounds designated for RV ~tilization a utility hook-up also will be provided. Parking provision in a site intended for RV use would be limited to space for one RV. E. RESIDENTIAL CAMPS and F. HOSTELS Detailed criteria for these potential activi ties will be determined and then defined after considerable discussion with qualified operators of these types of activities. These will be presented to the Operations Committee, Park Advisory Committee, and the full Board of Directors in a subsequent report.

CPNG-TSK.PLN/JK 4/10/96

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Attachment EXISTING RESERVABLE DISTRICT CAMPS

B FAMILY CAMPS # WALK- MAP Available # HOOK- # DRIVE- IN KEY PARK For: UP SITES TO SITES SITES 1 Anthony Chabot Public Use 9 46 10 ADA 1 2 0 Buffer Sites 2 5 0 Total 12 53 10 2 Del Valle Public Use 19 123 0 ADA 0 2 0 Buffer Sites 1 5 0 Total 20 130 0 3 Sunol - Closed for Public Use 0 0 4 Calaveras Dam ADA 0 0 0 Replacement Project Buffer Sites 0 0 0 Total 0 0 4 Source: East Bay Regional Park District

MAP PARK SITE NAME SITE GROUP BACKPACK EQUESTRIAN KEY CAPACITY CAMP CAMP CAMP 4 Anthony Chabot Puma Point 50 l (Developed) 4 Anthony Chabot Bort Meadow - 300 l l Seasonal 4 Anthony Chabot El Venado 35 l 4 Anthony Chabot Hawk Ridge 150 l 4 Anthony Chabot Lookout Ridge 50 l 4 Anthony Chabot Lost Ridge 100 l 4 Anthony Chabot Two Rocks 50 l l 5 Black Diamond Star Mine 35 6 Black Diamond Stewartville 20 l l 7 Briones Maud Whalen 75 l 8 Briones Wee-Ta-Chi 50 l 9 Briones Homestead Valley 300 l 10 Coyote Hills Dairy Glen 50 l 11 Del Valle Wild Turkey 50 l (Developed) 12 Del Valle Punta Vaca 75 l (Developed)

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

MAP PARK SITE NAME SITE GROUP BACKPACK EQUESTRIAN KEY CAPACITY CAMP CAMP CAMP 13 Del Valle Ardilla 50 l 14 Del Valle Cedar Camp - Seasonal 50 l 15 Del Valle Eagles View 50 l 16 Del Valle Hetch Hetchy 150 l 17 Del Valle Venados 50 l 18 Del Valle Horse Camp 1 - Little 4 l Chaparral Del Valle Horse Camp 2 - Little 4 l Chaparral Del Valle Horse Camp 3 - Little 4 l Chaparral Del Valle Horse Camp 4 - Little 4 l Chaparral 19 Del Valle Caballo Loco 50 l l 20 Garin Arroyo Flats 75 l 21 Las Trampas Corral 30 l l 22 Morgan Morgan Camp - 20 l l Territory Seasonal 23 Mission Peak Eagle Spring 1 (in 10 l Ohlone) Mission Peak Eagle Spring 2 (in 10 l Ohlone) Mission Peak Eagle Spring 3 (in 10 l Ohlone) Mission Peak Eagle Spring 4 (in 10 l Ohlone) 24 Ohlone Sycamore 5 l Ohlone Star's Rest 30 l Ohlone Hawk's Nest 5 l Ohlone Eagle's Eyrie 10 l Ohlone Sky Camp 5 l Ohlone Cathedral 10 l Ohlone Oak View 5 l 25 Ohlone Doe Camp 1 14 l Ohlone Doe Camp 2 10 l 26 Ohlone Maggie's 1 16 l Ohlone Maggie's 2 14 l Ohlone Maggie's 3 4 l 27 Ohlone Stewart's Camp 24 l 28 Ohlone Boyd Camp 1 8 l Ohlone Boyd Camp 2 16 l 29 Pt. Pinole Pt. Pinole Group Camp 35 l 30 Redwood Fern Dell - Seasonal 50 l 31 Redwood Girl's Camp - Seasonal 75 l 32 Redwood Trail's End - Seasonal 25 l 33 Round Valley Round Valley Group 25 l l l Camp 34 Sibley Backpack Camp 15 l

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

MAP PARK SITE NAME SITE GROUP BACKPACK EQUESTRIAN KEY CAPACITY CAMP CAMP CAMP 35 Sunol - Closed FAM 1 8 l Sunol - Closed FAM 2 8 l Sunol - Closed FAM 3 8 l Sunol - Closed FAM 4 8 l 36 Sunol - Closed Persimmon - Seasonal 50 l 37 Sunol - Closed High Valley Camp 50 l 38 Sunol - Closed School Camp 50 l 39 Tilden Gillespie 75 l 40 Tilden ES Anderson 50 l Equestrian Camp 41 Tilden New Woodland 50 l 42 Tilden Wildcat View 75 l 43 Del Valle Camp Arroyo (Resident 144 Camp) * Developed Group Sites are located within family camps and have access to showers.

Source: East Bay Regional Park District

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Attachment FACILITY C GUIDELINES Principally derived from the District’s Camp Guidelines & Criteria (Resolution No. 1996-4- 80, 1996) the table below lists the presence of features that represent an “ideal” for individual camp types. Landscape setting, natural resource constraints, development feasibility, benefits of providing variety in camping experiences, and site management considerations will determine the appropriate facilities at each camp on a case-by-case basis.

CAMP TYPE

CHARACTERISTIC Family (1) Group Residential Backpack Equestrian Camp Day Hostels Vehicular access (all weather road) u u u u u u RV access u Parking u u u u u u Off-site parking area u ADA access u u u m m u u Potable water u u u m m u u Electrical supply (RV hookups) u u Electrical supply (General) u u u m u Lockable storage u Temporary storage facility u m Restrooms u u u u u u u Shower facility (hot water) u u u u RV pump-out sanitation station u Hitching rail and water trough u Lockable feed storage for equestrian use u Fire grill / barbecue u u u u Animal-proof garbage containers u u u u u u u Large group fire circle u u Bulletin board u u u u u Half-acre meadow u m Recycling bins u u u u u u Telephone access (2) u u u u u u u u Recommended, m As feasible, (1) Group camps are to accommodate from 30 to 150 people. Recommended facilities shown are for “developed” group camps allowing that other group camps with fewer amenities may be appropriate. (2) To be evaluated on a case-by-case basis dependent on existing and anticipated cellular telephone coverage and type of camp being considered.

June 5, 2014 (Draft) Attachment C-1

Attachment

D PICNIC SITE USE

DAILY USE BY PICNIC SITE: SUMMER 2013 DAYS

PICNIC SITE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY TOTAL ARD: E-I-O Picnic Area (50) 7 3 6 16 BRI: Crow Picnic Area (50) 2 2 BRI: Newt Hollow Picnic Area (150) 3 1 1 1 1 2 10 19 BRI: Oak Grove Picnic Area (50) 1 1 6 8 CON: Cattail Cove Picnic Area (150) 1 6 7 CON: Locust Grove Picnic Area (200) 1 1 CON: Loma Island Picnic Area (150) 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 12 CON: Lupine Rocks Picnic Area (50) 1 6 7 CON: Meadow Lark Picnic Area (50) 3 10 13 CON: Redwing Picnic Area (50) 3 7 10 COY: Hoot Hollow Picnic Area (75) 4 1 2 7 CRO: City View Picnic Area (75) 9 1 3 12 25 CRO: Crolls Garden Picnic Area (100) 11 1 1 2 2 6 10 33 CRO: Mariner's Lagoon Picnic Area (50) 11 1 1 1 6 12 32 CRO: Neptune Picnic Area (150) 2 3 3 5 6 7 8 34 CRO: Sand Castle Picnic Area (75) 6 1 1 10 18 CRO: Seawind Picnic Area (200) 2 3 3 4 3 4 5 24 CUL: Cabana Picnic Area (50) 14 1 2 14 31 CUL: Creekview Picnic Area (100) 3 3 CUL: Deer Run Picnic Area (75) 2 4 6 CUL: Footbridge Picnic Area (150) 2 1 1 8 12 CUL: Maple Picnic Area (150) 1 2 3 CUL: Oak Knoll-North Picnic Area (50) 3 5 8 CUL: Oak Knoll-South Picnic Area (75) 1 1 DEL: Agua Vista Picnic Area (150) 5 1 1 8 15 DEL: Arroyo Mocho Picnic Area (150) 2 8 10 DEL: Beach View Picnic Area (50) 12 2 4 14 32 DEL: Cedar Mount View Picnic Area (50) 2 9 11 DEL: Coyote Corner Picnic Area (50) 2 12 14 DEL: Fiesta Grande Picnic Area (500) 2 1 1 5 9 DEL: Gray Pine Picnic Area (50) 4 1 12 17 DEL: Lichen Bark Picnic Area (300) 2 1 4 7

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

DAILY USE BY PICNIC SITE: SUMMER 2013 DAYS

PICNIC SITE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY TOTAL DEL: Oak Point Picnic Area (150) 2 1 7 10 DEL: School House Flats Picnic Area(150) 1 5 6 DEL: Shady Oak Picnic Area (75) 1 10 11 DEL: Valley Oak Picnic Area (75) 3 11 14 DEL: Vista Del Lago Picnic Area (35) 8 13 21 DIA: Castle Tree Picnic Area (100) 1 1 1 7 10 DIA: Castle View Picnic Area (50) 1 1 4 6 DIA: Eddybrook Picnic Area (100) 1 1 2 DIA: Ford's Well Picnic Area (100) 1 5 6 DIA: Pine Creek Picnic Area (50) 1 1 5 7 DIA: Pool Oak Terrace Picnic Area (100) 7 1 1 2 3 3 11 28 DIA: Shady Glen Picnic Area (50) 1 1 2 4 DIA: Stagecoach Picnic Area (50) 1 1 4 6 DON: Green Heron Picnic Area (50) 12 2 1 13 28 DON: Red Oak Picnic Area (35) 9 2 11 22 DON: Siesta Picnic Area (100) 3 1 1 1 1 1 11 19 DON: Twilight Picnic Area (50) 2 6 8 DON: Vista Hermosa Picnic Area (35) 6 2 11 19 DON: Whispering Creek Picnic Area (75) 5 13 18 GAR: Buttonwood Picnic Area (100) 2 2 2 2 2 4 14 GAR: Cattlemen's Picnic Area (100) 1 1 3 1 1 6 13 GAR: Pioneer Picnic Area (50) 1 1 1 3 1 1 6 14 GAR: Ranchside Picnic Area (100) 2 2 2 2 2 5 15 KEN: Abbie Lane Picnic Area (75) 4 1 1 1 9 16 KEN: Clancy's Place Picnic Area (200) 7 1 1 5 14 KEN: Frenchmen's Curve Picnic Area (350) 2 1 1 2 3 9 KEN: Hitching Post Picnic Area (75) 4 1 11 16 KEN: Laurel Glen Picnic Area (100) 4 1 8 13 KEN: Olinda Station Picnic Area (50) 6 10 16 KEN: Whistle Stop Picnic Area (50) 11 1 10 22 LCH: Cove Picnic Area (200) 2 1 1 1 9 14 LCH: Elderberry Picnic Area (150) 7 1 1 2 12 23 LCH: Heron Picnic Area (75) 8 12 20 LCH: Mallard Picnic Area (50) 14 1 1 3 14 33 LCH: Turtle Picnic Area (100) 6 1 1 12 20 LCH: Willow Picnic Area (150) 4 9 13 MIL: Big Meadow Picnic Area (100) 1 1

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

DAILY USE BY PICNIC SITE: SUMMER 2013 DAYS

PICNIC SITE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY TOTAL MIL: Canvasback Picnic Area (100) 2 2 MIL: Hills View Picnic Area (75) 4 4 MIL: Killdeer Picnic Area (150) 1 1 1 3 MIL: Lagoon View Picnic Area (50) 1 1 6 8 MIL: Marsh Hawk Picnic Area (100) 1 2 3 MIL: Pickleweed Picnic Area (50) 1 2 3 MIL: Pintail Picnic Area (200) 2 2 MIL: Sea Gull Picnic Area (200) 1 1 2 4 MLK: Blue Heron Picnic Area (150) 1 1 1 3 MLK: Egret Picnic Area (50) 1 1 2 MLK: Kingfisher Picnic Area (35) 1 1 2 MLK: Pelican Picnic Area (150) 5 1 1 3 10 20 MLK: Plover Picnic Area (50) 1 2 3 MLK: Rail Picnic Area (150) 1 3 4 MLK: Tern Picnic Area (150) 1 4 5 PTP: Giant Cluster Picnic Area (150) 1 1 2 PTP: Shoreline Picnic Area (100) 1 2 3 PTP: The Palms Picnic Area (50) 1 1 4 6 QUA: Lampert Knoll Picnic Area (50) 11 1 1 12 25 QUA: Niles Picnic Area (35) 5 8 13 QUA: North Ensenada Picnic Area (200) 8 3 2 13 26 QUA: Osprey Picnic Area (50) 9 1 1 12 23 QUA: South Ensenada Picnic Area (200) 6 1 12 19 RED: Old Church Picnic Area (50) 4 4 4 4 4 7 27 RED: Owl Picnic Area (150) 1 1 1 1 3 7 RED: Quail Picnic Area (150) 2 1 4 7 ROB: Anna Costa Picnic Area (50) 1 4 5 ROB: Bay Vista Picnic Area (300) 2 11 11 11 10 11 10 66 ROB: Diablo Vista Picnic Area (150) 3 11 11 11 10 10 8 64 ROB: Huckleberry Picnic Area (100) 10 1 2 2 3 5 12 35 ROB: Madrone Picnic Area (50) 9 2 1 13 25 ROB: Manzanita Picnic Area (300) 10 10 10 9 9 5 53 ROB: Oak Picnic Area (35) 14 1 1 14 30 ROB: Redwood Bowl Picnic Area (50) 6 3 2 9 20 ROB: Roberts Grove Picnic Area (35) 10 14 24 ROB: Sycamore Picnic Area (50) 14 1 1 3 14 33 SHA: Fiesta Picnic Area (100) 3 2 1 5 11

