With more than 60 events at over 40 California State Parks

More activities taking place week of September 2-10

California State Parks invites the public to become community scientists and celebrate California Biodiversity Day, September 7. More than 40 parks statewide will be hosting more than 60 special events and engaging activities all week long from September 2 to 10. The public is also invited to a friendly bioblitz competition to see who can record the highest number of species of plants and animals in California’s State Park System. Humboldt Redwoods State Park currently holds the record of 380 species identified in 2022.

This year marks the fifth annual celebration of California Biodiversity Day since it was first established in 2018. Since then, several executive orders and other actions by the Newsom Administration – such as the Pathways to 30×30 strategy, California’s initiative to conserve 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 – have built on this foundation to understand and protect California’s unique and precious natural resources.

In 2023, the public can choose from a variety of activities like “Perk Up in the Park” where visitors can enjoy a hot beverage and learn about Mount Tamalpais State Park’s unique biodiversity or appreciate birds with an environmental scientist at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, or they can go on self-guided bioblitzes. Using the free iNaturalist app, participants can use their smartphones to record the different species of animals, insects, plants, fungi and more thriving within the parks. The photographs and locations of species captured during the bioblitzes in iNaturalist will help monitor the presence and range of species and contribute to an overall understanding of California’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Below are additional activities taking place throughout the week of September 2 to 10:

• Salton Sea State Recreation Area – During California Biodiversity Week, visitors can go on self-guided bioblitzes and observe as many species as they can to show off the amazing biodiversity the desert has to offer. Download the iNaturalist app, take a picture, and share your findings. Get more details on the iNaturalist app.
• Sue-meg State Park – Participate in a tidepool bioblitz from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 2. Join the interpreters to explore the tidepools at Agate Beach and learn about the plants and animals that live there. Meet at the Agate Beach trailhead at 8 a.m. to hike down to the tidepools with the interpreters or meet them at the tidepools anytime from 8 to 10 a.m. The hike to Agate Beach is approximately half a mile downhill.
• Crystal Cove State Park – Celebrate California Biodiversity Day on September 7 at 9 a.m. with a biodiversity bioblitz hike. Join staff for an easy one-mile hike down Moro Canyon to explore the park’s beautiful backcountry while identifying and documenting animal and plant species using the iNaturalist app. Ages 8 and up are welcome. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring water, and dress in layers. No registration necessary. Participants can meet at the Berns Amphitheater in the lower Moro Day Use Area.
• Folsom Lake State Recreation Area – Join staff for a biodiversity themed Junior Ranger program on Saturday, September 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Nimbus Flat and Black Miners Bar Day Use Areas. The event may include a scavenger hunt and introduction to iNaturalist. Get more details on the iNaturalist app.

Past events in celebration of California Biodiversity Day have included a wide range of activities that help the public observe, understand, appreciate, and protect the amazing diversity of life in California’s State Park System. Some favorite activities have included guided nature hikes, birding walks, tide pool tours, nighttime forays, creek sampling and virtual events. The public can find this year’s full list of events at parks.ca.gov/Biodiversity and additional events at California Natural Resources Agency’s Biodiversity Day website.

What will you find during California Biodiversity Week? Observe and record the unique diversity of life within California’s State Park System using the iNaturalist app.

Subscribe to California State Parks News online at parks.ca.gov/newsroom.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

News from the East Bay Regional Park District

Learn about the untold stories of Somersville at the History Hike Above the Mines on Sept. 17 at Black Diamond Mine

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

Peak fire season – September and October – is fast approaching. The East Bay Regional Park District and its professionally trained fire department have been working throughout the year to reduce wildfire risks, including thinning and removing hazardous vegetation from parks and using cattle, sheep, and goats to keep grass in check.

Park District firefighters are always on the lookout for potential fires, and park visitors can help by practicing basic fire safety and reporting any suspicious or dangerous activity.

Fire safety visitor tips:

• Do not smoke in the regional parks, including vaping.

• Be aware of Red Flag Warnings and fire danger levels.

• Follow all fire safety rules.

• Do not drive or park on dry grass. Hot exhaust manifolds can start a fire.

• Be alert for any potential fire hazards and report them. If you see a fire, call 911 immediately.

