CSDA Recognizes Park District Board Members Radke, Severin By EBRPD Public Affairs

October 15, 2014

Oakland, CA — Longtime East Bay Regional Park District Board Members Carol Severin and Ted Radke received the Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy award for individuals from the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) during the association’s Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase held September 29 – October 2 in Palm Springs. Both Radke and Severin will retire from the Park District’s Board of Directors at the end of 2014 – the Park District’s 80th year.

Senator Jean Fuller, Assembly Member Brian Nestande, former state Assembly Member Bonnie Garcia, and Speaker Toni Atkins’ representative, Katie Kolitsos, were in attendance to support the honorees.

Carol Severin has served on the Board of the Park District since 1994, representing Castro Valley, Hayward, Union City, and portions of Fremont, Pleasanton and Dublin. She has been previously recognized with the prestigious Pugsley Award from the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration for outstanding contributions to the cause of public parks in the United States.

Ms. Severin is known for championing access to the parks - especially for youth and seniors. Among recent projects, she was key in developing the youth internship program, and the Short Loop Trails guides. Earlier this summer she was recognized with awards from the Society for Outdoor Recreation Professionals, and the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts.

Ted Radke is the longest serving board member in the 80-year history of the East Bay Regional Park District, having served 36 years. He was first elected in 1978. Prior to his election to the board, he was an elected member of the Martinez City Council. He has been a leader on legislation for the park district serving for many years as the chair of the park Board’s Legislative Affairs committee. Mr. Radke was recently recognized by Congressman George Miller (D-CA 11th District) with a Congressional Proclamation honoring his accomplishments.

Radke represents the cities of Brentwood, Antioch, Pittsburg, Martinez, Hercules, Pinole, Oakley, and Discovery Bay. A lifelong environmental leader, Radke was instrumental in the acquisition of hundreds of acres of parkland in Contra Costa County; the creation of the Park District’s Integrated Pest Management program; and strategies for bond measures AA and WW.

The criteria for this award included a demonstration of an increase in the district’s visibility with the public, legislature and key stakeholders. In addition, the award recognizes the district’s improvement in district-constituent communication through creative, thorough and appropriate content.

The California Special Districts Association is a 501c(6), not-for-profit association that was formed in 1969 to promote good governance and improved core local services through professional development, advocacy and other services for all types of independent special districts.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 114,000+ acres in 65 parks including over 1,200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.

Above: Park District Board Member Ted Radke at Big Break Regional Shoreline preview event, May 19, 2007. Oakley, California. Photo: EBRPD
Below: Park District Board Member Carol Severin at Hayward Regional Shoreline, wetlands restoration project at Eden Landing, October 26, 2006. Hayward, California. Photo: EBRPD