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

DAILY USE BY PICNIC SITE: SUMMER 2013 DAYS

PICNIC SITE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY TOTAL SHA: Lago Del Sol Picnic Area (100) 4 1 1 10 16 SHA: Lakeside Picnic Area (200) 2 2 2 3 3 2 4 18 SHA: Marina View Picnic Area (75) 5 1 9 15 SHA: North Beach Picnic Area (50) 7 1 14 22 SHA: Seven Limbs Picnic Area (100) 2 1 9 12 TEM: Big Rock Picnic Area (50) 14 9 9 10 10 11 14 77 TEM: Landvale Picnic Area (75) 14 5 1 3 2 7 13 45 TEM: North Temescal Picnic Area (150) 11 6 3 10 5 11 13 59 TEM: Parkview Picnic Area (75) 12 1 5 14 32 TEM: Streamside Picnic Area (75) 14 4 6 6 7 11 13 61 TIL: Big Leaf Picnic Area (50) 12 2 5 6 3 14 42 TIL: Buckeye Picnic Area (50) 11 10 10 11 9 10 12 73 TIL: Carousel Picnic Area (35) 12 2 1 2 12 29 TIL: Fern Picnic Area (50) 12 1 1 1 1 12 28 TIL: Island Picnic Area (75) 6 1 1 2 1 9 20 TIL: Lakeview Picnic Area (50) 7 2 11 20 TIL: Laurel Picnic Area (150) 11 8 8 8 7 10 12 64 TIL: Meadows Picnic Area (50) 12 12 9 11 5 11 13 73 TIL: Mineral Springs Picnic Area (150) 1 2 4 7 TIL: Orchard Picnic Area (50) 7 10 10 10 9 9 12 67 TIL: Padre Picnic Area (150) 12 9 3 7 4 7 14 56 TIL: Quarry Picnic Area (35) 6 7 13 TIL: Willows Picnic Area (100) 5 2 1 13 21 WIL: Acacia Picnic Area (35) 4 1 10 15 WIL: Alvarado Picnic Area (200) 1 8 9 WIL: Bay Picnic Area (100) 2 1 7 10 WIL: Elderberry Picnic Area (50) 6 2 1 12 21 Grand Total 609 150 133 172 158 231 1042 2495

Source: East Bay Regional Park District

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Attachment

CAMP PRIORITY E EVALUATIONS

Family Camps Anthony Chabot Regional Park– Convenience Camping Expansion • Policy: Convenience camps are not directly recognized in the current District’s camp policies. • Immediate Benefit: High. If developed and based on current demand at the existing camp, use would likely be immediate. Individual camp costs would be include new access routes, structures, and new restroom facility. • Capital Improvement Cost: Dependent on upgrade and modernization of entire water supply and wastewater systems to camp areas. • Standards and Codes: Two units would be required that include mobility features. • Management: Existing staff in place. Some seasonal help may be required to maintain enclosed structures. • Partnership: Low potential. Number of potential convenience camps not conducive to concession operation unless entire campground was under contract.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Brickyard • Policy: Would require amendment of existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: Given the stetting and general lack of overnight camp facilities in northern Contra Costa County, likely popular. • Capital Improvement Cost: High. See Attachment G. • Standards and Codes: Depending on program, a number of sites would be required that include mobility features. The general valley area could be graded easily for access considerations. On-site water is available, but would require treatment / testing on an on-going basis. Opportunity for septic and leach field system on site. • Management: Development of site would add a significant new use facility to the District requiring additional staff. Fees generated from campground would help support increased staff levels. • Partnership: Potentially could be considered as a concession facility.

Dumbarton Quarry • Policy: Existing LUP and development / operations agreements in place with Dumbarton Quarry Associates. • Immediate Benefit: High. Would likely capture local and regional visitation including some RV tourists arriving at San Francisco, San Jose, or Oakland airports who now use the family camp at Anthony Chabot Regional Park upon arrival / departure. • Capital Improvement Cost: Development / operations agreements in place with Dumbarton Quarry Associates. • Standards and Codes: Based on 65 sites as presented in concept plan for the Phase 1 RV park improvements, four sites would be required that include mobility features.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

• Management: Operations agreements in place. Fees generated from campground would help support increased staff levels. • Partnership: Dumbarton Quarry Associates.

Delta Access Regional Recreation Area • Policy: No LUP exists. • Immediate Benefit: Likely. There are many RV parks within the Delta. But many of these are not in a park setting. The most similar facility would be Brannan Island State Recreation Area. At 273 acres, there is ample opportunity to develop a variety of use facilities (overnight family, group, and water trail camps), group and individual picnic areas, and swimming opportunities Use would be somewhat dependent on the variety of recreation opportunities provided and the natural qualities of the site development (formerly a level farmed area). • Capital Improvement Cost: High. • Standards and Codes: Topography is not a problem. Depending on program, a number of campsites would be required to include mobility features. Accessible launching ramps would be needed for water trail camp development. The general valley area could be graded easily for access considerations. On-site water is available, but would require treatment / testing on an on-going basis. Opportunity for septic and leach field system on site. • Management: Development of site would add a significant new use facility to the District requiring additional staff. Fees generated from campground would help support increased staff levels. • Partnership: Potentially the California Division of Boating and Waterways for water trail launch and camp access.

Sunol / Ohlone – Convenience Camping Conversion • Policy: Camping already included in LUP. Convenience camps are not directly recognized in the current District’s camp policies. • Immediate Benefit: Likely high. • Capital Improvement Cost: Moderate. Would include new access routes, structures, and potentially a new restroom facility. • Standards and Codes: Assuming there were ten sites, two units would be required that include mobility features. • Management: Development of convenience camp facilities would replace existing overnight camps and not present significant new use requiring additional staff. Fees generated from campground would help support any increased part-time staff levels that may be warranted. • Partnership: Low potential. Number of potential convenience camps not conducive to concession operation unless entire campground was under contract.

Group Camps Carquinez Strait – Eckley • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

• Immediate Benefit: Would mostly benefit nearby residents of Crockett and Rodeo. The site is approximately 150 feet away from the Carquinez Scenic Drive with minimal sense of remoteness. Steep pedestrian access to the day-use area. • Capital Improvement Cost: Moderate. Water lines would need to be extended uphill from existing day use area. Moderate grading required to create access, parking, and level use area. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. Access between the camp area and the day use area problematic. • Management: The area is already managed. Minimal, if any, additional staffing would be required. • Partnership: None at this time.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - Shepard Canyon • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: With opening of the Carquinez Scenic Trail (also the Bay Trail) the site provides an opportunity not now immediately available to residents of nearby Martinez and other northern Contra Costa communities. Access to the Franklin Hills trail system would support the camp. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low to Moderate. See Attachment G. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. Access between the camp area and the day use area problematic. • Management: The area is already managed. Minimal, if any, additional staffing would be required. • Partnership: None at this time.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Brickyard: See description for family camping above.

Crocket Hills Regional Park– Black Ranch Valley • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: Possibly. A group camp would be supported by nearby residents in Rodeo, Hercules, Pinole and north Richmond who already have direct access to group camping at Point Pinole. Could potentially be considered as a backpack camp as it is located near the Bay Area Ridge Trail. • Capital Improvement Cost: Moderate. Existing vehicular access is limited to summer months. Nearest staging area is two miles away. Full facility improvements would be needed an include all-weather road upgrade, well and water storage, grading, restrooms, and irrigation. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Development of site would add a new use facility to the District requiring some additional staff. • Partnership: None at this time.

Delta Access Regional Recreation Area: See description for family camping above.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness – Devil’s Hole • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP as a hike-in and ride-in only group camp for 30 persons separated from two backpacking sites for 10 persons each. • Immediate Benefit: Little to none. The site would not be large enough for youth groups and would be

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

unnecessary given the relatively low utilization of the Corral Group Camp near the Bollinger Canyon staging area. • Capital Improvement Cost: High. Would require improved road access for servicing. Water may not be available. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: The site is in a remote area and is a poor location to have any kind of camp due to difficult accessibility for staff to service the camp. Also, it may encourage trespassing because of proximity to neighboring private property and Cull Canyon Road. • Partnership: None at this time.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness – Honsaker Canyon • Policy: Would require LUP amendment and environmental review. Traffic associated with a group camp may be seen as undesirable by local residents. • Immediate Benefit: None. Area not currently open to the general public. If developed, would mostly benefit residents of nearby Lafayette. • Capital Improvement Cost: Moderate to high. Would require improved road access for servicing. May require local road improvements. Water may not be available. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Development of site would add a new use facility with access through the local road network through Lafayette. • Partnership: None at this time.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve - McClure Home Site • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: High. Would provide a group camp opportunity to the residents of Fremont and other nearby communities in an area of the District now lacking group camps. • Capital Improvement Cost: Moderate to high. See Attachment G. Site would require access road and water service improvements. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: The staging area off Stanford Road to access the Preserve is now operating at capacity. Additional parking capacity would be required. Location not ideal for overnight parking. While service and limited vehicular access could be provided off of Mill Creek road, campers would need to hike Stanford Road n Site located near an existing Preserve residence. Additional staffing needs would be minimal if any. • Partnership: None at this time.

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve – Jensen • Policy: Would require amendment and environmental review to existing Interim LUP. • Immediate Benefit: Little to some. Site is somewhat remote. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low to moderate. Water would need to be extended from existing staging area / residence.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

• Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Site located near an existing staging area and Preserve residence. Additional staffing needs would be minimal if any. • Partnership: None at this time.

Sibley Volcanic Preserve - McCosker: See also description for family camping above. • Policy: Would require LUP amendment and environmental review. • Immediate Benefit: Some. Poor vehicular access for busses or large vehicles from the west. Closest to the the Moraga area. • Capital Improvement Cost: Unknown. Water and electricity are readily available such that the upper bench could be improved as a developed group site. Access would be dependent on results of feasibility study now underway to daylight and restore the site creek system. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Development of site would add a new use facility to the District requiring some additional staff. This may be offset somewhat as there is an existing residence on the site that could be used to help manage the camp. • Partnership: None at this time.

Vargas Plateau – Tenderfoot Camp • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: High. Would provide a group camp opportunity to the residents of Union City and Fremont and other nearby communities in an area of the District now lacking group camps. • Capital Improvement Cost: Moderate. See Attachment G. Should be developed in coordination with backpack camp (see below) to reduce overall costs. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Development of site would add a new use facility to the District requiring some additional staff. This may be offset somewhat as there is an existing residence approximately 1/2 mile away that could be used to help manage the camp. Management would be combined with group camp (see above) • Partnership: None at this time.

Backpack Camps Briones - Homestead Valley • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP as a group camp. Would not require additional review if converted to a backpack / equestrian camp. • Immediate Benefit: Would provide a camp along the trail system connecting Tilden/Wildcat Canyon Regional Parks to Mount Diablo. Would provide a benefit for a camp site that is now significantly underutilized as a group site. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low. See Attachment G. Improvements would include new restrooms and hitching posts for equestrian use.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

• Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Site is in a park that is already fully staffed. If potable water service cannot be developed, trucking potable water to the site would be an additional challenge. The access road would not need improvement for public use. • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve • Policy: Would require amendment and environmental review to existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: None until regional trail system is complete. This would be considered a key stop along the trail. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low. Would be located near existing Preserve staging area and residence. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Site location and anticipated low level of use would not require additional staffing. • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Carquinez Strait – Franklin Hills • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: High. At a key location in the regional trail system. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low. See Attachment G. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Site would be accessed from the Nejedly staging area and Carquinez Scenic Trail. However, development of site would add a new use facility to the District requiring some additional staff. If potable water service cannot be developed, trucking potable water to the site would add to operational staffing. • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Diablo Foothills Regional Park • Policy: Would possibly require LUP amendment and environmental review. Camping is mentioned in the overall program but no sites are identified. • Immediate Benefit: Moderate. At a key location in the regional trail system. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low. See Attachment G. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Castle Rock Recreation Area is fully staffed and about 1/2 mile away. There is also vehicular access to a nearby water tank. Additional staffing to manage the camp may be minimal. • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park – Blacks Creek • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP as a site for up to 5 individuals. • Immediate Benefit: Some to none. Camp is not on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The site is located in a valley setting without distant views. There is no potable water. Little opportunity to combine with equestrian use.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

• Capital Improvement Cost: Minimal. If potable water were to be supplied it would need to be trucked in and that would likely require some access improvements and increased costs. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: While the staging area is fully staffed the camp site is approximately 3/4 mile away from the Dry Creek staging area and would require some increase in staffing to manage. No security residence to assure safe overnight parking. • Partnership: Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Garin Regional Park – Old Corral • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP as a site for up to 3 individuals. • Immediate Benefit: Minimal if by developed by itself; moderate to high if developed in unison with Palomares camp and marketed as the Ridge Trail. Camp is not on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The site is located in a valley setting without distant views. There is no potable water. Little opportunity to combine with equestrian use. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low to moderate. If potable water were to be supplied it would need to be trucked in and that would likely require some access improvements and increased costs. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: While the staging area is fully staffed the camp site is approximately 3/4 mile away from the Dry Creek staging area and would require some increase in staffing to manage. No security residence to assure safe overnight parking. • Partnership: Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Garin Regional Park – Palomares • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP as a site for up to 4 individuals. • Immediate Benefit: Minimal if by developed by itself; moderate to high if developed in unison with Old Corral camp and marketed as the Ridge Trail.. On the Bay Area Ridge Trail and approximately 6 miles away from the Old Corral backpack camp in Garin Regional Park. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low to moderate. Water sources include either extension of a nearby domestic water line below Llama Lane or development of a well. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: No security residence to assure safe overnight parking. • Partnership: Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness - Corral • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. The site is very close to the Corral Group Camp and the Little Hills Regional Recreation Area. It would not have a sense of remoteness as it is located within a heavily used area. • Immediate Benefit: Little to none. The Calaveras Ridge Trail is not complete. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Little Hills Regional Recreation Area is fully staffed. Additional staffing to manage the camp

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

would be minimal. • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Las Trampas – Devils Hole: see also group camp description above. The Calaveras Ridge Trail is not complete outside the Preserve. There is no security residence to assure safe overnight parking.