Days of the Pioneers at Lake Del Valle in Livermore Friday, September 1. What was Del Valle like before the lake? Discover the valley’s history through hands on activities and stories during this family campfire.7:30-9pm, Friday, September 1st. Meet at Del Valle Amphitheater. Drop-in program, no registration. $6 Parking Fee.

For train lovers, join us at the Ardenwood Rail Fair in Fremont on Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy train rides, operating model trains, historic railroad equipment displays, and live music September 2-4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Rail Fair is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Railroad Museum at Ardenwood Historic Farm, which is operated by the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources. Entrance fee is $15/adults, $13/seniors, $12/children ages 4-17. Children ages 3 and under are free.

It’s calving season in East Bay Regional Parks. Be mindful of interactions that can create a danger to both calves and people. Grazing cattle play an important role in wildfire protection by reducing flammable vegetation and fire risks. Calving season runs from August to October in Regional Parks.

What to do around cattle for your safety and theirs:

• Do not approach or touch baby calves. Do not take selfies with calves.
• Do not get between a mother cow and its calf.
• Do not worry if you see a calf by itself. The mother cow is usually nearby and will return.
• Leash your dog around cattle and keep them away from calves.

An Orchard-inary adventure awaits at the annual Garin Apple Festival on September 9 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take a bite out of local history and nature as you explore the historic apple orchard, enjoy live music, attend special talks and presentations, and participate in hand-on demonstrations at Garin Regional Park in Hayward. Parking is $5 per vehicle. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar.

Learn about the untold stories of the Somersville at the History Hike Above the Mines on September 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Black Diamond Mine. From the 1850s to the early 1900s, the Mount Diablo Coal Field was the largest coal mining operation in California and the population center of Contra Costa County. Deep within the earth, miners excavated the valuable namesake of the park – “black diamonds” or coal – to support the state’s growing energy demands.

Somersville was one of five mining towns in the area and supported a thriving community of almost 1,000 residents. Although no buildings from the coal mining era remain, there is still evidence of the Somersville community, including artifacts, photographs, census records, newspaper articles, and oral histories.

Naturalists will lead the two-to-three-mile History Hike Above the Mines and provide information about the area’s coal and sand mining history. The program is best for ages seven and up. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a snack and plenty of water. Meet at the Upper Parking Lot. More programs are scheduled in October. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “mines.”

Join the Park District in commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 with programs and events celebrating the contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. Programs include a Hispanic Heritage Month Hike on September 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Garin Regional Park. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month activities, visit www.ebparks.org/hispanic-heritage-month.

California’s 39th annual Coastal Cleanup Day is set for September 23. Each year, over 70,000 volunteers help clear debris and remove trash from California waterways, including lakes, creeks, rivers, and shorelines. The Park District has identified 10 cleanup sites within its parks: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Robert W Crown Regional Shoreline, Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Del Valle Regional Park, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, and Hayward Regional Shoreline. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/get-involved/volunteer/coastal-cleanup.

Celebrate International Day of Peace with the Park District at a community event at Lake Chabot Regional Park on Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals – a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. The UN established International Day of Peace in 1981 to encourage 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire, and to practice kindness and compassion.

Sign up for the Park District’s monthly e-newsletter for more information about park events, programs, and openings. To sign up, visit www.ebparks.org/form/newsletter-sign-up.

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.

News from the East Bay Regional Park District

By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist, EBRPD

Visitor safety is always important for the East Bay Regional Park District, especially during times of excessive heat. Beat the heat in Regional Parks by preparing in advance for your adventure. Before heading out, make sure you check the weather and pay close attention to any heat advisories and warnings.

Here are some tips to stay safe when visiting Regional Parks on hot days:

•      Stay hydrated and bring plenty of water.

•      Stay cool by wearing a hat and loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.

•      Avoid the hottest part of the day. If you do visit, go in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.

•      Those vulnerable to heat should consider visiting on days when it is less hot.

•      Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen the heat’s effects on your body.

•      Don’t forget your pets! Bring water for them, as water from streams or ponds is not always available or safe to drink.

Whenever it’s hot, fire safety is essential. Visitors must follow all fire safety rules, including no fireworks and no smoking anywhere in parks. Visit the Park District’s Alerts/Closures page (www.ebparks.org/alerts) for Fire Danger Level notices.

