Parks to People: Bringing Our Parks into Homes, Classes, and Communities
Learn about the natural resources, wildlife, and history of the Regional Parks. Take virtual reality tours of selected parks. Watch cool videos of storytelling and singing by park naturalists. Start learning now!
- Public Programs
- Field Trip Programs
- Community Outreach Programs
- Outdoor Recreation Department Staff
- Recreation Leader Jobs
The Outdoor Recreation Department, based out of the Tidewater Boating Center in East Oakland, provides a rich variety of outdoor programs throughout the Park District for youth, families, adults, and community partners.
Public Programs
Archery
Redwood Bowmen Archery Club instructors teach safety, proper gear care, aiming, and shooting technique, in beautiful Roberts Regional Park, high in the Oakland Hills. The club provides bows, arrows, and gear, and after a thorough introduction, students practice shooting under the careful coaching of certified instructors. Visit the Archery page, for more information.
Biking
Bikes are a great way to get to and ride through your beautiful Regional Parks. Join Recreation staff on a weekend ride, and learn basic bike maintenance, bike safety, safe group riding skills, and more as you get a good workout.
Boat Trips to Brooks Island
Join seasoned Dolphin Charters skipper Ronn Patterson aboard Delphinus for a relaxed, narrated boat ride to Brooks Island. Once on the island, enjoy a naturalist-guided, two mile hike around this beautiful preserve. Trips are offered in spring and fall. For more information visit the Brooks Island page.
Canoeing
Join Recreation staff on a challenging and rewarding paddle and experience your Regional Parks, Lakes, and Shorelines from a whole new angle! Highly-trained staff teach water safety and basic canoeing technique, and we provide all gear as well as lifevests. Some trips also feature a naturalist.
Day Camps
Park'n It Day Camp is a safe and fun day camp in the Regional Parks for 5 to 12 year olds. Our highly-trained and caring staff lead hikes, field games, fishing, arts + crafts, environmental education activities, and swimming. Camp runs Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm at various parks. Ask about our family discount (not available online). For more information and to register, please visit our Day Camp and Leaders-in-Training page.
Fishing
Beginning to intermediate anglers can learn the basics of trout fishing, cat fishing, bass fishing, and fishing for other types of species at various District lakes or piers. Courses include instruction on fish habitat and ecology, knot tying, rigging, casting, bait and gear selection, licensing and regulations, and trip planning. Search for Fishing Activities.
Fly Fishing
Fish First! instructors teach this exciting introductory class geared toward the beginning angler. Learn the basics of fly-casting from certified instructors followed by classroom instruction. You will be introduced to knots, fly selection, reading the water, and more. Search for Fishing Activities.
Kayaking
We offer a variety of kayaking programs for all ages, from skill-building to nature tours, taught by trained, friendly instructors. All classes include instruction on basic paddling techniques and are offered at various parks throughout the District. Search for Kayaking Activities.
Leaders-in-Training
This program gives teens an opportunity to learn what it takes to be a Recreation Leader. They receive hands-on training, skills workshops, and community service hours while assisting our camp staff during Park'n It Summer Day Camp. For more information and to apply for this position, please visit our Day Camp and Leaders-in-Training page.
Movie Nights
FREE movies are shown in various parks in the spring and summer on our giant outdoor screen and all movies shown are G or PG rated. Come early to secure a seat and join the pre-movie activities. Movies begins at sunset. We suggest participants bring warm layers, flashlights, chairs, and snacks. Parking fees may apply. No pets allowed. Rain will cancel. Check our Activity Calendar for dates and locations.
Pole Walking and Pole Hiking
Learning how to use poles helps walkers and hikers improve endurance, posture, balance, confidence and strength and enhances your enjoyment of the outdoors. All class levels focus on anatomically-optimal techniques to achieve your desired performance while learning how to avoid joint stress or strain. Instructor Jayah Faye Paley, an AFAA & ACE certified Personal Trainer, is the creator of the only comprehensive educational media on how to use poles, including two award-winning DVD’s. Search for Pole Walking and Pole Hiking Activities.