Las Trampas - Hunsaker Canyon: see also group camp description above. The Calaveras Ridge Trail is not complete outside the Preserve. There is no security residence to assure safe overnight parking.

Pleasanton Ridge - Sinbad Creek • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: Moderate. The Calaveras Ridge Trail is not complete and this site is not directly associated with it. However it would benefit local groups as a destination camp site. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low if water were not to be provided. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: There is no security residence to assure safe overnight parking • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Pleasanton Ridge - Aquila • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP. • Immediate Benefit: Little to none. The Calaveras Ridge Trail is not complete. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low if water were not to be provided. Camp could be easily constructed easily. City of Pleasanton water is may be available. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: There is no security residence to assure safe overnight parking. • Partnership: Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Wildcat Canyon Regional Park - Nimitz Way • Policy: Would possibly require LUP amendment and environmental review. Camping is mentioned in the overall program but no sites are identified. • Immediate Benefit: High. On the Bay Area Ridge Trail and approximately 5 miles away from the Sibley Volcanic Preserve backpack camp. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low if water were not to be provided. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Site is easily accessible from Tilden Regional Park as it is located at the end of the paved portion of Nimitz Way. Tilden Regional Park is fully staffed with other overnight camp facilities. • Partnership: Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Vargas Plateau – North Plateau • Policy: Identified in the existing LUP.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

• Immediate Benefit: High. On the Bay Area Ridge Trail and approximately 8 miles away from the existing Eagle Springs backpack camp in Mission Peak Regional Park, and 4 miles away from the Old Corral backpack camp in Garin Regional Park. • Capital Improvement Cost: Low. See Attachment G. Should be developed in coordination with Tenderfoot Group Camp (see above) to reduce overall costs. • Standards and Codes: Features would have to be ADA compliant. • Management: Security residence approximately 1/2 mile away. Management would be combined with group camp (see above) • Partnership: Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Possibly equestrian groups and hiking clubs.

Water Trail Camps Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - Eckley • Policy: The LUP for the Regional Shoreline references providing guest docking space for overnight stays and a group camp area in the Eckley highlands. However the group camp area is located well away from the Bay’s edge and would not function as a water trail camp. The existing day use area is ideally suited for limited camping on a reservation bases and for one night only. • Immediate Benefit: Could be marketed as a trail route in conjunction with Point Pinole. Eckley is approximately 10 shoreline miles from the existing Point Pinole camp. These two camps could be combined for a three-day excursion between many points along the shoreline. However, the water trail is a new idea for the San Francisco Bay and supporting use levels may require marketing • Capital Improvement Cost: Minimal. The existing dock would need to be retrofitted to support kayak launching. Other improvements needed would be limited to signage signage and potentially convenience camp amenities. • Standards and Codes: ADA access ramps would be required on the launching addition to the dock. Also, railroad crossing gates would need to be retrofitted to be ADA compliant (opening width, accommodations for deaf and blind). • Management: The Eckley area has established management presence. Strict camping hours would need to be established coordinated with other group picnic use permits for the area. • Partnership: As a designated HOS site of the Bay Water Trail, such conversion would have the support of both the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Division of Boating and Waterways.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - Brickyard • Policy: Site would require an LUP amendment not only for shoreline use as a water trail camp but for use of the entire valley. • Immediate Benefit: Eckley is approximately 2 shoreline miles away from Brickyard and may be redundant. • Capital Improvement Cost: High. A water trail camp separate from other inland improvements could be developed in the meadows between the shoreline and the railroad tracks. A significant new dock with a kayak launching platform would be required. The cost of developing the infrastructure for a water trail camp would benefit from the camp being one part of a development plan for the overall site. • Standards and Codes: All improvements assumed to be constructed to current code requirements.

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• Management: The Brickyard area will likely require expanded District operations staff. • Partnership: As a designated HOS site of the Bay Water Trail, such conversion would have the support of both the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Division of Boating and Waterways.

Bay Point • Policy: Development of an canoe/kayak access route to the shoreline and launch site is within the LUP. • Immediate Benefit: Minimal. Bay Point is identified a the easternmost point of the Bay Water Trail. It is identified as a launch site in the Bay Water Trail Plan. As a camp, it would serve little use. Until such time as a specific plan is established for the San Joaquin River Blueway, development of a camp should be deferred. • Capital Improvement Cost: Relatively minor as the slough/marsh setting is ideal for beach access not requiring a dock. • Standards and Codes: ADA access ramps may be challenging • Management: Bay Point area has an established management presence. • Partnership: None at this time.

Big Break: • Policy: Designation as a camp would require an LUP amendment. • Immediate Benefit: Minimal. Big Break is not at this time identified as a component of the Bay Water Trail. As a camp, it would serve little use until such time as a specific plan is established for the San Joaquin River Blueway that might connect with the Bay Water Trail. Consideration of camp development should be deferred. • Capital Improvement Cost: Minimal. The existing dock would need to be retrofitted to support kayak launching. Other improvements needed would be limited to signage and potentially convenience camp amenities. • Standards and Codes: ADA access ramps would be required on the launching addition to the dock. Strict camping hours would need to be established and coordinated with other group picnic use permits for the area. • Management: Big Break area has an established management presence. • Partnership: None at this time.

Delta Access Regional Recreation Area: • Policy: Site requires an LUP. • Immediate Benefit: None. • Capital Improvement Cost: The cost of developing launching facilities and the infrastructure for a water trail camp would benefit from the camp being one part of a development plan for the overall site. • Standards and Codes: All improvements assumed to be constructed to current code requirements. • Management: Use of the site area will require expanded District operations staff. • Partnership: None at this time.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

Attachment

F TYPES OF RVS Source: http://www.rv-coach.com/rv/types/classes/rv_types.html

Recreational vehicles combine transportation and temporary living accommodations for travel, recreation and camping. RVs cover a wide range of interests and budgets.

The RV world is generally divided into two broad categories: motorized RVs and towable RVs. Motorized RVs combine a motor vehicle chassis and living quarters in single unit. Under motorized RVs, you'll find class A, class B, and class C motorhomes. Towable RVs are designed to be towed by a car, van, SUV, or pickup truck, but are small enough so as not to require a special highway movement permit. Under towable RVs, the accepted sub- categories are travel trailers, folding camping trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers.

Motorized RVs

Class A Motorhomes: are generally the top dogs of the RV world. Units range in weight from 15,000 to 30,000 pounds and stretch from 30 to 40 feet in length. Describing them as "motorhomes" is no exaggeration. Class A units come with almost every creature comfort you would expect in a home, minus the front lawn. They are frequently constructed on custom undercarriages or on a 3-10 ton truck chassis. Many Class A motorhomes also feature an automatic slideout. At the touch of a button, motorhome owners can extend a portion of their RV's exterior wall outward to expand their living space. Class A motorhomes usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, a separate 100-125 volt electrical system, and a full array of appliances and entertainment features. They can sleep up to eight people, depending on the model and the floor plan. Of course, all those features don't come cheap.

Class B Motorhomes: also commonly known as van conversions, are the smallest fully enclosed motorhomes. They are constructed on a van chassis with elevated roof lines but no modifications to the length or width of the original chassis. Class B motorhomes generally weigh 6,000 to 8,000 pounds and are 17 to 19 feet in length. Although living space is limited, Class B motorhomes receive high marks for economy, versatility, and handling. When not RVing, many Class B owners make use of their units as family vehicles. Class B motorhomes usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator or an ice box, heating, a self-contained toilet, a fresh water tank, a waste water tank, a faucet, a sink, convertible/folding beds, a LP (propane) gas supply, and 110 VAC and 12VDC electrical outlets. Class B motorhomes can sleep from two to four people depending on the model. Prices range from $40,000 to above $100,000.

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

Class C Motorhomes: sometimes referred to as mini-motorhomes, are scaled-down versions of Class A motorhomes. They range in weight from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds and stretch from 20 feet to 31 feet in length. Class C motorhomes are generally constructed on a larger van chassis. The driver compartment is similar to a van, with a large box in the back. Class C motorhomes usually come with a sleeping bunk above the cab, in addition to a bedroom in the rear of the unit. Like their Class A big brothers, many Class C units feature a slideout to quickly extend the motorhome's living space. Class C units usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, a separate 100-125 volt electrical system, and a full array of appliances and entertainment features.

Towable RVs

Travel Trailers: come in a variety of sizes, ranging from a small bedroom on wheels to the equivalent of a Class A motorhome without the engine and transmission. Travel trailers may be as small as 10-feet long or as big as 35- feet long. Many feature a slideout to quickly extend the unit's living space. Travel trailers must be pulled by a separate tow vehicle. For most travel trailers, tow vehicles must be equipped with a load distributing hitch and other special devices designed to control the sway of the trailer. Nonetheless, most full-size sedans, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks are up to the job. Moreover, manufacturers have been introducing lighter weight models in recent years to reduce the burden of towing. Travel trailers usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, a shower, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, and a separate 100-125 volt electrical system. They can sleep up to eight people depending on the model and floor plan. Prices range from $10,000 to $100,000.

Folding Camping Trailers: are the least expensive RV. Also commonly referred to as tent trailers or pop-up trailers, folding camping trailers are designed from the ground up to be lightweight and inexpensive while providing many of the conveniences found in a basic travel trailer. Because of their relatively small size, folding camping trailers can easily be towed by a typical mid-size car, and even compact cars in some cases. A folding camping trailer can be thought of as a large, expandable tent built on a trailer. Most modern models incorporate a rigid roof and a lift system to expedite setup. Because the sides collapse for towing and storage, the units take up very little space when not in use. Folding camping trailers usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator or an ice box, heating, a fresh water tank, a waste water tank, a faucet, a sink, convertible/pull-out beds, a LP (propane) gas supply, and a separate 100-125 volt electrical system. They can sleep up to six people depending on the model and the floor plan. Prices begin at around $4,000 and can go as high as $25,000.

Fifth-wheel Trailers: are similar to larger travel trailers, but they have an extension on the front of the box that

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East Bay Regional Park District Camping Program Update

extends over the tow vehicle and a horizontal plate that looks like a wheel (hence the name "fifth wheel") that rests on the tow vehicle for support. This hitch arrangement requires special equipment on the tow vehicle. Typically, full-size pickup trucks serve as tow vehicles for fifth wheels and are outfitted with a fifth-wheel hitch. The hitch arrangement makes towing easier by placing the trailer load in the center of the tow vehicle instead of behind it. The extension on the front of the box also serves as a bedroom in most fifth wheels. Still more living space is afforded by slideouts that come as a standard feature of many fifth wheels. Fifth-wheel trailers usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, a shower, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, and a separate 100-125 volt electrical system.

Truck Campers: sometimes referred to as pickup campers or slide-on campers, consist of a camper body loaded onto the bed of a standard pickup truck. Usually the tailgate of the pickup is removed and the camper unit is clamped to the truck. Because truck campers can be loaded and unloaded with relative ease, they are popular among weekend RVers. Truck campers usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator or an ice box, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, a fresh water tank, a waste water tank, a faucet, a sink, a LP (propane) gas supply, and a separate 100-125 volt electrical system.

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Attachment PLANNING AND C APITAL G IMPROVEMENT COSTS

The following provides an overview of planning and capital improvement costs associated with priority camps. The purpose of these projections is to provide the probable cost of camp projects at a conceptual design level. All projections represent May, 2014 costs.

Land Use Planning

An entirely new Land Use Plan and environmental document for the Delta Access Regional Recreation Area is required for consideration of a family camp, group camp, and water trail camp. A major Land Use Plan amendment would be required for the Carquinez Regional Shoreline to include water trail camp facilities at Eckley and consideration of the Brickyard site as a family and potential water trail camp. Work would include resource inventory and constraints analysis, generation of alternatives and evaluation, development of a proposed plan description and conceptual site plans, environmental documentation, public and staff engagement throughout the planning, and District review and adoption.

Other existing Land Use Plans that would require an amendment to accommodate various camp developments are listed below.

The range of planning costs, again if contracted to the private sector, is provided. Considerations affecting costs are the scale of change, the anticipated level of environmental review, need for public involvement, and level of detail required, and whether it is a program review versus site specific project review.

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TABLE G-1: Projected Range of Planning Costs Park / Type of Camp Projected Planning Costs From To Ardenwood Historic Farm LUP Amendment: $ 40,000 $ 60,000 residential camp option (program level) Briones Regional Park LUP Amendment:: $ 5,000 $ 7,500 conversion of Homestead Valley group camp into a backpack camp with equestrian facilities Carquinez Regional Shoreline – Eckley LUP $ 20,000 $35,000 Amendment: water trail camp Carquinez Regional Shoreline – Brickyard LUP $350,000 $ 450,000 Amendment: family camp, water trail camp Delta Access Regional Recreation Area LUP: $350,000 $ 450,000 family camp, group camp, water trail camp, day camp Diablo Foothills Regional Park LUP $ 10,000 $ 15,000 Amendment: backpack camp on Shell Ridge Sibley Volcanic Preserve – McCosker LUP $ 5,000 $ 7,500 Amendment: convenience camping or group camping should a sufficient area exist after stream restoration Sunol / Ohlone Regional Wilderness LUP $ 40,000 $ 60,000 Amendment: convenience camp Wildcat Canyon Regional Park LUP $ 10,000 $ 15,000 Amendment: backpack camp along Nimitz Way

Capital Improvement Costs

A range of project capital improvement costs by priority site is listed below in Table G-2.