Regional Parks with cool weather and shady trails offer an escape from the summer heat. Here are some great options: Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Richmond), Tilden Regional Park (Berkeley), Briones Regional Park (Lafayette, Martinez), George Miller Jr. Trail (Martinez to Port Costa), Diablo Foothills Regional Park (Walnut Creek, Concord, Alamo), Big Break Regional Shoreline (Oakley), Las Trampas Regional Wilderness (San Ramon), Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (Oakland), Crown Memorial State Beach (Alameda), Coyote Hills Regional Park (Fremont), Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve (Sunol). For more info, visit www.ebparks.org/visit/shady-hikes-cooler-parks.

Three Beat-the-Heat Hikes are scheduled in August at Black Diamond Regional Preserve and Del Valle Regional Park. At Black Diamond, enjoy a morning stroll up the shaded Chaparral loop on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Get some exercise and learn how chaparral survives the hot and dry summer months. At Del Valle, enjoy moderate morning hike on Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 8:30-11:00 am and Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. along the East Shore Trail, with oak woodlands and beautiful views of Lake Del Valle. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Beat the Heat Hikes.”

Looking for a “Cool” activity? The Coal Mine Experience at Black Diamond Mines takes visitors deep beneath the surface to a time when coal powered California. The interactive and immersive experience transports visitors back in time with the sights and sounds of an active 1870s-era coal mine, with stories of the toils, triumphs, and tragedies embedded under the hills.

The Coal Mine Experience is located inside the Hazel-Atlas Mine at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve where temperatures are in the mid-50’s year-round, so bring a jacket or wear layered clothing.

Registration is required. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Coal Mine Experience.” All participants must be age 7 or older, and parent participation is required. Hard hats are required and provided.

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.

Save Mount Diablo must raise $500K by October 25, 2023 to purchase 6.69-acre parcel, part of the “The Missing Mile”

By Karen Ferriere, Development Director, Save Mount Diablo

CLAYTON, CA—A local couple, Dave and Dana Dornsife, have provided a $100,000 matching challenge to help Save Mount Diablo protect the Krane Pond property which contains one of the largest ponds on the north side of Mount Diablo, which is critical for the area’s wildlife, and is contiguous with Mount Diablo State Park and located within the “Missing Mile.”  Dave and Dana Dornsife have offered to match gifts up to $100,000 for the purchase and protection of the Krane Pond land for which Save Mount Diablo must raise $500,000 by October 25, 2023.

On October 25, 2022, Save Mount Diablo purchased an Option Agreement for $50,000 in option payments that gave the non-profit land conservation organization one year to raise $500,000 to cover all the costs to purchase the Krane Pond property and permanently protect it.  To date, Save Mount Diablo has raised $279,000 for the project.

The Krane Pond property, a 6.69-acre parcel, is directly adjacent to Clayton and Mount Diablo State Park. The property is part of the “Missing Mile,” a square mile of largely privately owned open space land on the slopes of North Peak and Save Mount Diablo’s fourth acquisition project there. The Krane Pond property has been a priority for protection since Save Mount Diablo was founded in 1971.  The land includes a large spring-fed pond that is very important for wildlife. In addition, an on-site building pad, neighboring subdivision, and fragmented ranchette landscape nearby all indicate what might take place if the property isn’t protected.

“On behalf of Save Mount Diablo and all who cherish Mount Diablo’s natural areas and flora and fauna, I extend heartfelt thanks to Dave and Dana Dornsife for their $100,000 matching challenge to help us protect the Krane Pond property before time runs out.  Dave and Dana have been important Save Mount Diablo supporters for many years, and we are grateful for their generosity, leadership, and long-term vision,” said Ted Clement, Save Mount Diablo Executive Director.

The Missing Mile is one of Save Mount Diablo’s high priority land acquisition areas. This area is roughly a square mile made up of numerous privately owned open space acres that have not yet been conserved or developed. The Missing Mile is on the slopes of Mount Diablo itself, and the area is contiguous with important conservation lands like Mount Diablo State Park. 

Over time, Save Mount Diablo has successfully done multiple land acquisition projects in the Missing Mile: the organization successfully acquired a perpetual conservation easement on almost 154 acres of the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association land last year; in 2016 Save Mount Diablo got about 88 acres of North Peak Ranch under an agreement that will allow the organization to acquire that land in fee simple title in 2026 after making annual payments; and in 2006 Save Mount Diablo acquired the fee simple title to the 17.62-acre Young Canyon property.

