Contra Loma Estates Park. Photo by City of Antioch Parks and Recreation Department.

By Allen Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Antioch City Council received positive news about a state grant the city was awarded for improvements to the Contra Loma Estates Park. The city applied for state funds through a competitive process designed to “create new parks and new recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California” according to the Statewide Parks Program webpage.

The park is located at the corner of Mahogany Way and Manzanita Way.

According to Nancy Kaiser, Antioch’s Parks and Recreation Department Director, there were “478 applications in this latest round” and “a $2.3 billion total ask.”

The funds are from Proposition 68 state parks and water bonds, which voters passed in 2018. It authorized “$4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects,” according to Ballotpedia.

“The state granted a total of $254.9 million and approved 62 projects statewide,” she added. “The Contra Loma Estates Park application was $2.9 million.”

The $2,952,000 in state funds will be used for the renovations to the park, including constructing new outdoor gym and exercise equipment, a shaded picnic and BBQ area, shaded structure, dog park, walking and jogging exercise pathway, climbing feature, lighting and fencing for existing basketball court, restroom, and lighting throughout the park.

The average grant request statewide was $4.8 million, and the average grant amount was $4.1 million, according to the California State Parks Statewide Parks Program webpage. It “is the largest park related grant program in California’s history.”

Only three projects in the county were approved. Two in Richmond and the one in Antioch.

Asked if the city received the entire amount, Kaiser replied “yes” to applause from the council.

“So, congratulations to everyone,” she said.

“Congratulations to you and all of us,” said Mayor Sean Wright. “Thank you, staff for the hard work.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for our city that was made possible by the hard work and dedication of our Parks and Recreation Department,” said Kaiser. “We are always working to develop key partnerships that will work with us to enhance the parks and recreation experience for our residents. On behalf of the city of Antioch, I’d like to thank the State of California for their investment in our community.”

For the sixth consecutive year, the East Bay Regional Park District will host two Youth Job Fairs designed to raise awareness of employment opportunities for youth in the East Bay. The fairs are scheduled in Hayward on Saturday, January 25, 2020, and in Pleasant Hill on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Both events offer attendees an opportunity to learn about the specific Park District jobs available and interact with current employees to get insight into what it’s like to work for the Park District. Positions include: Interpretive Student Aides, Public Safety Student Aides, Recreation Leaders, Lifeguards, Gate Attendants, Park Services Attendants, Student Laborers, Field Interns, and Interns.

The Youth Job Fairs also include general information sessions on resume writing, application submittal, and job interviewing for youth looking to enter the workforce, whether at the Park District or elsewhere.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest employer of youth in the East Bay, hiring over 400 Bay Area youth each year to work in the District’s 73 regional parks and ten visitor centers. The Youth Job Fairs are key to filling seasonal summer positions, especially Recreation Leaders and Lifeguards.

2020 Youth Job Fair Details

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 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning.

Graphic by East Bay Regional Park District.

The Hazel-Atlas Mine and Greathouse Visitor Center will be closed until September 10 while a new exhibit is installed. No mine tours will be available during the construction period. Sidney Flat Visitor Center, located at park headquarters, will be open on weekends during the summer from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The new Black Diamond Coal Mine exhibit, built into the existing Hazel-Atlas silica sand mine, will be an immersive experience taking visitors into a recreated 1870s coal mine, part of California’s largest coal mining operation. All of the original coal mines at the preserve have been closed to the public and permanently sealed for public safety. Visitors to the new exhibit will experience the sights and sounds of a working coal mine from nearly 150 years ago when immigrant miners worked deep in the earth to supply California with the energy needed to power and transform the state’s economy from rural to industrial. The new exhibit is scheduled to open to the public in the spring.

Black Diamond Mines Naturalist Eddie Willis is looking forward to the new addition to the Hazel-Atlas Mine and Greathouse Visitor Center. “We are excited to showcase this new exhibit which will allow visitors to connect more directly with the coal mining legacy of these hills in a safe and educational way,” said Willis.

To help fund the visitor center exhibit, the Regional Parks Foundation secured two grants from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation and Marathon Petroleum.

Map of planned Concord Hills Regional Park. By EBRPD

Park District Ward 6 Board Member Beverly Lane, who represents Concord, Principal Planner Neoma Lavalle and Chief of Planning/GIS Brian Holt at park overlook, with the map of the future, regional park. Photo by EBRPD.

Ceremony at planned Concord Hills Regional Park will also include 75th Anniversary of Port Chicago explosion

After more than 20 years of community support and involvement, the East Bay Regional Park District has accepted 2,216 acres of former Concord Naval Weapons Station land from the U.S. Navy for a future regional park currently known as the Concord Hills Regional Park. An additional 327 acres are set to transfer to the Park District at a later date.

“Conveyance of the property to the Park District is the culmination of a decades-long community effort,” said Beverly Lane, who has represented Concord on the East Bay Regional Park District board since 1994. “This is a proud moment for the Park District and shows the great power of persistence and working together with the community.

“The U.S. Navy, National Park Service, City of Concord, and Save Mount Diablo have been tremendous partners in this effort,” added Lane.

On July 2, 2019, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved accepting the land from the U.S. Navy. The board action authorizes the Park District to accept conveyance of the property and fee title ownership. Transfer of ownership to the Park District is expected to take six months.

“This is a great day for the Park District and East Bay residents,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “The public will have access to great future park amenities, including a visitor center, staging areas, access points, and miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking, and nature viewing.”

“Park development is expected to take several years and will require significant financial resources. There is no timetable on development,” added Doyle. “With this new land, we will have a regional park that is larger than Tilden Park, that is protected for future generations forever.”

A public celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The event will also commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion. Click here for the Concord Hills Regional Park event details.