For capital improvements, all projections are based on the assumption that construction will be privately contracted to qualified construction companies using prevailing wages. Reasonable allowances have been made to cover the probable scope of work to construct the facility. Table G-2 uses normal park/camp construction costs based on industry standards suitable for a Concept Plan level of detail. This cost projection is not based on such considerations as might be included with the benefit of detailed design plans and construction documents. The information contained herein is based on professional judgment. Due to the myriad

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of outside factors that may affect any construction cost, including the status of the economy, and the number of interested bidders, there is no guarantee that the final cost will not vary from that indicated.

The following items have been excluded from these projections:

• Escalation costs. • Life cycle replacement costs • Removal of hazardous material • Work outside the site boundary • Major off-site infrastructure upgrades

TABLE G-2: Projected Range of Capital Improvement Costs Park / Type of Camp Projected Capital Improvement Costs From To Family Camps Sunol / Ohlone Regional Wilderness - Convenience $ 950,000 $ 1,045,000 Camp Group Camps Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - Shepard Canyon $ 515,000 $ 566,500 Vargas Plateau Regional Park– Tenderfoot $ 620,000 $ 682,000 Backpack Camps Briones Regional Park – Homestead Valley $ 105,000 $ 115,500 Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Franklin Hills $ 320,000 $ 352,000 Diablo Foothills Regional Park – Castle Oaks $ 170,000 $ 187,000 Garin Regional Park – Old Corral (no access road $ 205,000 $ 225,500 improvements) Garin Regional Park – Palomares $ 230,000 $ 253,000 Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park - Sinbad Creek $ 180,000 $ 198,000 Vargas Plateau Regional Park – North Plateau $ 160,000 $ 176,000 Wildcat Canyon Regional Park - Nimitz Way $ 145,000 $ 159,500 Water Trail Camps Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline – Eckley Water $ 295,000 $ 324,500 Trail Convenience Camp (2 units and pier modifications) Equestrian Camp Upgrades Anthony Chabot Regional Park – Bort Meadow $ 40,000 $ 40,000 Del Valle Regional Park – Caballo Loco $ 40,000 $ 44,000

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TABLE G-2: Projected Range of Capital Improvement Costs Park / Type of Camp Projected Capital Improvement Costs From To Mission Peak Regional Park – Eagle Springs $ 40,000 $ 44,000 Tilden Regional Park (with restroom) – ES Anderson $ 75,000 $ 82,500

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Camping Program Update East Bay Regional Park District

Attachment

INTERNET CAMPING H SURVEY SUMMARY

In order to achieve the broadest public outreach during the Update of the Camping Plan beyond the focus groups and the individual interviews conducted by the consulting team, an internet survey was designed and administered to allow the general public to be involved as well. A survey instrument of twelve questions was designed, and with District staff assistance was advertised through the District’s website, direct invitation using contact lists generated during the focus group recruitment process, and through a mass e-mailing to people who have used the Reserve America website over the last four years to reserve District campsites, including family, group and backpacking sites.

Over the several weeks it was available, there was a robust response rate to the survey. The majority of the 363 respondents provided valid answers to all twelve questions.

The survey was structured to obtain basic geographic and demographic information about the respondents and their families in the initial questions, and then probed into what features and aspects of camping are important to them and what they would like to see changed in the future. A third of the respondents were so engaged at the conclusion of the process that they contributed written comments when given the open-ended opportunity to do so at the end of the survey.

The full results of the survey, including verbatim transcriptions of “Other (please specify)” categories and final comments are presented in the pages following this summary. The essence of the findings are summarized below.

Characteristics and Credibility of the Sample The first question (Q1) in the survey merely asked the respondents to provide the zip code where they live. The vast majority (83%) were residents of the District. The remaining respondents were widely dispersed with approximately half a dozen each from San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. There were a few each from the other Bay Area counties as well as a few respondents from Stockton, Lodi and

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Camping Program Update East Bay Regional Park District

other Central Valley locations immediately east of the District. A few responses were contributed by residents of the far northwest coast of California, and of the Sierra foothills.

Respondent age was requested in Q2 (see the chart and table under “Q2 What is your age?” in the following pages). About half of the respondents were in the 41-60 year-old age bracket, although younger and older respondents were represented as well.

Q3 determined that the vast majority of respondents (93%) are experienced campers. Furthermore, about two-thirds of respondents (64%) have direct experience using District camping facilities, as was determined in Q4. The majority (84%) tend to camp more than one night on each trip (see Q5 in the following pages).

Camping Preferences

Q6 investigated the types of camping people like to do, and multiple responses were allowed. “Tent camping” is practiced by the largest share of respondents (71%), followed by “Backpacking” at 37%. Other forms of camping that take place were included as survey check-boxes and can be seen under Q6 in the following pages. However, recognizing that campers may describe their practices in different words, the survey also included an open-ended opportunity to describe “Other” camping. A more detailed analysis of the written responses revealed that:

• 8% mentioned kayak / canoe / or other forms of boat-in camping,

• 2% mentioned bicycle or bike-in camping, and

• A handful of people mentioned horse trailers with live-in quarters.

Q7 asked respondents about the size of camping groups they prefer. The results corroborate what was heard in interviews with peer public agencies and non-profit groups: that there has been a distinct trend in recent decades of people preferring to camp in groups. “With a group of friends/relatives” was the modal response (at 47%), and should be interpreted as distinct from scout troops and others using group campsites as reported by the 22% that checked “large organized group.” At the other extreme, there is still a meaningful portion of campers preferring the experience “solo” (15%).

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Camping Program Update East Bay Regional Park District

Q8 tested the familiarity of respondents with East Bay Regional Parks, and over 200 filled in names of facilities they have used (up to five each). As should be expected, the parks mentioned heavily follow the utilization statistics reported in Chapter 1 of the report, with high familiarity with Del Valle and Chabot family campgrounds, mentions of missing the currently closed family campground at Sunol, and extensive mentions of traditional group camps such as Bort Meadows, ES Anderson, and Hawk Ridge.

Satisfaction Q9 asked respondents to rate their satisfaction with the reservation system. Although a third expressed no opinion, the majority of the remainder was satisfied. Nineteen respondents reported dissatisfaction (which is less than 7%), and gave their reasons why. Their verbatim responses are presented under Q9 in the following pages. In summary, approximately half of the 19 dissatisfied respondents appeared to have been confused by the systems, lacked knowledge of how they worked, or experienced some form of mix-up with their reservation. A few mentioned dissatisfaction with the fees or expenses, and a few wished that large facilities could be available for smaller groups.

Similar to Q9, Q10 also tested satisfaction, but this time focusing on “service, (friendliness, helpfulness, professionalism) that staff provides.” Again, approximately one-third offered no opinion, but the majority of the remainder was either “very satisfied” (51%) or “somewhat satisfied” (15%). Only three respondents (1%) reported dissatisfaction. Their three verbatim reasons are presented in the pages following under Q10.

Key Findings for Planning Future Camping Opportunities Some of the most important questions for future planning were saved for the end of the survey. These questions start with Q11 that requested people to list up to five items they consider most important when choosing a campground. The detailed results of the survey are presented in the pages that follow, but because 17% of the respondents added items to the survey through the “Other (please specify)” line, the table below for Q11 categorizes those open-ended responses and re-sorts the entire range of responses in rank order starting with the most important factors and working down to responses that were barely over 1%.

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Camping Program Update East Bay Regional Park District

Question #11: Please check the five most important items from the following list in your decision to choose a campground. Answered: 358 Skipped: 5 Responses Rank Answer Choices Percent Number 1 privacy, separation from neighboring camps 63.4% 227 2 hiking trails 60.9% 218 3 surrounding habitat and wildlife 55.3% 198 3 setting / views from camp 55.3% 198 4 proximity to drinking water 44.4% 159 5 flush toilets 32.7% 117 6 cost 31.0% 111 7 proximity to home 22.4% 80 8 showers 21.8% 78 9 regular patrol by park rangers 18.7% 67 10 boat/canoe/kayak access 17.3% 62 10 group gathering area / campfire circle 17.3% 62 11 hard surface / level camping pads 12.9% 46 12 group cooking / eating areas 10.9% 39 13 biking trails 9.8% 35 14 water hookups 8.4% 30 15 electrical hookups 8.1% 29 16 fishing access 7.3% 26 17 Other (equestrian related: trails / trailer parking / 7.0% 25 facilities) 18 multi-use open areas 5.0% 18 19 playgrounds 3.1% 11 19 on-site dump station 3.1% 11 20 Other: allow dogs 2.0% 7 21 sewer hookups 1.7% 6 21 Other: swimming available 1.7% 6 Other : please specify 17.0% 61

Q12 had a similar structure to Q11, but asked people to choose up to three items from a list of what they would change to make their camping experience more rewarding or to encourage them to camp more often. Again, a significant number of respondents (65, or 19%) added items to the list under the “Other (please specify)” line. In the table below, those 65 additional items have been categorized and included in the rank ordering of all factors people would change.

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Q12 From the list below, please check the three (3) items you would change to make your camping experience more rewarding or to encourage you to camp more often. Answered: 347 Skipped: 16 Responses Rank Answer Choices Percent Number 1 new campgrounds in remote locations (either 61.1% 212 family camps, backpack camps, or group camps) 2 more privacy between campground units 45.2% 157 3 improved / more restrooms 31.1% 108 4 new campgrounds with boating access to the 22.5% 78 bay, river (carquinez strait), or delta 5 closer proximity to a drinking water supply 21.9% 76 6 additional camping units to expand existing 18.7% 65 campgrounds 6 provision of all-weather camping cabins or yurts 18.7% 65 7 wi-fi connectivity 13.3% 46 8 more showers 12.4% 43 9 other (more equestrian opportunities / incl. for 4.9% 17 smaller groups) 10 addition of electronic device recharging stations 4.6% 16 11 Other: more backpacking opportunities / incl. 3.5% 12 boat-in / facilities 12 Other: more RV hookups / parking for large rigs 1.4% 5 12 Other: lower costs / inexpensive hike/bike 1.4% 5 campgrounds Other : please specify 18.7% 65

The last question on the survey, Q13, was an open invitation to add other comments, and in spite of a “(maximum of 140 characters)” the survey software allowed people to say as much as they wanted. In all, 116 people contributed comments. The verbatim listing of all comments is presented at the end of the pages that follow this summary.

Several themes appear repeatedly among the 116 comments. The first is essentially a call for more camping opportunities; more sites, in more places, of a variety of types, expressed by 45 people (38.8% of all commenters). In descending order, the types of camping desired (and the number desiring each) were:

1. Backpacking sites / trail connectivity / primitive camping but near water (11) 2. Family campgrounds / including sites with RV hookups (10) 3. Kayak camps / boat-in / water trail-related (9) 4. Equestrian sites / much with mention of smaller groups (7)

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Camping Program Update East Bay Regional Park District

5. Hike / bike-in (5) 6. Group camp sites / large organized groups (2) 7. Yurt / cabin (1). The second theme may be described as “positive testimonials.” Seventeen people used the opportunity to praise the District, its staff, its facilities, its land areas, or Bay Area camping in general.

The third theme was a combination of requests or suggestions on how information about camping opportunities is needed and how the reservation system could be improved (12 people).

The next theme expressed by 9 people was that there needs to be more accommodation of “smaller groups” defined as larger than a single family unit but smaller than an organized scout or church group, and containing perhaps 8 to 15 people. Some mentioned appropriate pricing, others mentioned reservation flexibility, and many discussed use of larger facilities by smaller groups under certain circumstances.

Other themes that popped up four or more times in the comments include: • Requests for programs that target low-income and disadvantaged youth, coupled with non-profit partners who can subsidize transportation and develop and produce programs using District sites. • Requests or suggestions for lowering costs of camping. • Desire for improved amenities such as flush toilets, showers, and equestrian facilities, coupled with a willingness to pay more for these amenities. The verbatim comments and the results of all survey questions are presented in the pages that follow.

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EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q2 What is your age?

Answered: 361 Skipped: 2

under 18

18-25

26-30

31-40

41-60

60+

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

under 18 0.83% 3

18-25 2.49% 9

26-30 5.26% 19

31-40 18.01% 65

41-60 49.03% 177

60+ 24.38% 88

Total 361

11 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q3 How may times a year do you go camping either in an East Bay Regional Park or elsewhere?

Answered: 359 Skipped: 4

nev er

1 to 5

6 to 10

10+

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

never 3.62% 13

1 to 5 58.22% 209

6 to 10 23.12% 83

10+ 15.04% 54

Total 359

12 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q4 How may times a year do you go camping in one of the East Bay Regional Parks?

Answered: 359 Skipped: 4

nev er

1 to 5

6 to 10

10+

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

never 35.65% 128

1 to 5 61.00% 219

6 to 10 2.51% 9

10+ 0.84% 3

Total 359

13 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q5 How long is your typical camping trip?