In 1978, Walter and Roseann Krane purchased 6.69 acres of land on the outskirts of Clayton bordered by Mount Diablo State Park and the meridian on the west side, Mount Diablo Creek on the north side, and property held by ranchers to the east. The parcel is accessed by a little bridge that crosses over Mount Diablo Creek. The Krane’s originally had plans to build a house for themselves and their two boys on the mountainside lot, which has grand views and great oaks, and back then had a 25-foot-deep lake. It’s become shallower over the years.

“Instead of building a house,” said Roseann Krane, “we decided to preserve the land. Walt loved the outdoors and our family camped and fished all over California. Walt adored our boys and was an Assistant Scoutmaster for 11 years. He bought 200 bass and stocked the lake and helped the kids build a dock. We spent time with Indian Guides, Boy Scouts, soccer, and many friends picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and horseback riding at the site. Wildlife we observed visiting the property included many deer, bucks, songbirds, ducks, ground squirrels, rattlesnakes, and a great blue heron.

“We have been long-time supporters of Save Mount Diablo. When Walt retired in 2000, he became a professional artist and donated his oil paintings to Save Mount Diablo’s Moonlight on the Mountain fundraiser.

“Last May 2021, Walt passed away from leukemia. I thought that the best way to honor Walt’s memory and love of the outdoors, was having our open space preserved by Save Mount Diablo, and eventually be part of the state park system.”

The Krane Pond property is part of North Peak’s Young Canyon and is bordered by a small spur ridge. Its ecological significance eclipses its size. The property includes one of the largest ponds on the north side of Mount Diablo and is critically important for Mount Diablo’s wildlife. It can help sustain a multitude of species from ground squirrels to mountain lions and even rarer endangered species such as California red-legged frogs and Alameda whipsnakes.

Development has carved its way into Diablo’s foothills below the property’s border. Krane was threatened by Clayton’s Marsh Creek Specific Plan 30 years ago while a neighboring parcel was developed into the Oakwood Estates subdivision. Save Mount Diablo helped shrink the specific plan, and the county and Clayton’s Urban Limit Lines gained strength over the years. Krane is adjacent to the Clayton city limits but just outside the Urban Limit Line.

Had developers acquired this property, they would have graded the ridge and developed much of the acreage. Protecting this property halts development in its tracks, saving more of Mount Diablo’s open space.

Beginning in 1971 SMD’s co-founder, botanist Mary Bowerman, began creating acquisition priority lists based on her decades of research on the mountain. The Missing Mile properties, including Krane, were high on the list.

During the fundraising period for the $500,000, Save Mount Diablo will survey the property boundaries, which will be necessary for work on property fencing and dam repair. If fundraising is successful, initial stewardship will include fence repair and maintenance of the pond’s earthen dam.

Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission

to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Rangethrough land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.

Launches new system; sign up to receive updates

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District has launched a new system to make information about police and fire activity more accessible to the public. The system also includes an interactive webpage with near real-time mapping of police and fire activity, including location, date and time, a general description, and outcome. The new system also allows the public to sign up for daily or weekly email updates with a summary of public safety activity and links to more information.

The new system is provided by Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – Citizen RIMS and housed on Crimegraphics.com, which integrates with the Park District’s existing Public Safety Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS). The new system allows updates to be emailed out automatically rather than manually by public safety staff, increasing efficiency and allowing staff to focus on other important activities.

Most importantly, the new system increases public transparency by making disclosable public safety activity information more accessible. The system allows any member of the public to access near real-time public safety activity mapping information and sign up for daily or weekly email updates.

Access to daily or weekly updates is available via an easy one-time sign-up process. Email addresses are entered into Citizen RIMS / crimegraphics.com and will only be used to send email update to subscribers.

To learn more and sign up for these updates, visit www.ebparks.org/public-safety/activity.

User Notice:

Access to disclosable public safety activity information is provided as a public service from the East Bay Regional Park District and subject to applicable terms of use. To protect privacy, the Crimegraphics.com website does not provide information regarding juvenile offenders, or specific information regarding calls for service that are protected by confidentiality laws or sensitive in nature. The East Bay Regional Park District does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained on this website regarding specific incidents, crimes, or people with respect to the omission of information that may have not yet been filed or is pending filing with a court(s) of jurisdiction relating to criminal offenses.

