May - June 2014 80 Years of Recreation and Preservation... See Page 2. Photo: Museum of the San Ramon Valley, #17-20080320009 Then: From 1890 to the mid-1970s, In 1982 the State Legislature Today: Developed incrementally since – all forms of transportation except trains of the Southern Pacifi c Railroad recognized the need to preserve the 1987, the Iron Horse Regional Trail motorized. It is used extensively by chugged through the Diablo and right of way as a public multi-use trail now extends along the former railbed children on their way to school, adults San Ramon valleys from Suisun Bay and provided $2 million in planning for 30 miles between Concord and commuting to job sites and shopping to Pleasanton, serving the farming and development funds. Land acquisition Pleasanton, with connections along centers, and all ages for recreation communities along the way. The photo began in 1984, cooperatively funded the way to a network of other and exercise. At “intermodal” points, shows the Danville depot in 1895. by all levels of government plus private regional trails. It is multi-use, open to the trail accesses bus and Bay Area With the advent of better roadways and corporate donations. Crucial hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders Rapid Transit lines. and reduced movement of agricultural support came from a grass-roots goods, the railroad was abandoned. citizens’ group, the Right of Way By 1978 all the tracks had been removed. Trail Advocates. Inside: Swim Lessons and Jr. Lifeguards • page 4 Kayaking Opportunities • page 4 Learn to Fish! • page 4 Discover Bird Days in May • page 8 Day Camps for the Kids • pages 6, 7, & 11 Healthy Parks Healthy People and 80th Anniversary activities, see page 2. Contents Aquatics/Jr. Lifeguards .........4 CELEBRATE HEALTHY PARKS HEALTHY PEOPLE Recreation Programs ......5-4 Kayaking ............................. 4 JUNE IS GET OUTDOORS MONTH Pole Hiking & Fishing ......5 A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER ROBERT E. DOYLE Parkn” It Day Camps ......6 he East Bay Regional Park District use and enjoyment of parks. Nearly demonstrations. You can also Ardenwood ....................... 6-7 Tis celebrating our 80th anniversary every county and regional park system meet a unique camping pack animal: Big Break ..........................7, 10 of connecting parks to people and how in the Bay Area now offers a free the llama. Black Diamond ...................10 better than by spotlighting Healthy healthy program on the First Saturday On Sunday, June 8, discover the Parks Healthy People (HPHP), a of each month. Botanic Garden ..................10 culture, adventures, and natural worldwide campaign that encourages Healthy Parks Healthy People is a year- world surrounding Big Break Visitor Coyote Hills ...................10-11 healthy active fun in the outdoors, and round initiative that kicks into high Center at the Delta in Oakley. Games, Crab Cove ............................11 appreciation and stewardship of our gear in June, when we celebrate with activities, and nature walks are all parks and open space areas. We’ve Sunol ......................................11 special healthy and environmentally part of the Delta adventure, and the taken a leadership role in the HPHP friendly events and programs at various evening features the fi rst of this year’s Tilden Nature Area ......11-13 United States initiative, advancing parks all across the District. Second Sundays in the Park campfi re the fact that public parks are vital for HPHP Bay Area Programs ..12 The whole family can have a Healthy series. A really fun and healthy way for human and societal health and for the the family to spend the day! Other Regional Parks ...13-14 wellbeing of the environmental and Day by the Bay at the Tidewater Volunteer Programs ..........14 ecological sustainability. Boating Center in Oakland on As you read through this publication Saturday, June 1. There will be free look for the Healthy parks Healthy Registration & Fees............ 15 The Park District is part of a growing biking, hiking, and canoeing adventures People icon to fi nd healthy programs Visitor Centers/ network of HPHP partner agencies on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis happening soon at a park near you. working to improve the health and Swim Areas .......................... 