Answered: 355 Skipped: 8

1 night

2 to 3 nights

longer than 3 nights

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

1 night 15.77% 56

2 to 3 nights 71.55% 254

longer than 3 nights 12.68% 45

Total 355

14 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q6 Which would best describe your type of camping? (check those that apply)

Answered: 357 Skipped: 6

RV/motorhome

fifth wheel

pop-up

tent

backpack

equestrian

group

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

RV/motorhome 7.28% 26

fifth wheel 0.84% 3

pop-up 4.48% 16

tent 71.15% 254

backpack 36.97% 132

equestrian 15.69% 56

group 20.17% 72

Other (please specify) 15.97% 57

Total Respondents: 357

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Back of truck 4/9/2014 7:14 AM

2 Cycle touring 4/8/2014 10:33 AM

3 walk-in / environmental camp sites 4/7/2014 10:20 PM

4 small camping trailer 4/7/2014 2:38 PM

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5 Travel Trailer 4/6/2014 7:55 AM

6 horse trailer w/tow vehicle 4/6/2014 7:29 AM

7 With dogs and extended family 4/5/2014 8:55 PM

8 Car 4/5/2014 1:12 PM

9 travel trailer 4/5/2014 10:00 AM

10 tear drop traile (same type as pop-up) 4/5/2014 9:27 AM

11 BICYCLE 4/4/2014 10:49 PM

12 Family 4/4/2014 6:05 PM

13 car camping, usually with a girl scout troop 4/4/2014 5:47 PM

14 Cabin/Tent-Cabin/Yurt 4/4/2014 5:35 PM

15 small group equestrian 4/4/2014 5:18 PM

16 Class B van 4/4/2014 5:11 PM

17 Bicycle 4/2/2014 9:08 AM

18 BICYCLING!!! 4/1/2014 7:07 AM

19 Tent camping in groups of 10+ people 3/31/2014 5:26 PM

20 bicycle (tent), kayak (tent) 3/28/2014 2:48 PM

21 kayak or canoe 3/25/2014 12:43 PM

22 Overnight camping by kayak 3/23/2014 7:22 AM

23 kayak camping 3/21/2014 12:34 PM

24 kayak 3/21/2014 9:48 AM

25 Horse trailer with live in quarters 3/20/2014 8:45 PM

26 kayak camping 3/20/2014 5:43 PM

27 living quarter horse trailer 3/20/2014 3:37 PM

28 Off Road and Dual sport Motorcycle camping. 3/20/2014 9:05 AM

29 gooseneck horsetrailer 3/19/2014 10:37 PM

30 kayak 3/19/2014 9:28 PM

31 kayak 3/19/2014 8:18 PM

32 Camper van 3/19/2014 6:25 PM

33 Bikw 3/19/2014 4:02 PM

34 out of my kayak 3/19/2014 3:05 PM

35 kayak in camping 3/19/2014 2:40 PM

36 Kayak / Sailboat 3/19/2014 2:11 PM

37 kayak camping! 3/19/2014 1:11 PM

38 actually a combo of kayak in and group 3/19/2014 12:45 PM

39 kayak camping 3/19/2014 10:15 AM

40 kayak 3/19/2014 9:25 AM

41 VW camper, bike, kayak 3/19/2014 6:55 AM

42 Kayak 3/18/2014 10:41 PM

43 Kayak 3/18/2014 9:23 PM

44 camper shell 3/18/2014 9:09 PM

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45 Kayak camping 3/18/2014 6:43 PM

46 Kayak 3/18/2014 5:24 PM

47 kayak and canow 3/18/2014 4:15 PM

48 kayak 3/18/2014 4:00 PM

49 Kayak 3/18/2014 3:54 PM

50 kayak 3/18/2014 3:36 PM

51 boat in 3/18/2014 3:27 PM

52 Kayak 3/18/2014 3:21 PM

53 kayak 3/18/2014 3:21 PM

54 boat in 3/18/2014 3:10 PM

55 By Kayak 3/18/2014 3:09 PM

56 Bike Camping 3/18/2014 1:15 PM

57 car camping 3/18/2014 11:57 AM

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Q7 With how many people do you tend to camp in an East Bay Regional Park? (check those that apply)

Answered: 336 Skipped: 27

large organized group

with a group of...

family

as a couple

solo

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

large organized group 21.73% 73

with a group of friends/relatives 46.73% 157

family 35.42% 119

as a couple 31.85% 107

solo 14.88% 50

Total Respondents: 336

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Q8 If you have camped at an East Bay Regional Park what site(s) have you used? (please list up to five)

Answered: 221 Skipped: 142

# Responses Date

1 Morgan Territory Round Valley 4/10/2014 10:25 PM

2 Del Valle Cabot 4/10/2014 4:35 PM

3 Del Valle, Lake Chabot, Ohlone Trail (backpacking) 4/9/2014 2:04 PM

4 Lake del valle 4/9/2014 1:10 PM

5 Del Valle, Sunol, Chabot 4/9/2014 12:20 PM

6 Del Valle Chabot 4/8/2014 11:12 AM

7 Del Val 4/8/2014 10:26 AM

8 Anthony Chabot Del Valle 4/8/2014 10:02 AM

9 Del Valle, Anthony Chabot 4/8/2014 7:22 AM

10 Sunol. Miss the family campground there. 4/7/2014 10:20 PM

11 Chabot 4/7/2014 6:24 PM

12 Lake Chabot 4/7/2014 3:53 PM

13 Lake Chabot 4/7/2014 2:38 PM

14 Juniper, Mount Diablo Eagles Peak, Del Valle larger group site at Del Valle (can't remember 4/7/2014 2:36 PM name) individual sites, Lake Chabot

15 Sunol 4/7/2014 2:31 PM

16 Morgan Territory, Round Valley 4/7/2014 2:08 PM

17 Pt. Pinole, Wildcat Canyon/Tilden 4/7/2014 1:36 PM

18 Boart meadows Lake Chiabo 4/7/2014 1:33 PM

19 BD Mines (Stewartville Backapck), Morgan Territory 4/7/2014 12:57 PM

20 Lake Chabot group sites 4/7/2014 12:47 PM

21 Bort Meadow, Skyline Arena, ES Anderson Equestrian Center 4/7/2014 12:30 PM

22 Chabot, Sunol 4/7/2014 10:42 AM

23 Del Valle (a lot), Lake Chabot 4/7/2014 10:08 AM

24 Mt Diablo, Chabot 4/7/2014 9:14 AM

25 Del Valle, Anthony Chabot 4/7/2014 9:10 AM

26 Anthony Chabot Black Diamond Mine Las Trampas 4/7/2014 8:52 AM

27 Sunol Ohlone trail Black diamond 4/7/2014 8:46 AM

28 Del Valle, Chabot, Sunol, Ohlone Trail sites 4/6/2014 11:20 PM

29 Eagle View, Hawk Ridge, (one to the left after crossing bridge) at Del Valle 4/6/2014 7:53 PM

30 Del Valle caballo loco and smaller equine camp ground 4/6/2014 7:18 PM

31 lake shabot 4/6/2014 4:49 PM

32 Sunol Wilderness backpack site. Del Valle campground. 4/6/2014 3:16 PM

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33 Del Valle 16 4/6/2014 2:51 PM

34 Eagle Spring Backpack, Sunol Backpack, Maggie's Half Acre, Del Valle 4/6/2014 1:12 PM

35 Del Valle; Sunol; 4/6/2014 10:24 AM

36 Round Valley 4/6/2014 10:12 AM

37 Lake Chabot 4/6/2014 10:07 AM

38 Bort Meadows 4/6/2014 9:38 AM

39 Sunol 4/6/2014 8:40 AM

40 DelValle Chabot 4/6/2014 8:27 AM

41 Del Valle in sites 3 and the 60's along the river. 4/6/2014 7:55 AM

42 ES ANDERSON, BORT MDWS, ANTHONY CHABOT 4/6/2014 7:29 AM

43 Hawk Ridge, Bort Meadow, Maud Whalen, Lookout Ridge 4/6/2014 7:11 AM

44 camped up on top with an organized group of friends between sunol and del valle and then the 4/6/2014 12:00 AM one over the bridge one time and once in Sunol

45 Dairy Glen 4/5/2014 10:07 PM

46 Sunol Regional (Aerie) and Ohlone Wilderness (Maggie's Half Acre) 4/5/2014 9:51 PM

47 Anthony Chabot Sunol 4/5/2014 9:20 PM

48 Del Valle, Lake Chabot 4/5/2014 9:06 PM

49 Es Anderson Bueller? Meadow at Lake Chabot Joachin Miller mostly with the 6 day Benefit Ride 4/5/2014 8:12 PM for the Bay Area Ridge Trail but also TWHA earlier...

50 Tilden on South Park drive Near Little farm several times Redwood Park girls camp 4/5/2014 5:38 PM

51 Bort meadow Lil chaparral equestrian park 4/5/2014 5:07 PM

52 Sunol, Eagle Spgs (Mission Pk), Stewart's 4/5/2014 3:58 PM

53 Stars rest. Maggie's half acre 4/5/2014 3:47 PM

54 No 4/5/2014 3:19 PM

55 19,25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32 4/5/2014 1:14 PM

56 Devalle 4/5/2014 1:12 PM

57 Del Valle 4/5/2014 11:37 AM

58 Chabot, Sunol, Morgan territory backpack 4/5/2014 11:35 AM

59 Tilden - both sites near The Little Farm Anthony Chabot Del Valle 4/5/2014 11:22 AM

60 Anthony Chabot 4/5/2014 10:37 AM

61 Chabot Family Campground Del Valle Campground 4/5/2014 10:00 AM

62 N/A 4/5/2014 9:50 AM

63 Sunol, backpacking 4/5/2014 9:27 AM

64 del valle contra loma/black diamond stewartville 4/5/2014 8:55 AM

65 DelValle- Punta Vaca Brannan Island 4/5/2014 8:31 AM

66 Anthony chabot 4/5/2014 7:38 AM

67 Lake Del Valle, Redwood, Tilden 4/5/2014 7:23 AM

68 Lake Chabot 4/5/2014 7:00 AM

69 Chabot, I think 4/5/2014 6:50 AM

70 Chabot. Sunol 4/5/2014 6:38 AM

71 Sunul backpacker 4/5/2014 12:25 AM

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72 Tilden Park group camps (two sites) 4/5/2014 12:20 AM

73 del valle 4/5/2014 12:01 AM

74 Es Anderson, Bort Meadow 4/4/2014 10:35 PM

75 Lake Chabot, Del Valle, Sibley Volcanic 4/4/2014 10:27 PM

76 Del Valle 4/4/2014 10:24 PM

77 Del Valle ,Samuel Taylor ,half moon bay,Chabot,pismo 4/4/2014 10:21 PM

78 Lake Chabot family 4/4/2014 8:58 PM

79 Tilden, Livermore 4/4/2014 8:52 PM

80 Sunol, chabot 4/4/2014 8:42 PM

81 Chabot 4/4/2014 8:27 PM

82 De valle Chabot 4/4/2014 8:08 PM

83 Mount Diablo Tilden Park Ridgetrail group hike 4/4/2014 7:37 PM

84 Can't recall all the site names, but Two Rock? at Chabot, and group sites at Redwood Regional 4/4/2014 7:31 PM and Tilden.

85 Eagle Spring Backpack Camp, Anthony Chabot, Del Valle 4/4/2014 7:10 PM

86 Anthony Chabot Sunol Pleasanton Ridge (with V-O-Cal) 4/4/2014 7:05 PM

87 Sunol Backpack Camp, Black Diamond Mines, Del Valle 4/4/2014 7:03 PM

88 Don Edwards 4/4/2014 6:51 PM

89 Chabot 4/4/2014 6:50 PM

90 toyon, when i was a kid. ohlone trail several times during the years with friends 4/4/2014 6:48 PM

91 Lake Chabot 4/4/2014 6:44 PM

92 Del Valle 4/4/2014 6:40 PM

93 Del Valle 4/4/2014 6:38 PM

94 Ohlone Regional Wilderness 4/4/2014 6:31 PM

95 Del valle 4/4/2014 6:24 PM

96 Ohlone Wildness Trail, Ed. Levin County Park Garin Regional Park 4/4/2014 6:10 PM

97 Del Valle Anthony Chabot Big Basin 4/4/2014 6:08 PM

98 Chabot 4/4/2014 5:57 PM

99 Bort Meadows, Sunol, Del Valle 4/4/2014 5:57 PM

100 China Camp, Portola Redwoods 4/4/2014 5:57 PM

101 several in Tilden, plus one in Lafayette 4/4/2014 5:47 PM

102 Lake Chabot Campground 4/4/2014 5:35 PM

103 Del Valle Anthony Chabot - group and family Ohlone/Sunol 4/4/2014 5:34 PM

104 del valle 4/4/2014 5:32 PM

105 Coyote cove group at east park 4/4/2014 5:30 PM

106 Chabot 4/4/2014 5:30 PM

107 Del Valle 4/4/2014 5:24 PM

108 Sunol 4/4/2014 5:19 PM

109 Es Anderson, Bort Meadow 4/4/2014 5:18 PM

110 Sunol 4/4/2014 5:16 PM

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111 Chabot and Del Valle 4/4/2014 5:14 PM

112 Del Valle Chabot 4/4/2014 5:09 PM

113 Es Anderson Chabot Del Valle 4/4/2014 5:09 PM

114 Chabot 4/4/2014 5:06 PM

115 Chabot 4/4/2014 5:06 PM

116 Chabot Sunol Del valle 4/4/2014 5:05 PM

117 Chabot 4/4/2014 5:04 PM

118 Lake Del Valle, Ohlone Trail, Morgan Territory 4/4/2014 5:01 PM

119 chabot 4/4/2014 5:00 PM

120 chabot regional del valle mt. diablo 4/4/2014 4:59 PM

121 Lake Del Valle 4/4/2014 4:58 PM

122 Anthony Chabot and Del Valle 4/4/2014 4:55 PM

123 Sunol Hawk Sky Rose Peak 4/4/2014 4:53 PM

124 Del Valle Mission Peak Backpack camp Sunol Backpack camp 4/4/2014 4:50 PM

125 Es Anderson, Bort Meadows 4/4/2014 12:49 AM

126 Chabot, Ohlone, Pt. Pinole, Briones, Black Diamond, Sunol 4/2/2014 9:08 AM

127 Ohlone Wilderness 4/1/2014 10:36 AM

128 None. Don't have showers! 3/31/2014 5:26 PM

129 Morgan Territory Regional Preserve Round Valley Regional Park 3/31/2014 4:13 PM

130 del, valle, redwood, tilden 3/31/2014 10:46 AM

131 Sunol, DelValle, 3/31/2014 8:14 AM

132 Morgan Territory backpacker site Del Valle, Eagles nest on the Olone trail Sonol Wild Cat Canyon 3/31/2014 8:08 AM

133 Del Valle Caballo Loco Bort Meadows 3/29/2014 8:49 PM

134 Del Valle, Anthony Chabot 3/26/2014 8:05 AM

135 Del Valle and Anthony Chabot's family campgrounds but I don't remember what sites exactly. 3/25/2014 10:57 PM

136 Sunol family, Sunol High Valley, Lake Chabot, Lake Del Valle, Del Valle Eagle's View, Del Valle 3/25/2014 5:43 PM Ardilla, Camp Ohlone, Sibley Backpack, Maggie's Half Acre

