Celebrating 85 Years of Regional Parks in 2019

Connecting Parks to People

The East Bay Regional Park District, the largest local park agency in the nation, is turning 85 in 2019! Created in 1934, with the rallying cry of Parks for the People, the Park District has preserved 125,000 acres of protected scenic lands and diverse landscapes, including 55 miles of SF Bay Shoreline--the fruition of the vision eloquently manifested in the 1930 report Proposed Park Reservations for East Bay Cities by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. and Ansel Hall.

Founded on the idea that beautiful landscapes can contribute to people’s happiness and well-being, and that everyone, regardless of economic circumstance, deserves access to parks, the Park District continues to connect parks to people, especially our vulnerable youth, through many present-day District initiatives like Healthy Parks, Healthy People; naturalist programs; and other community outreach programs that help introduce kids and families to the parks. Providing access for all to our parks is a key goal of the Regional Parks Foundation which formed in 1969 and is celebrating their milestone 50th anniversary this year! A great way to support your parks, is by supporting the Regional Parks Foundation and their programs that connect people, particularly children, with nature, promote safe recreation, preserve open space, and restore natural habitat.