- For information on class times, fees, and to register, visit: EBParks.org/Register
Browse classes and activities online,register online and make payments - Account Login Instructions for EBParks.org/Register
Directions on how to create, activate or log on to an account online
Field Trip Programs
Biking / Boating / Fishing
The Outdoor Recreation Department offers affordable Boating, Biking and Fishing field trips for schools and community organizations. Knowledgeable Recreation staff provide the gear, meet your group at the park, and lead a safe trip at your Regional parks, lakes, trails and shorelines. Fees vary depending on group size and program duration. Trips must be requested at least 60 days prior to the trip date and paid in full at least 30 days prior to the trip date.
- Apply for Recreation Programs (Biking, Boating, Fishing)
If you need more information on Boating field trips, contact mseccombe@ebparks.org. For Biking or Fishing field trips, contact akint@ebparks.org.
Community Partnership Programs
Community Outreach Outdoor Program (CO-OP)
Free Camping Partnership for Non-Profits
The Community Outreach-Outdoor Programs (CO-OP) is a one-year partnership with local non-profit organizations. Our goal is to equip, educate, and empower partners to independently lead overnight recreation activities in their beautiful parks. Partners can choose between either an overnight car camping or an introductory backpacking trip. We provide campsite reservations, buses, food, equipment, and recreation leaders to facilitate various activities (such as hiking, fishing, field games, environmental education, and more!); as well as an information night for partner staff and participants. Partners must commit to recruiting participants, helping plan activities, promoting trips, completing paperwork, and supervising campers. This program is supported by the Regional Parks Foundation and focuses on communities that face access, transportation, or other barriers to outdoor recreation in their EBRPD parks.
If you are interested in applying, please email/print out and mail in the CO-OP-Partner-Application.PDF or contact the Recreation Coordinator Morgan Evans at 1-(510)-544-2566 for more information.
Day Camp Partnerships
Our Park'n It Day Camp teams up with local elementary schools and non-profit organizations for a week-long summer day camp experience in the Regional Parks. Kids 5 to 12 enjoy activities including, boating, hiking, environmental education programs, arts and crafts, field games, swimming and more, under the caring supervision of our trained Recreation Leaders. If you work for a school or community-based organization that serves kids who have socioeconomic, transportation, or other barriers to outdoor recreation, please contact Recreation Coordinator Stewart Reid at sreid@ebparks.org or (510) 544-2558, for more information.
Past Partners Include:
- Bowman Elementary School, Hayward
- Brothers on the Rise
- City of Richmond Parks& Recreation
- Community United Elementary School, Oakland
- Coronado Elementary School, Richmond
- Family Support Services of the Bay Area
- Grant Elementary School, Richmond
- Harder Elementary School, Hayward
- Hillview Crest Elementary School, Union City
- Lazear Elementary School, Oakland
- Monument Crisis Center, Concord
- Parkside Elementary School, Pittsburg
- YES Nature-to-Neighborhoods
Recreation Department Staff
| Kelsey Gielen | Recreation Supervisor | (510) 544-2567 | |
| Megan Seccombe | Recreation Coordinator | (510) 544-2554 | |
| Morgan Evans | Recreation Coordinator | (510) 544-2566 | |
| Aaron Kint | Recreation Coordinator | (510) 544-2559 | |
| Stewart Reid | Recreation Coordinator | (510) 544-2558 | |
| Yicel Zeballos | Administrative Specialist | (510) 544-2557 |
Recreation Leader Jobs
Do you know somebody who is passionate about outdoor recreation and skilled in backpacking, biking, canoeing, fishing, or kayaking? Most of our programs are led by our team of Recreation Leaders and we are always looking for new guides to join our team!
To apply for a position as a Recreation Leader, please visit: GovernmentJobs.com/ebparks
Our schedule is flexible, and we provide thorough training. The pay ranges from $15.45 to $28.34 per hour, depending on experience. To learn more about part-time jobs leading these exciting programs, please call the Outdoor Recreation Department at (510) 544-2553.
Links
Contact Us
Recreation@EBParks.org
Regional in Nature
District Activity Guide