137 Gillespie Youth Camp Wildcat View 3/25/2014 4:14 PM

138 Anthony Chabot 69, 35, 23, 20,11 3/25/2014 6:45 AM

139 Chabot sunol 3/24/2014 2:48 PM

140 sunol Family camp, sunol backpackers camp 3/24/2014 12:47 PM

141 Chabot 3/23/2014 1:55 PM

142 Del Valle, Mt. Rose (Sunol Trail) 3/23/2014 7:22 AM

143 Lake Chabot Group area 3/22/2014 8:43 AM

144 Del Valle, Tilden, wild cat 3/21/2014 10:00 PM

145 Eckley Pier (with special permit), Pt. Pinole, Lk. Del Valle 3/21/2014 12:34 PM

146 Morgan Backpack Camp 3/21/2014 11:56 AM

147 Morgan Territory Regional Preserve 3/21/2014 5:44 AM

148 Bort Meadow and Del Valle Also competed at a NATRC ride at Round Valley. 3/20/2014 11:11 PM

149 Caballo Loco, Es Anderson, Bort Meadow. 3/20/2014 9:15 PM

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150 Del valle 3/20/2014 8:45 PM

151 1. Tilden Park - Gillespie Youth Camp 2. Sunol Backpack Camp 3. Mission Peak Backpack Camp 3/20/2014 8:42 PM 4. Other Ohlone Wilderness Trail Camps

152 Del Valle 3/20/2014 6:53 PM

153 Point Pinole 3/20/2014 5:43 PM

154 Morgan Territory backpack camp 3/20/2014 4:59 PM

155 Mt Diablo, Del Val 3/20/2014 2:56 PM

156 Sunol Regional Wilderness, Doe Canyon Anthony Chabot-Bort Meadow Tilden Wildcat, Es 3/20/2014 1:38 PM Anderson

157 Henry Cowell 3/20/2014 12:33 PM

158 Wildcat 3/20/2014 11:52 AM

159 Anthony Chabot 3/20/2014 11:49 AM

160 EQ site 3/20/2014 11:47 AM

161 Redwood Regional Park 3/20/2014 10:41 AM

162 redwood regional park, oakland, group camping 3/20/2014 9:34 AM

163 Sunol, Del Valle, Chabot 3/20/2014 9:10 AM

164 Del Valle 3/20/2014 9:05 AM

165 Del Valle for an event 3/20/2014 8:58 AM

166 east bay frank raines 3/20/2014 7:14 AM

167 Mostly Dell Valle 3/20/2014 6:32 AM

168 I've camped at del Valle 3/20/2014 5:07 AM

169 Hawk Ridge, Girls Camp, Bort Meadow 3/20/2014 12:45 AM

170 chabot 3/20/2014 12:00 AM

171 Lake Del Valle 3/19/2014 10:46 PM

172 Lake DelValle Mount Diablo Marsh Creek Las Vaqueros 3/19/2014 10:37 PM

173 Chabot Family Campground Ohlone Wilderness 3/19/2014 10:28 PM

174 Es Anderson Equestrian Camp at Tilden Caballo Loco Equestrian Camp at Del Valle Bort Meadow 3/19/2014 9:53 PM at Chabot Metropolitan Horsemen's Arena at Joaquin Miller

175 Pt Pinole, Red Oak Victory 3/19/2014 9:28 PM

176 Sunol and High Valley backpacking camps 3/19/2014 9:12 PM

177 Tilden, Lake Chabot 3/19/2014 8:31 PM

178 Chabot Redwood 3/19/2014 8:09 PM

179 Es Andersen, Bort Meadows 3/19/2014 7:16 PM

180 Es Anderson, Bort Meadows, Las Trampas, Diablo Foothills, Pleasnton Ridge 3/19/2014 6:45 PM

181 Bort Meadow Black Diamond Shelby Chabot 3/19/2014 5:19 PM

182 Del Valle Regional Park (by Del Valle Swim Area) Anthony Chabot Regional Park 3/19/2014 5:18 PM

183 Del valle, Tilden, Bort. 3/19/2014 4:42 PM

184 Chabot 3/19/2014 4:02 PM

185 Caballo Loco,Del Valle, Sunol Regional, Maggeis half acre 3/19/2014 3:47 PM

186 Anthony Chabot Puma Point Del valle group site 3/19/2014 3:16 PM

187 Del Valle 3/19/2014 2:40 PM

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188 Wildcat View & Gilespie 3/19/2014 1:58 PM

189 Wildcat View Gillespie Puma Point Sunol Wilderness trail camps (various) 3/19/2014 1:20 PM

190 Lake Del Valle, Lake Chabot, Rose Peak 3/19/2014 1:11 PM

191 Caballo Loco Little Chapparal 3/19/2014 12:48 PM

192 Pt Pinole Eckley pier park 3/19/2014 12:45 PM

193 CABALLO LOCO LAKE DEL VALLE 3/19/2014 11:21 AM

194 livermore lake del valle camp arroyo juaquin miller 3/19/2014 11:18 AM

195 Del Valle Sunol 3/19/2014 9:53 AM

196 Ohlone wilderness, lake chabot, Bort meadows, dairy glen, sunol 3/19/2014 7:25 AM

197 Various sites along the ohlone wilderness trail 3/18/2014 11:39 PM

198 Pt. Pinol, Lake del Valle, and elsewhere around SF Bay, such as Angel Island 3/18/2014 10:41 PM

199 Del Valle 3/18/2014 9:30 PM

200 Pt. Pinole, 3/18/2014 9:23 PM

201 Chabot, ohlone, del valle 3/18/2014 6:49 PM

202 Tilden Twin Canyons Chabot 3/18/2014 5:04 PM

203 Gillespie, Wildcat View, Del Valle, Anthony Chabot 3/18/2014 4:17 PM

204 Lake Chabot,Del Valle 3/18/2014 4:15 PM

205 Mt Diablo 3/18/2014 3:54 PM

206 Maggie's, Ohlone Wilderness 3/18/2014 3:28 PM

207 Anthony Chabot Del Valle 3/18/2014 3:21 PM

208 Lake Del Valle 3/18/2014 3:10 PM

209 Point Pinole 3/18/2014 3:09 PM

210 Del Valle Site 12 & 13 3/18/2014 3:03 PM

211 Del Valle Chabot 3/18/2014 1:23 PM

212 Anthony Chabot, Lake Del Valle, Sibley, 3/18/2014 1:15 PM

213 Del Valle, Anthony Chabot and group camps. 3/18/2014 12:51 PM

214 Sunol ohlone and Sunol Regional 3/18/2014 12:46 PM

215 At DelValle East shore, and also with the Ridge Trail group in a few in the Oakland Hills and the 3/18/2014 11:57 AM Chabot Equestrian camp

216 Many of the sites at Del Valle and a few on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. 3/18/2014 11:50 AM

217 Del Valle. Chabot, Sunol BP. Sunol Family 3/18/2014 11:40 AM

218 Anthony Chabot (Group Camps), Redwood (Fern Dell, Trail's End, Girls' Camp) 3/18/2014 11:39 AM

219 sunol backpacking sites, sunol family sites, Lake Chabolt, Coyote hills, 3/18/2014 11:35 AM

220 Chabot 3/18/2014 11:31 AM

221 Morgan territory 2x 3/13/2014 6:17 PM

24 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q9 If you have camped at an East Bay Regional Park are you satisfied with the reservation system?

Answered: 283 Skipped: 80

No opinion

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Dissatisfied. If so, pleas...

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

No opinion 38.52% 109

Very satisfied 25.09% 71

Somewhat satisfied 29.68% 84

Dissatisfied. If so, please explain. 6.71% 19

Total 283

# Dissatisfied. If so, please explain. Date

1 Don't like extra fee for reserving on top of camp fee 4/7/2014 2:38 PM

2 Having to separately get the Sunol wilderness permit seems more complicated than should be 4/6/2014 3:16 PM necessary.

3 would be great to be able to camp with friends--small groups 4/5/2014 8:12 PM

4 I couldn't reserve anywhere except Anthony Chabot, so I'm confused by your question. 4/5/2014 10:37 AM

5 Made a transfer to a rv site ended up it was a tent only was told ninth ing could be done lost our 4/4/2014 10:21 PM anniversary trip but was saved by ranger Derek

6 too expensive 4/4/2014 5:32 PM

7 there was no system 4/4/2014 5:30 PM

8 tried to make group reservation at the exact hour when it was supposed to start and major sites and 4/4/2014 5:03 PM weekends were already booked.

9 The process for reserving space is not online and not the most convenient. 4/4/2014 5:01 PM

25 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

10 Rules are confusing due to differences in where you look. Parking permits restrictions can be 4/1/2014 10:36 AM peculiar.

11 so far, I have booked two reservations and they have both been incorrect and I've had to call back 3/31/2014 8:14 AM to correct. I've also been on hold for more than 30 minutes, only to be disconnected and have to go through the hold over again. Please call me for details to discuss. 510-282-1596

12 website is a nightmare cant find anything - antique 3/24/2014 2:48 PM

13 No listing for OHV camping use. 3/20/2014 9:05 AM

14 Its hard to get individual site or 1 or two most are group sites it would be nice to get a discount on a 3/19/2014 10:46 PM per site when not booked on the group sites

15 Feels a little clunky for groups. We need to mail in payments, wait for parking passes, return signed 3/19/2014 1:20 PM reservations. I wish it could be simplified. All online. Pay for and print your own parking passes, etc.

16 The large Caballo Loco facility is underutilized, yet individuals cannot reserve it as far as I know. I 3/19/2014 12:48 PM think it should be open to families, friends, small groups when not occupied by larger groups.

17 none of them are any good 3/19/2014 11:07 AM

18 Reservation system is okay but reservation fees are too high. 3/18/2014 1:23 PM

19 Don't like paying a non-refundable reservation fee 3/18/2014 11:35 AM

26 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q10 If you have camped at an East Bay Regional Park are you satisfied with the level of service (friendliness, helpfulness, professionalism) that staff provides?

Answered: 284 Skipped: 79

No opinion

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Dissatisfied. If so, pleas...

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

No opinion 33.10% 94

Very satisfied 50.70% 144

Somewhat satisfied 15.14% 43

Dissatisfied. If so, please explain. 1.06% 3

Total 284

# Dissatisfied. If so, please explain. Date

1 Policing lead and poor cultural competency of staff 4/4/2014 8:52 PM

2 people are nice enough, but don't seem to know what they are doing on the reservation line. 3/31/2014 8:14 AM

3 Seems as though a majority of staff is also part of a radical environmental group. 3/20/2014 9:05 AM

27 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

Q11 Please check the five most important items from the following list in your decision to choose a campground.

Answered: 358 Skipped: 5

proximity to home

priv acy, separation f...

surrounding habitat and...

setting / views from camp

fishing access

boat/canoe/kaya k access

hiking trails

biking trails

playgrounds

multi-use open areas

group cooking / eating areas

group gathering ar...

hard surface / level campin...

flush toilets

showers

electrical hookups

water hookups

proximity to drinking water 28 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

sewer hookups

on-site dump station

regular patrol by park rangers

cost

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

proximity to home 22.35% 80

privacy, separation from neighboring camps 63.41% 227

surrounding habitat and wildlife 55.31% 198

setting / views from camp 55.31% 198

fishing access 7.26% 26

boat/canoe/kayak access 17.32% 62

hiking trails 60.89% 218

biking trails 9.78% 35

playgrounds 3.07% 11

multi-use open areas 5.03% 18

group cooking / eating areas 10.89% 39

group gathering area / campfire circle 17.32% 62

hard surface / level camping pads 12.85% 46

flush toilets 32.68% 117

showers 21.79% 78

electrical hookups 8.10% 29

water hookups 8.38% 30

proximity to drinking water 44.41% 159

sewer hookups 1.68% 6

on-site dump station 3.07% 11

regular patrol by park rangers 18.72% 67

cost 31.01% 111

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17.04% 61 Other (please specify)

Total Respondents: 358

# Other (please specify) Date

1 To be able to reserve spots and find camping locations around the east bay. 4/8/2014 3:53 PM

2 fire ring 4/8/2014 10:26 AM

3 dogs allowed 4/8/2014 7:28 AM

4 equestrian use 4/7/2014 8:32 PM

5 allows dogs 4/7/2014 7:48 PM

6 Some sort of toilet and water (can require treatment) 4/7/2014 7:45 PM

7 overall safety 4/6/2014 7:53 PM

8 For backpack camp, I want camping to give me access to area I would normally not reach to 4/6/2014 3:16 PM explore in day hike.

9 SAFETY 4/6/2014 7:29 AM

10 Dog-friendliness 4/5/2014 8:55 PM

11 Dog Friendly 4/5/2014 6:41 PM

12 Equestrian access 4/5/2014 5:07 PM

13 Swimming available 4/5/2014 1:12 PM

14 equestrian trails nearby 4/5/2014 11:37 AM

15 group campers quieter earlier at night 4/5/2014 10:37 AM

16 to protect Mother Earth 4/5/2014 9:50 AM

17 porta-potties okay 4/5/2014 9:27 AM

18 swimming access 4/5/2014 8:31 AM

19 Offers mini camping trips that we sign up online, someone to guide us through it all for first tine 4/4/2014 11:38 PM campers!

