Challenge Accepted
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SUMMER 2018 Challenge Accepted THE KATAYANAGI FAMILY AND THOUSanDS OF OTHER PARK VISitORS MARK THE 25TH anniVERSARY OF THE TRaiLS CHALLEngE IN THIS ISSUE: TILDen FOREVER P. 4 | intO the REDWOODS P. 12 | A PLAnneD SHORELine PARK P. 16 DID YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK This year marks a milestone time for the Park District KNOW? Fun facts about the with the 25th anniversary of the Trails Challenge and East Bay Regional park membership at an all-time high. The vital role our Park District parks play in keeping the East Bay happy, healthy and active is clearer than ever. Park visitors of all ages can take part in the annual Trails Challenge—finding new paths to hike and parks to explore. A few years ago, the Foundation heard from two senior women who had been walking together at Lake Chabot for decades. After taking the challenge, one of the women shared: “I get to see new places, clear my head and get healthy. I feel great about it.” The Trails Challenge had a similar impact on our cover subjects: Jonathan, Donica, Penny and Rocky Katayanagi. Jonathan and his daughter, Penny, took on the 2017 Trails Challenge when Penny was 6, completing all five trails in one day. Now, the challenge is a family tradition, with all $192,839 four of them hitting the trails together—and fostering a lifelong love Total amount of bequests given to of hiking. the Foundation in 2017 Inspiring people to be active and enjoy our beautiful regional parks is one of the best parts of the Trails Challenge, and it’s why the program continues to grow. Here’s to another 25 years! Carol Johnson Robert Doyle Executive Director General Manager Regional Parks Foundation East Bay Regional Park District 743 The number of Foundation-funded REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION swim lessons given in 2017 Board of Directors ELSON ELSON PRESIDENT Nathan Falk Jack Uhalade N Chip Conradi Terasu, LLC NBC Universal NE Retired, The Clorox Company Walton Gill Keith White R Chevron Gap, Inc. VICE-prESIDENT , VE John Dilsaver Les Hausrath Steve Wood R Real Estate Broker Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean REI, Inc. Robert Jacques EX OFFICIO UMPLE TrEASURER Destination Wealth Management Helane Morrison Dennis Waespi Cr Hall Capital Partners LLC Audree Jones-Taylor President, Board of Directors, C Retired, City of Oakland R East Bay Regional Park District A SEcrETARY Renee Kemp M Peter Liu Media Consultant GENERAL MANAGER Clean Energy Advantage Robert Doyle Jenny Mack East Bay Regional Park District D (3), DIRECTORS Kaiser Permanente Northern California P R Lisa Baldinger EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Martin EB East Bay Regional Park District Drake’s Brewing Company Carol Johnson 168 Regional Parks Foundation Jess Brown Thomas Meier OM: Bird species and subspecies spotted Pacific Gas & Electric Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. tt Patricia Deutsche Brian Sharpes at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline O BO Andeavor Graystone Consulting LEY T Shorebird Sanctuary in 2017 D OP Copyright 2018, Regional Parks Foundation, P.O. Box 21074, Crestmont Station, T Oakland, CA 94620, 510-544-2202, www.RegionalParksFoundation.org. A biannual publication of the Regional Parks Foundation. : CALI GO R E V THIS PAGE, On the cover: Trails Challenge participants (pictured clockwise) CO Jonathan, Donica, Penny and Rocky Katayanagi. 2 > regional parks Foundation TRAILHEAD 2018 Summer MEMBER SPOTLIGHT! Park membership has many benefits, including free access to swim facilities. Join the Fun Membership is booming in the East Bay Regional Park District—bringing health and recreation benefits to more people throughout the area Regional Parks Foundation membership is at an all-time The Antrims, who have two grown daughters and four high, with 10,528 Members enjoying hiking, swimming grandchildren, also visited Tilden Regional Park and other local and many other recreational activities that the Park parks when their children were young. “We’ve been involved in District has to offer. recreation ever since we got married,” says Bonita (the couple is “People are taking advantage of the parks to lead a healthier going on 65 years together). “My children and grandchildren all lifestyle,” says Juliana Schirmer, development director for the take advantage of activities in the parks as well.” Foundation. Becoming a Member is more convenient than ever with the From signing up for the Trails Challenge (see page 6 for recent introduction of on-site membership sales in select parks more) to walking the dog, Members are finding ways to be more with point-of-sale systems. REI also began membership sales in active and incorporate fresh-air outings into their lives. Take five Bay Area stores in May. 84-year-old Jack Antrim, who—along with his wife, Bonita— “We want to make it even easier for