Mission Peak Stanford Avenue Staging Area to Remain Closed Through May 4, 2020

Mission Peak Regional Preserve Remains Accessible at Nearby Ohlone College Staging Area

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 (Oakland) – The Park District is extending the closure of the Stanford Avenue Staging Area at Mission Peak Regional Preserve through Monday, May 4, 2020, dependent on reopening of restrooms. The Park District closed the Stanford Avenue Staging Area on Friday, April 17, 2020, with further discussion at the Tuesday, April 21, 2020, Regular Board Meeting. The City of Fremont had requested that the District close the Stanford Avenue Staging Area through Sunday, May 10, 2020.

The Park District received extensive public comments as part of its Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Board Meeting with robust Board and staff discussion. Based on feedback and consistent with the District’s strong relationship with the City of Fremont, the Stanford Avenue Staging Area will remain closed until May 5 under the General Manager’s authority.

The Mission PeakStanford Avenue Staging Area is fenced off with no trail access. Mission Peak Regional Preserve remains accessible from the nearby Ohlone College Staging Area.

“We understand the public relies on parks for fresh air, exercise, and stress relief,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “We have kept as many parks open as possible during COVID-19, but some parks, parking areas, staging areas, and facilities, like restrooms, have been closed due to staffing limitations and to prevent unsafe overcrowding.”

The Mission Peak Stanford Avenue Staging Area has been very busy during the COVID-19 emergency with no trash service and restrooms closed due to limited staffing and shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We have seen fair compliance with social distancing at Mission Peak,” said Doyle. “The challenge is crowding in the parking lot and at entrance points, bathrooms being closed, and visitors leaving trash behind rather than taking it home.”

“The Park District is working to resume trash collection and reopen restrooms throughout the District as soon as possible,” added Doyle.

While some parks, parking lots and staging areas have been closed, most of the Park District’s 125,000 acres of parklands and 1,300 of trails remain open and accessible to the public. Current state and local “Stay-at-Home” orders allow for “outdoor recreation activities” as an “essential activity” as long as social distancing is followed. Local health agencies have specifically asked that the Park District keep parks open as much as possible.

Additionally, consistent with the new local health agency “Cover Your Face” order, all visitors should carry a cloth face covering or mask with them when in parks and wear it whenever six-feet social distancing cannot be maintained.

Up-to-date information about COVID-19 park-related closures.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor
510-544-2217
dmason@ebparks.org