20 Safety, quiet 4/4/2014 10:03 PM

21 large enough to fit group size 4/4/2014 7:31 PM

22 Hiker/biker rates!!! 4/4/2014 6:44 PM

23 Swimming 4/4/2014 5:58 PM

24 equestrian "camping" opportunity 4/4/2014 5:57 PM

25 Dog friendly 4/4/2014 5:55 PM

26 swimming 4/4/2014 5:34 PM

27 swimming access 4/4/2014 5:32 PM

28 generally accessibility for camping neophytes 4/4/2014 5:06 PM

29 fire pit, wood burning allowed 4/4/2014 5:00 PM

30 enough shaded area for those super hot days 4/4/2014 4:54 PM

31 equestrian trails 4/4/2014 12:49 AM

32 Non-potable water access is acceptable. 3/31/2014 4:13 PM

33 equestrian facilities 3/31/2014 10:46 AM

34 does it allow a multi-day trip from campground to campground (solo, couple, or small group) 3/28/2014 2:48 PM

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35 allows alcohol and campfires 3/25/2014 10:57 PM

36 allows dogs 3/24/2014 2:48 PM

37 Horse parking 3/21/2014 10:00 PM

38 horse trailer parking 3/21/2014 5:44 AM

39 I camp with horses, so equestrian trails are important! 3/20/2014 9:15 PM

40 equestrian trails 3/20/2014 8:45 PM

41 room for large rigs. 3/20/2014 4:30 PM

42 horse corrals, trails 3/20/2014 4:13 PM

43 Equestrian trails 3/20/2014 1:38 PM

44 equestrian facilities 3/20/2014 11:13 AM

45 equestrian trails 3/20/2014 10:51 AM

46 Horse friendly camping 3/20/2014 10:46 AM

47 horse corrals 3/20/2014 9:34 AM

48 An area that is OHV legal and friendly. 3/20/2014 9:05 AM

49 equestrian trails/multi-use trails 3/20/2014 8:58 AM

50 Equestrian facilities 3/20/2014 6:32 AM

51 Quiet (our group didn't like hearing guns at Anthony Chabot) 3/20/2014 12:45 AM

52 be able to camp with horses 3/19/2014 10:55 PM

53 Equestrian horse trails 3/19/2014 10:46 PM

54 equestrian section & trail access (camp site, pens, water, etc) 3/19/2014 10:37 PM

55 water access 3/19/2014 9:28 PM

56 Equestrian access 3/19/2014 4:42 PM

57 Equestrian trails and camping area 3/19/2014 3:47 PM

58 We love group sites that have covered areas like Gillespie and Wildcat View as well as food storage 3/19/2014 1:20 PM cabinets. The sink at Gillespie is great!

59 equestrian trails, corrals for horses, clean, sanitary toilets, close access to water for horses, showers 3/19/2014 12:48 PM for people,

60 dog friendly 3/18/2014 6:49 PM

61 Quiet time enforced. 3/18/2014 11:57 AM

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Q12 From the list below, please check the three (3) items you would change to make your camping experience more rewarding or to encourage you to camp more often.

Answered: 347 Skipped: 16

closer proximity to...

improv ed / more restrooms

more showers

new campgrounds ...

new campgrounds...

additional camping unit...

more privacy between...

prov ision of all weather...

addition of electronic...

Wi-Fi connectiv ity

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

closer proximity to a drinking water supply 21.90% 76

improved / more restrooms 31.12% 108

more showers 12.39% 43

new campgrounds in remote locations (either family camps, backpack camps, or group camps) 61.10% 212

new campgrounds with boating access to the bay, river (Carquinez Strait), or delta 22.48% 78

additional camping units to expand existing campgrounds 18.73% 65

more privacy between campground units 45.24% 157

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provision of all weather camping cabins or yurts 18.73% 65

addition of electronic device recharging stations 4.61% 16

Wi-Fi connectivity 13.26% 46

Other (please specify) 18.73% 65

Total Respondents: 347

# Other (please specify) Date

1 More RV hookups 4/8/2014 7:22 AM

2 more walk-in campsites (less than 1 mile walk) 4/7/2014 10:20 PM

3 See comment in 13 4/7/2014 8:32 PM

4 Less costly reservation system. 4/7/2014 2:38 PM

5 More backpack camps would be nice and fire pits next to tent pads are great... Connect Miwok 4/7/2014 2:08 PM Trail directly from Round Valley to Morgan Territory so it does not cross through Los Vaqueros. When LV closes their end (because of bird nesting) there is no other connection.... Also, a water source at the western end of Morgan Territory could assist hikers continuing on to Mt. Diablo. Thanks!!!

6 Inexpensive hike/bike campgrounds 4/7/2014 12:57 PM

7 lower cost for equestrian camp 4/7/2014 8:54 AM

8 Medium Sized Group Sites 4/7/2014 8:52 AM

9 Cost 4/6/2014 9:27 PM

10 More back packing camps! 4/6/2014 10:24 AM

11 Ranger talks or hikes 4/6/2014 7:55 AM

12 More group sites; often booked way far in advance 4/5/2014 5:38 PM

13 Add more equestrian camping facilities - at Sunol perhaps? 4/5/2014 5:07 PM

14 More parks that allow swimming 4/5/2014 1:12 PM

15 ability for families/couples to use group equestrian camps when not reserved by a group 4/5/2014 11:37 AM

16 gates close at 10 pm, not at 9 4/5/2014 10:37 AM

17 more rv sites, and with electricity 4/5/2014 10:00 AM

18 security to campers & Earth 4/5/2014 9:50 AM

19 sites for a non-RV trailer 4/5/2014 9:27 AM

20 electrical access for CPAP-without cost associated with full RV hookup 4/5/2014 8:55 AM

21 cell phone access, for emergencies in remote areas 4/5/2014 7:23 AM

22 easily identifiable hiking trails for newbies and seasoned hikers 4/5/2014 12:01 AM

23 Hiker/biker rates like coastal state parks 4/4/2014 6:44 PM

24 allow camping in group sites for small groups 4/4/2014 5:57 PM

25 Some campgrounds have experienced water closures due to draught conditions. This has stopped 4/4/2014 5:35 PM us from using them.

26 more availability/sites - hard to do spur of moment camping. Also more backpack camps 4/4/2014 5:34 PM

27 proximity 4/4/2014 5:32 PM

28 small group equestrian and backpacking sites 4/4/2014 5:18 PM

29 cabins or tent cabins 4/4/2014 5:06 PM

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30 More backcountry sites as well as sites at more parks 4/4/2014 5:01 PM

31 more Full hook-ups 4/4/2014 4:55 PM

32 ability for individuals to use group equestrian camp sites such as Es Anderson, etc. don't keep them 4/4/2014 12:49 AM only for groups

33 less seasonal closings 4/1/2014 10:36 AM

34 facilities for bicyclists 4/1/2014 7:07 AM

35 equestrian access 3/31/2014 10:46 AM

36 more backpacking camp sites 3/31/2014 8:08 AM

37 More equestrian camping options 3/29/2014 8:49 PM

38 campgrounds that would accommodate multi-day backpacking, bicycling, kayaking trips 3/28/2014 2:48 PM

39 Kayak camping at Lake Del Valle 3/23/2014 7:22 AM

40 horse water troughs on trail 3/21/2014 5:44 AM

41 More cell phone service at Del Valle 3/20/2014 9:15 PM

42 Equestrian campgrounds 3/20/2014 8:45 PM

43 More single-track trails versus fire roads linking backpack camps 3/20/2014 8:42 PM

44 road paved and wide enough for large rigs. sites wide and long for big rigs . turn around location 3/20/2014 4:30 PM for large rigs.

45 horse corrals 3/20/2014 4:13 PM

46 More equestrian campsites with outhouses, horse and people water 3/20/2014 1:38 PM

47 Dedicated campsites for underserved groups, like the ones in the Presidio at Camping at the 3/20/2014 11:52 AM Presidio (CAP) Program

48 equestrian facilities 3/20/2014 11:13 AM

49 Horse friendly camping. If I go I take my horse 3/20/2014 10:46 AM

50 morse horse campgrounds with corrals 3/20/2014 9:34 AM

51 Provide OHV areas and camping with my tax $'s 3/20/2014 9:05 AM

52 more equestrian campgrounds in more parks 3/20/2014 8:58 AM

53 more campsites for equestrians and the ablity to reserve indificual sites when group sites are not 3/19/2014 10:46 PM being used

54 equestrian trails 3/19/2014 10:37 PM

55 Camping along regional trails such as Ridge Trail 3/19/2014 10:28 PM

56 More non-group equestrian camping facilities 3/19/2014 9:53 PM

57 more boat-in for human powered boats 3/19/2014 9:28 PM

58 Equestrian camps 3/19/2014 4:42 PM

59 better group sites 3/19/2014 3:16 PM

60 Ability to arrive at reserved site at 9am instead of 2pm 3/19/2014 1:58 PM

61 Build or designate a campsite similar to the Camping at the Presidio Campsites in San Francisco. 3/19/2014 1:20 PM Make them exclusively accessible to low-income and underserved communities. Dedicate outreach efforts to bring those groups to these sites.

62 new equestrian campgrounds 3/19/2014 12:48 PM

63 make kayak access points from the water of existing properties 3/19/2014 12:45 PM

64 Kayak at night 3/18/2014 9:44 PM

65 lower cost 3/18/2014 9:09 PM

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Q13 Do you have any comments you would like to add? (maximum of 140 characters)

Answered: 116 Skipped: 247

# Responses Date

1 The most recent time I went camping at Morgan Territory (spring '12), we did not see another 4/10/2014 10:25 PM person from Friday morning to Sunday morning. It was quite an experience; I've seen more people fifteen miles in in the North Cascades.

2 I would love campgrounds in more parks! Briones, Morgan Territory, Sibley. 4/9/2014 2:04 PM

3 I love camping and I love the Bay Area! 4/8/2014 10:35 PM

4 Would like to be able to find camping sites easier and reserve spots. Also to know what there is to 4/8/2014 3:53 PM do.

5 I haven't camped so close to home before, but would consider doing it in the future. In particular, 4/8/2014 10:33 AM we would be looking for bike camping sites where you don't have to pay as much as you would for camping with a car. The state park service often has bike camping for $1-2/person.

6 Would be willing to pay more for additional amentities. Improvements to the camp store at Del 4/8/2014 10:02 AM Valle and add a camp store at Anthony Chabot.

7 No 4/8/2014 7:22 AM

8 Please allow families/small groups to book the equestrian camp sites for a lower cost, when not 4/7/2014 8:32 PM being used by large groups.

9 Pt Pinole campsite is awesome. 4/7/2014 1:36 PM

10 prefer inexpensive remote, unimproved backpacking camps to expensive improved ones. I 4/7/2014 12:57 PM shouldn't have to pay family rates just to camp. Many group sites in Briones should be turned into backpack camps, since no one uses them anyways.

11 It's nice to have flush toilets and showers for the less outdoorsy type that want to be part of a group 4/7/2014 12:47 PM outing

12 Equestrian Camping 4/7/2014 12:30 PM

13 Camping with Scouts, 8 people/site doesn't work - need about 20. Need online reservation system 4/7/2014 8:52 AM for all sites - not just the RV sites.

14 Reservations for group camping would be preferred if online as i can never remember to call 4/6/2014 7:53 PM during work hours.

15 i think revervations should open 1 month earlier for park members..maybe you would get more! 4/6/2014 6:41 PM

16 I find it very difficult to reserve campgrounds that are not in Reserve America, like Coyote Hills, or 4/6/2014 3:08 PM Garin. I would totally camp there if it was all online instead first come first serve or having to call ahead of time.

17 My family and I are very fortunate to live in an area that cares so much about their parks! Thank 4/6/2014 10:24 AM you

18 I would like to be able to do more equestrian camping in more remote areas of EBRP that is not 4/6/2014 9:38 AM sponsored by a group/organization. But most equestrian camps cannot be reserved for individuals and they would be too expensive for just a few people.

19 It would be wonderful to have trails connect between parks so you could hike from one to another 4/5/2014 9:51 PM and camp. Features like easy access to water or pleasant camping locations that offer shade and privacy are always a plus.

20 I have used USFS campgrounds for decades because I dislike campgrounds jammed together. 4/5/2014 8:55 PM Now that I'm older it will be harder to go to remote areas. I'll be interested in seeing what EBRPD develops.

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21 yes, it would be great and would encourage a lot more use if smaller groups were able to camp in 4/5/2014 8:12 PM most Regional Parks--so far can only reserve for very large ones.

22 Tilden by little farm on the loup trail has a couple great sites, would love to use the kitchen! Would 4/5/2014 5:38 PM love a sink, a closer wash room.

23 See above 4/5/2014 5:07 PM

24 More primitive backpacking sites should be the priority, in my opinion. 4/5/2014 3:58 PM

25 Drill a dip well to pump enough water for service at Del Valle Regional Park for drought or wet 4/5/2014 1:14 PM season

26 additional equestrian campgrounds at other east bay parks would be nice (e.g. at Las Trampas 4/5/2014 11:37 AM

27 I would like to see more available overnight camping (primitive sites OK) so that a hiker can 4/5/2014 11:35 AM backpack the extensively connected trails in the EBRP system.

28 Please allow for entering/re-entering campgrounds as late as 10 pm rather than the current 9 pm. 4/5/2014 10:37 AM

29 Nice job, We have a great resource in this park system 4/5/2014 10:00 AM

30 As our World is changing some for good & some for bad, our respect & out look etc. also has to 4/5/2014 9:50 AM adapt. Gone are those days when I remember camping just about anywhere. People's actions & respect for one another have taken a turn in a different direction. I know I have to think of caution as priorty one, before the adventure use to be number one. All one has to do is look @ places like the PCT, JMT & AT to see what people can do to the enviroment & Mother Earth. Most are good & respect the above, but as you know it takes but a few to mess it up for all. I miss the old way, but I know thats history. Priority has to be Earth as man is destroying our planet on a soon to be irreversible course.

31 Can't say I've camped a lot in EBRP. Would like to do more, but now we have a tear-drop trailer, 4/5/2014 9:27 AM would like to see more sites for that type of trailer. No RV hook-ups needed.

32 Thank you so much for providing the opportunity for us to camp! I hope always get all the funding 4/5/2014 8:31 AM you desire!

33 If you considered adding an online camping trip that families could sign up for and pay, in order to 4/4/2014 11:38 PM have a guide teach group what camping is all about, that would vd awesome. Hundreds would sign up as a lot of my friends would want to camp but don't know how. Two or three families can sign up in one session for a day or two with a park ranger showing us through it all, setting up tents, cooking food, extra curricular activities for kids etc...