The celebration will include a panel discussion hosted by the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial and National Park Service, a conveyance ceremony, presentations, exhibit booths, lunch, and a music performance by the Acalanes High School Jazz Quartet. The event will also include walking and vehicle tours of the property, giving attendees a first look at the future regional park.

RSVP to Yulie Padmore at ypadmore@ebparks.org or call (510) 544-2002.

For more information about the July 13 event, visit www.ebparks.org/about/planning/cnws.htm.

Photo from Snakes of the EBRPD brochure.

As the weather heats up, rattlesnakes become more active in many of our parks, their natural habitat. They like to explore when the weather gets warm which can lead to more encounters with humans and dogs. The East Bay Regional Park District is advising that the public take snake safety precautions when visiting Regional Parks.

Safety Tips for Visiting Regional Parks

1. Always hike with a friend so you can help each other in case of emergency.
2. Look at the ground ahead of you as you are walking.
3. Look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down.
4. Avoid placing your hands or feet where you can’t see clearly.
5. Check the area around picnic tables, campsites, and barbecues before using them. If you encounter a rattlesnake in these areas, notify park staff.
6. Keep pets on the designated trails and away from snakes if they see one.
7. Bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets as many parks do not have a direct water supply.

What to Do If You See a Rattlesnake

Leave it alone – do not try to capture or harm it. All park wildlife is protected by law. If you see a snake on a trail, wait for it to cross and do not approach. Then move carefully and slowly away.

What to Do If Bitten by a Snake

1. If bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm and send someone to call 911. Remain calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Do not waste precious time on tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911. Do not run.
2. If bitten by any other kind of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.
3. If you are not sure what kind of snake bit you, check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one puncture mark) associated with intense, burning pain. This is typical of a rattle snake bite. Other snakebites may leave multiple teeth marks without associated burning pain.

Snakes are an important resource in the natural environment. They are prime controlling agents of rodent, insect, and other reptile populations. They must be enjoyed from afar and left where they are found. It is illegal to collect, kill, or remove any plants or animals from the East Bay Regional Park District. Please help us to protect wildlife and their environment for present and future generations. Additional information is available at www.ebparks.org/parks/safety/#Snakes or download a PDF version of our Common Snakes.

Jim Boccio, Sr. (fourth from right), with his wife Phyllis and Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, is surrounded by his family and friends at the presentation of the plaque to be placed next to his tree in City Park. Photo by City of Antioch.

Friends and family, including Council Member Lori Ogorchock and representatives of The Bedford Center, met at City Park last week to present the dedication plaque to much-beloved champion of volunteering, Jim Boccio who selflessly devotes his time serving our senior community.

The plaque will be placed next to Jim’s tree which City of Antioch Public Works has been caring for and nurturing since the planting ceremony in September.

The Bedford Center offers Alzheimer’s Care, Adult Day Care, Assisted Living, and Nursing Care senior care options for elderly adults in Antioch. It is located at 1811 C Street.

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7 Director Colin Coffey, Park Supervisor Rex Caufield, and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy Board Member Keith Haydon visit the Roddy Ranch Golf Course on April 5th, 2018.

Purchase brings future Deer Valley Regional Park to 3,254 total acres

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, EBRPD

Oakland, CA – On April 3, 2018, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved acquisition of the Roddy Ranch Golf Course. The 230-acre property is being acquired in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, which is providing funding for the majority of the purchase price. The total acquisition cost is $1,955,000 with the Conservancy providing $1,935,000 and the District $20,000, which covers the original purchase option. The District is also providing $205,000 for the purchase of on-site, non-land property. All District funds are coming from Measure WW, approved by voters in 2008.

The 230-acre golf course property, along with the previously acquired Roddy Ranch properties, are part of the envisioned Deer Valley Regional Park. Deer Valley Regional Park was included in the District’s 2013 master plan to protect habitat and expand recreational opportunities in East Contra Costa County. The purchase brings the future Deer Valley Regional Park to 3,254 total acres.

“The golf course property is the final step in acquiring Roddy Ranch, previously planned for development, and securing it as permanent open space for the community’s enjoyment,” said East Bay Regional Park District Director Colin Coffey. “Acquisition of the former golf course property is a unique opportunity to enhance public access in East Contra Costa County.”

“The property also includes existing infrastructure and utility services which will help accelerate development of the future Deer Valley Regional Park,” added Coffey.

The total purchase includes a 140-space parking area, three vault toilets, three retention ponds, and existing water and electrical service.

“Assembling the Roddy Ranch properties and bringing them to public use was a decades-long effort,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “Thank you to the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, which is such an important and valuable partner in protecting and preserving open space in East Contra Costa County.”

“Thank you also to Donna and Jack Roddy for preserving this beautiful area and being good stewards of their property for so long,” added Doyle.

The 18-hole golf course announced its closing on August 11, 2016 after 16 years of operation. Many of the golf course greens and fairways have reverted to a more natural state. The golf course property and surrounding former Roddy Ranch properties, will continue to be grazed to manage vegetation and reduce fire risks.

Park planning is expected to take several years and requires substantial environmental evaluation and community engagement. However, assembling a majority of the Roddy Ranch and other recently acquired properties as one new contiguous Park District property represents a giant leap forward toward bringing Deer Valley Regional Park to fruition.

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 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.

The Disc Golf Course at Prewett Park.

The new disc golf course at Prewett Park in Antioch is now open for playing. Built by Bob Liles, Bob Lambrose and Lee Namanny, the course includes nine “holes”. (See map, above)

For those desiring a shorter easier course just play 1, 7 (use the area around basket #1 for the tee box), 8 and 9.

For more information visit Antioch Disc Golf Group on Facebook.

Discs can be purchased at local sporting goods stores. Be sure to watch for formal opening ceremonies in September.