Juneteenth A Free Park Day in Regional Parks
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH
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The Park District is celebrating Juneteenth this year with a Free Park Day in recognition of the date when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were notified of their freedom, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. While Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant in April 1865, fighting continued in Texas for nearly two months. On June 2, 1865, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith finally surrendered. A few weeks later, on June 19, U.S. troops landed in Galveston, Texas, confirming the end of the Civil War and slavery in Texas. Today, the abolition of slavery and emancipation of Black Americans in Texas is celebrated on June 19 annually as Juneteenth.
The Park District is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and making our parks and agency more welcoming and reflective of the communities we serve. Park District fees waived for Juneteenth include park entrance, parking, dogs, horses, boat launching, and fishing. However, the fee waiver does not apply to swimming, camping, reservable picnic facilities (due to capacity limits), District concessions, and state fees for fishing licenses, and watercraft inspections for invasive mussels.
The Park District is also celebrating Juneteenth with several naturalist-led programs (see Featured Activities below).
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Pride and Parks: All Are Welcome Here |
The East Bay Regional Park District is committed to stewarding a rich heritage of open space and parks with diverse ecosystems. Join us in celebrating diversity in parks and creating welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy. More Info.
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Reminder: No Fireworks Allowed in Regional Parks |
As we approach the Independence Day holiday, we remind visitors that fireworks are not allowed in ANY of the Regional Parks, trails or shorelines. Fire risk is very high and fireworks pose a significant fire danger. Police and fire agencies in the region are on high alert - please celebrate safely this Fourth of July. |
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While some Park District swimming facilities re-opened Memorial Day weekend, several facilities remained closed due to blue-green algae and required construction and maintenance. Cull Canyon and Don Castro offer an optional swim entry registration on weekends and holidays to guarantee admission. Visitors should always check ebparks.org/swimming for swimming facility status before they go. More Info.
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Contra Loma Swim Lagoon
Park District Providing Alternate Swim Access and Programs at Ambrose Aquatic Center
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The Contra Loma swim lagoon will not be open for the 2022 swim season due to required maintenance and safety repairs.
In the interim, the Park District has partnered with the Ambrose Recreation and Park District to provide additional lifeguard staffing at the Ambrose Aquatic Center from June 20 to September 5, 2022, enhancing water access and open hours at the facility.
Ambrose Aquatic Center was slated to have minimal staffing for 2022 with limited water access and open hours. The Park District’s support allows the aquatic center to be open seven days a week during the 2022 swim season. More Info.
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OpenRoad: The Most Visited Park District in California (Episode 75) |
This past Sunday, NBC Bay Area broadcast the latest installment in its series about the Park District. Discover the inspirational history and legacy of the East Bay Regional Park District. Hear the General Manager's vision for the District’s future and celebrate the expansion of San Francisco Bay Trail as an efficient and healthful way to commute to work. More Info. |
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Honoring Former Board Member Doug Siden
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On June 11, the Crab Cove Visitor Center was renamed for former Park District board member Doug Siden. The longtime Alameda environmentalist retired from the board in 2017, following nearly 25 years of service. An ordained minister who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Siden also advocated for farmworkers with César Chávez and worked to protect and restore Crown Beach and San Leandro’s Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline. Pictured above, L to R: Former GM Bob Doyle, Board Director Dennis Waespi, GM Sabrina Landreth, Board President Colin Coffey, former Board Director Doug Siden, Board Directors Beverly Lane, Ellen Corbett, and Dee Rosario, and former GM Pat O'Brien.
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Campfire Programs: Fun After Dark! |
Enjoy an evening of stories and s’mores at the summer and fall campfire programs scheduled throughout the parks, including Anthony Chabot, Big Break, Del Valle, and new programs at Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay. More Info. |
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All Abilities Day at Big Break: June 28
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Join naturalists and staff at Big Break for All Abilities Day, a program inclusive for all abilities. Travel along paved trails to visit stations to touch fur, listen to birds, draw wildlife, sit on benches to scan the water, or paint the view. More Info. |
Tilden Nature Area Parking Lot Closed for Restriping: July 6-7 |
The Tilden Nature Area parking lot will be closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday and Thursday, July 6-7 for parking stall restriping. Picnic sites, the Little Farm and the Environmental Education Center (EEC) will remain open during this time with pedestrian access on the side of the road. |
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US Representative DeSaulnier Visits Newest Regional Park Site |
On June 1, Park District Board President Coffey and Director Lane hosted US Representative Mark DeSaulnier at the future site of the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 to discuss future plans for the Park District’s newest park. Efforts to advocate for funding and community support are ongoing as is work to bring justice to the 50 sailors wrongly convicted of mutiny.
Pictured above, L to R: Board President Coffey, US Rep. DeSaulnier, Board Director Lane, Pittsburg Vice Mayor Shanelle Scales-Preston.
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Postponed: June 18 Walk & Talk with Asm. Bill Quirk at Hayward Regional Shoreline
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Our Walk & Talk event with Assembly Member Bill Quirk at Hayward Regional Shoreline, originally scheduled on Saturday, June 18, has been postponed. We will update the event information once it has been rescheduled. |
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Botanic Garden Plant Sales through June 29 |
Head to the beautiful Regional Parks Botanic Garden for in-person native plant sales. Choose from a huge selection of California native plants - bring your own boxes or small wagon to load up! Mondays and Wednesdays in June from 10am to noon. More Info. |
Annual Sandcastle and Sculpture Contest Returns to Crown Beach |
On Saturday June 11, beachgoers at Crown Beach enjoyed the annual sand castle and sculpture contest, which returned after a two-year hiatus. Contestants built unique works of art and visitors strolled through to admire the creations. The event was cosponsored by the Alameda Recreation & Parks Dept., East Bay Regional Park District, Alameda Youth Committee, and the Bay View Women's Club. |
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Honoring Fathers on Sunday, June 19 |
Happy Father's Day! Make memories to last a lifetime with a visit to Regional Parks. Take a hike, hop on a bike, head to a pool or beach, or pack up dad's favorite foods for a picnic. Need more ideas? Check out all the programs and activities scheduled on June 19.
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Celebrate Juneteenth in the Regional Parks |
In addition to a Free Park Day, the Park District has special Juneteenth events scheduled for all to enjoy.
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Sat Jun 18, A Hike of Celebration and Reflection, 9am-Noon, Thurgood Marshall Regional Park - Home of the Port Chicago 50
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Sun June 19, Juneteenth Celebration Hike, 10-11:30am, Coyote Hills
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Sun June 19, Juneteenth Baseball, 10:30-11:30am, Ardenwood
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Sun June 19, Father's Day & Juneteenth Celebration, 11-2:30, Crab Cove
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Sun June 19, East County Juneteenth Celebration (Let Freedom Ring!), Noon-5pm, Brentwood City Park
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Pride Hike at Tilden: Saturday, June 25 |
Join Mobile Visitor Center Naturalists at Tilden Regional Park on Saturday, June 25 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm for a hike to celebrate Pride Month. This moderately strenuous 5-mile hike will take visitors to the heights of Tilden and, weather permitting, a view of San Francisco and the Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks. All are welcome! More Info. |
On July 2, the Park District will honor a free fishing day offered by California Department of Fish and Wildlife at any of its fishing locations. On that day, any angler age 16+ will not need to purchase a California Fishing License, nor an EBRPD Daily Fishing Pass. More Info. |
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Connecting Parks to People |
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