people to become joined the membership program in 1998. The Hayward resident Members,” says Michele Kageura, membership development goes fishing in his small aluminum boat at Quarry Lakes Regional officer. “Our Members really take pride in giving to the parks, as Recreation Area at least three days a week. well as enjoying benefits such as swimming, fishing and parking “My husband has been a fisherman for almost as long as I’ve for free.” known him,” says Bonita. “He is big fan of the East Bay Regional Parks, and the staff is so kind to him. He needs the rowing for his For more membership information, visit upper-body strength, and it is such good physical therapy for him.” www.RegionalParksFoundation.org/mem. EBRPD Compass < 3 trailHead Summer 2018 FAMILY ZONE The historic merry-go-round celebrates 70 years at Tilden Regional Park this year. Protecting the People’s Playground Upgrades and renovations help keep Tilden Regional Park a destination for visitors of all ages Considered the crown jewel in the East Bay Regional Park GROUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENT District, Tilden Regional Park (originally called Wildcat Keeping this beloved and busy park in top condition takes commitment Canyon) is one of the District’s oldest parks and has been a and work at multiple levels. Funds from Measure CC, a parcel tax for treasured playground for the East Bay since it first opened in 1936. the western parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties that is due Tilden boasts many historic attractions including the Regional Parks for extension on the June 2018 ballot, helped finance upgrades to the Botanic Garden, the original Redwood Valley Railway steam train, a original infrastructure at the EEC; a new hand-washing station and carousel, the Little Farm and the Environmental Education Center electrical and roof improvements at the Little Farm; and a new (EEC) on its 2,079 acres. The park also offers a wealth of educational sprinkler system and weather-tight enclosure at the merry-go-round. and recreational activities—making it a memorable destination for The Regional Parks Foundation also supported major renovations generations of families. to the merry-go-round in 2008. The 1911 Herschell-Spillman carousel “Tilden has something for everyone,” says Dave Zuckermann, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and celebrates regional interpretive and recreation services manager. “It has this 70 years at Tilden this year. EWIS amazing, unique combination of open space and everything from Additionally, Measure CC funds went to help restore the District’s L swimming or golf or seeing heritage animals at the Little Farm. Depression-era topographical model that was installed at the EEC in A lot of people grew up coming here and now they take their kids.” 2016. “That map is a bit of the Park District’s history and was part of SHELLY 4 > reGIONAL parks FOUndatION FAMILY ZONE the campaign to create the District,” says Zuckermann. He also cites a recent Foundation-backed upgrade to a historic windmill at the Little Farm; the windmill now pumps water, allowing it to be used in educational demonstrations for young visitors. THE SHAPE of WateR Rehabilitation projects at Tilden go beyond structural improvements, however. A current stewardship effort is working on dredging a sediment basin within Wildcat Creek that feeds into Jewel Lake. “Sedimentation is filling in the lake so you have less open water, less area for western pond turtles, less area for ducks and other migratory birds that might want to stop and forage,” says Matt Graul, chief of stewardship. A second phase of the plan is restoring two ponds near the EEC, improving their ability to hold water and expanding their size. From explorations around Jewel Lake to animal “We’re going to connect the two ponds with a demonstration encounters at the Little Farm, the 740-acre Tilden Nature Area offers a variety of family-friendly activities. stream channel that will allow us to interpret the stream with kids,” says Graul. “They can get in and observe a typical stream ecosystem without going into the main part of Wildcat Creek, where you could have ecological damage.” The undertaking also calls for the construction of a small overlook and mini amphitheater at one of the ponds (funded with a donation received through the Foundation) that will provide space for interpretive programming on the pond systems. The restoration/improvement plan begins this summer and should be completed in the fall. LooKinG TowaRD THE FUTURE Among the projects under development at Tilden is a major overhaul of the EEC, though what form that takes is still to be determined. “The existing EEC is well-loved, but it is old. It opened in 1974, and it has a lot of maintenance needs,” says Zuckermann. “The District is taking a close look at the best way to modernize it.” A recent study of the EEC conducted by an outside firm is currently under review.