34 I would really like to see some remote backpacker campsites, perhaps along the Bay Ridge and 4/4/2014 11:23 PM Bay trails.

35 These are things that would discourage my use of campsites: wi-fi, electronic device charging, 4/4/2014 10:27 PM cabins, more showers, improved restrooms.

36 I wish you had more full hookups in campgrounds 4/4/2014 10:21 PM

37 We have not used the reservation system. Since the East Bay parks are close to home our camping 4/4/2014 7:37 PM is usually last minute and we return home if there are no open sites.

38 I am not familiar with EBRP campgrounds but would like to become so. 4/4/2014 7:01 PM

39 I tend to go during the week when there are less people camping, so not really sure about how 4/4/2014 6:50 PM crowded it gets on the weekend and how much access there is. It would be good to perhaps have a number that can be called to get a ranger quickly if there is a problem (last time we had someone come in at 2 a.m. and proceed to set up camp with a lot of noise, chopping of wood, etc. He did get arrested the next day but it would have been good to be able to contact someone at that point.)

40 so much open space with so much no camping unless you are a big noisy, no-profit. whom are you 4/4/2014 6:48 PM serving?

41 Ditto the comments above 4/4/2014 6:44 PM

42 More sites in the bay area 4/4/2014 6:40 PM

43 It is VERY difficult to have a last minute camping trip and the weather here is difficulty to plan 4/4/2014 6:08 PM easy on advance around.

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44 Is the youth camp on South Park drive in Tilden available to the public? 4/4/2014 5:55 PM

45 I'm a Two Day Town volunteer but I come early and stay at the public campground. I'm interested 4/4/2014 5:32 PM in camping by bicycle, particularly at Chabot, Del Valle, Crown Beach/Crab Cove. Also there's a campground near the USS Hornet in Alameda. Is that yours?

46 I like the idea of group camping but find the current group camps hard to reserve and understand 4/4/2014 5:30 PM where they are. Most times I group camp I don't want to hike in. I also would love to see more camping in/near redwoods.

47 The cost of campsites are really getting high. We used to camp more when it was cheaper, but 4/4/2014 5:24 PM now cost is a real factor. I'd love to have an overhaul of the camping fees and reduce them. I'd much rather camp than stay at a friend's house, but not if it's going to cost me as much as it does now. Thanks for listening.

48 I would like there to be new family campgrounds in some of the parks where you can't see or hear 4/4/2014 5:14 PM the city (i.e. Briones, Black Diamond, etc.). Also, I would like campsites designed for larger families (8-15 people).

49 No 4/4/2014 5:09 PM

50 We love Chabot. The ranger staff are not that nice but we like that it is close to home. 4/4/2014 5:06 PM

51 need more campsites 4/4/2014 4:59 PM

52 I like to camp & hike with my well behaved dogs. EBRPD staff is very helpful & friendly toward us. 4/4/2014 4:58 PM

53 Thanks for always keeping the park so clean. 4/4/2014 4:55 PM

54 All equestrian camp sites should be made available for individuals to reserve and camp at when 4/4/2014 12:49 AM they have not been already reserved by a group. Many equestrians who like to camp and trail ride do not belong to a riding club. They still would like to be able to utilize equestrian campsites. All equestrian campsites should be available for individual reservation use if not previously reserved by an equestrian group.

55 More Camp Grounds 4/2/2014 9:08 AM

56 The scope and quality of the EBRPD is world class 4/1/2014 10:36 AM

57 You should list bicyclists in the introductory remarks. 4/1/2014 7:07 AM

58 I would love to see an update on local parks. Which ones have improvements and which will be 3/31/2014 5:26 PM opening soon. I'm most interested in vargas plateau, I want to take a bunch of my children's friends camping near by. Niles hills are gorgeous.

59 I love your backpacking sites.They are like a hidden gem in the spring and fall. 3/31/2014 4:13 PM

60 We would LOVE to camp closer to home but there is a real shortage of backpacking/hike in sites for 3/31/2014 8:14 AM smaller groups.

61 Add more options for equestrians to camp with horses. We rarely use EBRPD parks for camping 3/29/2014 8:49 PM because horse camping is so incredibly limited. We camp elsewhere!

62 I love to tour: by foot, bicycle, kayak. So I want to go from park to park and camp in several of them 3/28/2014 2:48 PM (solo or couple or a few people).

63 More family campgrounds! Esp at parks with lots of fun trails like Briones, Redwood, or Black 3/25/2014 10:57 PM Diamond Mines.

64 More upkeep of Camp Ohlone, reopen Sunol family campsites 3/25/2014 5:43 PM

65 Campgrounds should be off limits to for-profit daycamps, and reserved for public use only. Day-use 3/25/2014 4:14 PM only sites are adequate for daycamp use.

66 Having to phone to reserve group sites is a pain. If you simply put more info on your site about the 3/25/2014 1:20 PM rules, why not then allow on-line.

37 / 40 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT Overnight Camping Survey

67 I would like to see a program similar to the Rob Hill Campground in the Presidio that is co- 3/22/2014 8:43 AM managed with Bay ARea Wilderness Training (BAWT). This program provides camping equipment to low-income groups and schools, along with training for volunteers. This program provides access to camping and nature to people who might otherwise never get to experience it. As a trained BAWT leader, naturalist, and middle school science teacher, I would be interested in helping to get a program like this started in the East Bay. I am based in Livermore and would be most interested in promoting use of areas in the eastern sections, but am open.

68 Please develop Eckley Pier, Brown's Is. and Big Break for kayak camping on your reservation 3/21/2014 12:34 PM system. Please use a better take out than Pt. Pinole has at these places

69 I am satisfied with the group camps, but add more remote primitive backpack camps that are NOT 3/20/2014 8:42 PM overdeveloped and only accessible by single-track hiking trails.

70 Kayak camping at Eckley Pier and at Big Break would be AWESOME!! 3/20/2014 5:43 PM

71 I would love to see a more extensive network of backpacking camps throughout the EB Parks. 3/20/2014 4:59 PM Thank you.

72 Use of 12 x 12 pens for our horses makes it safer for all. 3/20/2014 2:56 PM

73 It would be great if EB regional parks could replicate the Camping at the Presidio program in one 3/20/2014 11:52 AM of it park properties. http://www.parksconservancy.org/learn/educators/camping-at-the-presidio/ This program has over 7,000 camp nights of uses every year. It is an amazing resource. Over 1,500 camp nights per year are from groups from Contra Costa and Alameda counties traveling across the Bay to go camping when they should be camping in EBRPD sites and properties. Build or designate a campsite similar to the Camping at the Presidio Campsites in San Francisco. Make them exclusively accessible to low-income and underserved communities. Dedicate outreach efforts to bring those groups to these sites.

74 Access to camping gear, on possibly transportation for area youth groups/schools that do not have 3/20/2014 11:49 AM money to camp.

75 would like to see some of the single track trails for only EQ, I don't mind sharing the trails but some 3/20/2014 11:47 AM of them are dangerous in having turns you cannot see... Or have one way single tracks so we don't have head on collisions

76 If I go Camping I take my horse. So horse frieldly camping areas are where I go. I don't have to 3/20/2014 10:46 AM have corrals and such. But I do need access to water and places for my horse and trailer to fit.

77 Remove the Tesla area from the EBRPD map. Have your B.O. D. Leader(?) Answer the question as 3/20/2014 9:05 AM to why he refuses to appropriately respond to the State of California on real estate EBRPD does not own or manage. Add OHV use areas to your list of "What I want to do".

78 We would love to explore more East Bay Regional Parks if there were more places to camp with 3/20/2014 8:58 AM our horses, even in small groups or individual sites (see Cuneo Creek campground, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, offers individual and group). Thank you for this opportunity for input.

79 More equestrian facilities please 3/20/2014 6:32 AM

80 Thank you for keeping the parks nice. 3/20/2014 5:07 AM

81 Didn't even know y'all had overnight camping! 3/19/2014 11:07 PM

82 Would love to camp with my horses 3/19/2014 10:55 PM

83 Planning on an East Bay camping trip – just have been going to other places further away! So 3/19/2014 10:11 PM these opinions are based on other Bay Area campsites.

84 Although there are several group equestrian camp areas in various parks, there are only 2 non- 3/19/2014 9:53 PM group equestrian camp sites in all the parks. The group equestrian areas are not used all the time and it would be great if they were made available to individuals at a reduced rate when not used by groups.

85 It would be great if the EBRP could replicate a program like camping at the presidio. I am an 3/19/2014 8:31 PM educator and we take youth to Tilden every year. It would be awesome to have dedicated campsites for underserved youth in the Bay Area.

86 The new water trail in the bay has no camping so its not possible to do multi day trips 3/19/2014 8:18 PM

87 Don't add wifi! 3/19/2014 8:12 PM

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88 You should talk to the Crissy Field Center. The CAP program is the model!!!! 3/19/2014 6:25 PM

89 Engage a youth outdoor group like BAWT to operate a camp program like Camping at the 3/19/2014 5:19 PM Presidio. Also create a series of trail campsites, primitive with access to water spigots within one kilometer of the camp. Use these to support the Bay Ridge Trail. Build them with California Youth Authority labor.

90 I have many childhood memories camping at Del Valle. Keep up the good work! I went through 3/19/2014 5:18 PM BAWT's CAP program and I take youth camping. Major challenges is proximity to home(s), transportation and finding places that offer activities close to the camp site.

91 As it typically with EBRPD you can't even imagine that a cyclists would use a bike trailer to go 3/19/2014 4:02 PM camping. Get with the program! There are thousands and thousands of cyclists and only a handful of equestrians yet the District will make sure that there are equestrian camps, but not a thought will go towards what might interest a cyclists. The Districts continued inability to address the ACTUAL users base is so tiresome.

92 I do love the EBRPD Parks and preserves. Please try and patrol the single track trail in your parks. I 3/19/2014 3:47 PM have been almost run down by bicycles on trails marked "No Bikes" Dangerous. They can't stop and I am not as spry as I was.

93 It's crucial to close campsite gaps on long-distance/regional trails 3/19/2014 3:44 PM

94 We enjoy camping in the Regional Parks, it would be nice if there was a non-profit price for 3/19/2014 3:16 PM programs that work with high risk low income youth, families and communities

95 Please consider boat in only campgrounds in your plan. Thank You 3/19/2014 2:11 PM

96 It is difficult to enjoy our time at the site when we can only be there by 2pm and then must leave 3/19/2014 1:58 PM by noon. Should be able to rent the campsite from 9am or 10am till 2pm the following day.

97 I work with Bay Area Wilderness Training, and I fully support their work with EBRPD to provide 3/19/2014 1:53 PM additional access to underserved communities. In particular, it would be great if EB regional parks could replicate the Camping at the Presidio program in one of it park properties. http://www.parksconservancy.org/learn/educators/camping-at-the-presidio/ This program have over 7,000 camp nights of uses every year. It is an amazing resource. Over 1,500 camp nights per year are from groups from Contra Costa and Alameda counties traveling across the Bay to go camping when they should be camping in EBRPD sites and properties. I strongly urge you to consider building or designating a campsite similar to the Camping at the Presidio Campsites in San Francisco. Make them exclusively accessible to low-income and underserved communities. Dedicate outreach efforts to bring those groups to these sites. Thank you for your time!

98 It would be great if EB regional parks could replicate the Camping at the Presidio program in one 3/19/2014 1:20 PM of it park properties. http://www.parksconservancy.org/learn/educators/camping-at-the-presidio/ This program have over 7,000 camp nights of uses every year. It is an amazing resource. Over 1,500 camp nights per year are from groups from Contra Costa and Alameda counties traveling across the Bay to go camping when they should be camping in EBRPD sites and properties.

99 more boat-in only campgrounds would be great! 3/19/2014 1:11 PM

100 We use Caballo Loco every year, but the restroom facilities are repugnant. They are smelly, 3/19/2014 12:48 PM dilapidated, and generally too full. In the summer months they are unreasonable. In drought years it would be good if the hoses for horse water didn't leak. thanks for asking!!

101 Very glad this is being researched. 3/19/2014 12:45 PM

102 please improve the restrooms at Caballo Loco, you would have increased usage and activity in 3/19/2014 11:21 AM that campground if the restroom facilities were improved

103 have don edwards build a real visitor center instead of a trailer. they are 5 years overdue 3/19/2014 11:07 AM

104 I have not camped in regional parks, but fully intend to. I've heard a lot of good things about the 3/19/2014 9:25 AM bay water trail, and hope to use it.

105 EBParks is a fabulous resource for the Bay Area! 3/19/2014 7:25 AM

106 no 3/19/2014 1:29 AM

107 the less restrictions the better! Even primitive sites are wonderful - proximity to a regularly flowing 3/18/2014 11:39 PM stream is all i need :)

108 Kayak water-trail along the delta. 3/18/2014 6:41 PM

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109 I have not camped in EBR Parks yet, but would consider doing so if I knew more about it. 3/18/2014 5:24 PM

110 Day Camp groups should not be allowed to reserve camp grounds during the summer. They should 3/18/2014 4:17 PM be available to overnight users instead.

111 PLEASE keep the cost to camp down! It's gotten prohibitive. Thank for the opportunity for input! BJ 3/18/2014 4:15 PM

112 I enjoy kayak campouts and would like to see that option with the EBRPD 3/18/2014 3:28 PM

113 I have never camped in an EBRP because I didn't know that there was any camping. I am 3/18/2014 3:27 PM interested in boat-in camping.

114 More Backpacking Locations, Primative Sites 3/18/2014 3:03 PM

115 LOVE the yurt/cabin idea. Maybe more sep between Motorhome and tent camping, used to MH 3/18/2014 11:57 AM camp and loved it, but it is a different experience and I think conflicts with most tent camping because of more tech/appliances/tv

116 Our family is outdoor & science educators, and we are very frequent hikers (mostly Redwood, 3/18/2014 11:39 AM Sibley, & Tilden) and also really appreciate the safe & affordable rifle and trap ranges at the Chabot Marksmanship Range.

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