15 – AND we provide the equipment! We hope you’ll be inspired to get wellbeing of all Bay Area residents, Drop-in activities include arts and healthy and active outdoors in especially children and those with high crafts, fi eld games, and camping gear your Regional Parks. health needs, by fostering regular Get outdoors! Find fun and free activities in this edition of the Regional General Information/Free Brochure In Nature 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 Activity Guide. Camping & Picnic Reservations ...... ................................1-888-EBPARKS Naturalist & Recreation TH NNIVERSARY Programs ..............1-888-EBPARKS 80 A TDD ...........................510-633-0460 EVENTS Website ..............www.ebparks.org Date Event May 3 International Migratory Bird Day EBRPD Board of Directors at MLK Shoreline, Oakland Whitney Dotson ........................Ward 1 John Sutter ..................................Ward 2 May 10- 80th Anniversary Exhibit at Museum Carol Severin ..............................Ward 3 June 8 of San Ramon Valley, Danville Douglas Siden .............................Ward 4 Ayn Wieskamp (President) .......Ward 5 June 1-30 All month long - Healthy Parks Beverly Lane ...............................Ward 6 Healthy People programs at all Ted Radke ....................................Ward 7 10 Regional Park Visitor Centers Robert E. Doyle ......General Manager MAKING A DIFFERENCE June 8 Bird and Butterfl y Festival The soccer fi eld of the large and popular at Coyote Hills, Fremont Visit www.ebparks.org for map Pinole Valley Park was renovated in downloads, activity and event June 13 80th Anniversary - Summer Concert 2013 with $329,000 of the Measure information, and much more! at Crab Cove, Alameda WW funds. The $500 million Measure WW, approved by voters June 18- 80th Anniversary Exhibit in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in 2008, has awarded more July 6 at Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton than $84 million in funding for local projects. Did You Know Animals in Your Parks... WILDLIFE AT QUARRY LAKES Health rom 1881 to 1960, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond was a gunpowder and dynamite manufacturing site, producing Matters F Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in more than two billion pounds of dynamite before the Regional Fremont is home to eight special status wildlife Parks acquired the property in 1973 from Bethlehem Steel. species. Two birds – the Alameda song sparrow In the mid-1800s, and saltmarsh yellow throat – are species East Bay Regional Park District Ardenwood Historic at risk. Volunteers have built nesting boxes AND Farm in Fremont was and platforms for tree swallows, wood ducks the prosperous farm and and western grebes. Trees planted ten years country estate of George ago are designed to enhance bird and wildlife ARE PROUD PARTNERS Washington Patterson. habitat. By capturing the sun’s energy, lakeshore IN 2014 WITH THE MUTUAL GOAL It was turned over to plants form the basis of a complex food web. OF PROMOTING HEALTH AND FITNESS. the City of Fremont in An amazing array of insects feed on shoreline 1978, and the East Bay plants before becoming food themselves for Stay Healthy Regional Park District has frogs, fi sh, and birds. in Summer operated the property as International Migratory Bird Day, the second a fully functioning 19th- Conditions Saturday in May, celebrates and brings attention century farm since 1985. Protect your health and be A dynamite barge in Point Pinole to bird migration, one of the most important and spectacular occurrences in nature. You prepared when you venture can learn about the importance and status outdoors in summer. of migratory birds at many of your Regional • For hikes labeled “challenging,” Parks. And you can help preserve our wildlife or on days when the temperature and their homes in creeks, lakes and bays by is over 90 degrees, allow extra preventing trash, vehicle fl uids, and household time and take more water. Hikers chemicals from entering your storm drains. should wear sturdy shoes with Photo: Robin Mayoff Robin Photo: DROUGHT Western ankle support. grebe • Wear protective clothing, such CAUSES IMPACTS courtship as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a IN REGIONAL PARKS dance wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. • Generously apply a broad- spectrum, water-resistant Despite some recent rains, California’s drought is causing epic sunscreen with a Sun Protection impacts throughout the State, including at East Bay Regional parklands. Factor (SPF) of 30 or more Park District staff have reduced irrigation by 20 percent, as requested to all exposed skin. “Broad- by the Governor. The limitation, or in some cases complete lack of spectrum” provides protection water, may greatly reduce recreational access to some of our busiest from both ultraviolet A (UVA) lakes, including Del Valle, Shadow Cliffs and Quarry Lakes. Jerry Ting Photo: and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Anticipated low lake levels may affect the ability to maintain basic Reapply approximately every sanitary services for restrooms and drinking water at some parks. 80th Anniversary Exhibit two hours, even on cloudy days, Drought conditions will also impact adequate fi re protection MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY, and after swimming or sweating. resources and access to recreational