Archives and History Program

Stories of Park District History and Heritage

The East Bay Regional Park District of today is the result of decades of hard work by innumerable park advocates, community activists, elected district directors, general managers, district employees, environmental organizations, public officials, volunteers, and taxpayers who have collaborated to ensure that residents in this region will have access to a system of magnificent regional parklands.

Founding of the East Bay Regional Park District

Parks For the People (and By the People)
Explore the historic timeline of the formation of the East Bay Regional Park District (1864-1936)

Martin J. Cooney Photo Collection – "People in Parks"

Visit the first in a series of exhibits featuring the Martin J. Cooney photography collection (1964-1980) from the Park District Archives.

Martin J. Cooney Photo Collection - "Park Landscapes"

This is the second exhibit in the Martin J. Cooney photography collection (1964 - 1980) series from the Park District Archives.

Martin J. Cooney Photo Collection - "Park Workers"

This is the third exhibit in the Martin J. Cooney photography collection (1964 - 1980) series from the Park District Archives.

Martin J. Cooney Photo Collection – “Special Events”

This is the fourth and final exhibit in the Martin J. Cooney photography collection (1964 – 1980) series from the Park District Archives.

Carquinez Strait/Crocket Hills Regional Parks History

Explore the history of your parks in this interactive Story Map series, featuring Carquinez Strait and Crocket Hills Regional Parks.

Tilden Regional Park History

Did you know that many of our Regional Parks have historic features and unique stories? Explore your parks in a new interactive Story Map series, debuting with Tilden Regional Park.

Honoring Hideo Nakagaki – Ardenwood History Comes Full Circle

On February 15, 2024, Park District staff and Board Director John Mercurio attended a reception at Ardenwood Historic Farm in honor of Hideo Nakagaki.

Women in Parks

2020 celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote. Read about women from the past and present who have contributed to the success of the Park District.

A Vision Achived: Fifty Years of East Bay Regional Park District

A Vision Achieved: Fifty Years of East Bay Regional Park District

This commemorative, photo-filled book was released on the 50th anniversary of the Park District to chronicle the founding and first half-century’s growth of the Park District.

Living Landscape

A probing account into the history of the Park District on its 75th anniversary. The book, by writer and oral history researcher Laura McCreery, focuses on the people, events, and issues that shaped the largest and most innovative regional park system in the country. Available online.

Master Plan

View the master plans through the years that have shaped and built one of the largest regional park agencies in the country. The Park District’s current vision continues to affirm that the East Bay Regional Parks will preserve a priceless heritage of natural and cultural resources, open space, …

Hulet Hornbeck Conservationist and Trail Advocate

Hulet Hornbeck enjoyed a distinguished career as Chief of Land Acquisition of the East Bay Regional Park District from 1965 through 1985, serving legendary leaders William Penn Mott and Richard Trudeau.

The Oakland Hills Firestorm – 20 Years Later: Our Story

Many years have passed since the catastrophic Oakland Firestorm raged through the hills in October 1991, but for the East Bay Regional Park District staff members who fought it, the memories are still vivid.

Crab Cove Virtual Tour

A Virtual History Tour of Crab Cove and the surrounding area. Designed as a mobile-based tour for visitors of the Crab Cove Visitors Center.

Golden Anniversary Contra Costa Joins EBRPD Flyer Cover Las Trampas

Contra Costa County and the East Bay Regional Park District Celebrate a Golden Anniversary (1964 - 2014)

Contra Costa County and the East Bay Regional Park District Celebrate a Golden Anniversary (1964 - 2014)
By Ned MacKay and Beverly Lane (PDF)

Cultural Resources

The lands managed by the East Bay Regional Park District have a rich history and diverse cultural background. Cultural resources include archaeological, historical, and scientifically valuable sites, areas, and objects.

The District has a responsibility to preserve the legacy and the history of the peoples who occupied this land before the District was established and park properties acquired, as well as to preserve the history of the District itself.

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