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.

Mt. Diablo State Park temporarily closes North Gate Road for emergency slide repair through mid-Sept.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.— California State Parks announced on May 17, 2023 the temporary closure of North Gate Road at Mount Diablo State Park to pedestrians, vehicles, equestrians and bicyclists. The road will be closed May 19 through mid-September to stabilize and rebuild a section damaged by the 2023 winter storms. (Apologies to our readers. The Herald publisher just learned of this, yesterday).

Visitors will be able to access the summit and developed areas of the park from the South Gate Entrance (2675 Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard in Blackhawk, 94506) on the Danville side of the mountain. Whether driving or riding your bike, please ensure you are travelling at a safe speed for you, wildlife, and fellow visitors.

For updates on the progress of the project, visit Mount Diablo’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MountDiabloStatePark.

About Mount Diablo State Park

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area to the east of Walnut Creek, people have been drawn for generations to Mount Diablo for its spectacular views from the summit which extend over 100 miles in all directions on a clear day. Visitors have been attracted by the complex geology that has created amazing rock formations such as the “wind caves” at Rock City, and by the mountain’s variety of habitats which are home to over 600 species of plants and an amazing array of wildlife such as butterflies, bats and birds of prey, tarantulas, bobcats, lizards, snakes, and deer.

In 2021 Mount Diablo celebrated its 100th year as a state park. Though more than 100-years is a long history as a park, the importance of Mount Diablo was recognized long before that. For thousands of years Native Americans were the caretakers of this land. Many groups considered and treated the mountain as a sacred place and continue to do so today.

Since becoming a park in 1921, Mount Diablo has been protected as a natural area, and over the past 100 years the park has grown from only a few hundred acres to over 20,000 acres. Today it is a destination for those who would like to view wildlife and wildflowers, experience beautiful views, hike, camp, picnic, run, cycle, climb, ride horses, or gaze at the stars.

Named for Bay Miwok tribe that inhabited area

By Antioch Recreation Department

Join us on Saturday, August 5th, as we welcome Antioch’s newest park into our community. Named after the Bay Miwok indigenous tribes Julpun Park is located at 5500 Sierra Trail Way. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11:00 am.

According to the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, “Identified in Father Narciso Duran’s topographical map in 1824, the Julpun lived in the northeastern corner of the East Bay, probably including present-day Oakley, Brentwood and some of Antioch.  Thus, their land included the confluence of the San Joaquin River and lower Marsh Creek. Initially many of them moved eastward and northward into the delta rather than submit to the mission system.  A few went to Mission Dolores in 1806 and Mission San Jose from 1806-1808, with 108 more entering Mission San Jose by 1813.  (Author Randall) Milliken (in his book entitled, Time of Little Choice) lists a total of 141 Julpuns baptized by 1819.

John Marsh bought his Rancho Los Meganos from Jose Noriega in 1837, an area which included the Julpun’s territory; he called the Indians there ‘Pulpunes’.  Julpuns may have returned to their homeland to work for Marsh after Mission San Jose was secularized in 1836.”

Enjoy parks safely and responsibly; no fireworks allowed in Regional Parks

The East Bay Regional Park District is urging Fourth of July visitors to enjoy parks safely and responsibly.

The Fourth of July holiday is typically one of the busiest days of the year for Regional Parks. Some of our more popular parks and swim areas are expected to reach capacity early in the day. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and arrive early. Parking lots may become full, though there are many Regional Park options to consider.

When visiting a Regional Park on the Fourth of July, visitors should know and follow these important tips and rules.

• NO Fireworks – Fireworks are not allowed in Regional Parks.
• Stay Cool and Hydrated – Plan ahead and bring plenty of water.
• Beat the Heat – With hot weather, visit in the morning and early evening when it is cooler. If you do venture out, wear a hat and loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
• Drink Responsibly – Drinking alcohol is only allowed at certain Regional Parks. Check www.ebparks.org/parks before you go.
• Follow Water Safety Rules if Swimming – Free loaner life jackets are available at all East Ba Regional Park District swim facilities as an extra safeguard for anyone concerned about their swimming abilities or their children.
• Be Fire Smart – Be aware of Red Flag warnings, fire danger levels, and fire safety rules. www.ebparks.org/public-safety/fire/fire-danger-levels-restrictions.

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.