Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025 – Volunteer lunch included Time: 9:00am-1:00pm Location: Antioch Water Park & Waldie Plaza
From Earth Day to Arbor Day, let’s work together to build a stronger, cleaner, more beautiful Antioch! Starting Earth Day, April 22nd join us as we begin our service to the community. Gather friends and family to brainstorm a beautification project for your home, neighborhood, classroom, or local business, and put it into action! Don’t forget to capture your efforts with a photo and send to the Antioch Recreation Department! On Saturday, April 26th, be part of the volunteers who will serve downtown near Waldie Plaza and at the Antioch Community Center before enjoying a volunteer lunch. For Arbor Day, on May 1st, join our Parks and Rec Department as we plant trees at a local park.
What is Earth Day? First held globally on April 22, 1970, Earth Day promotes worldwide demonstrations of support for environmental protection. Attention is drawn to the achievements made by the environmental protection movement and awareness is brought to methods of protecting the Earth’s natural resources. Celebrated by billions around the world, Keep Antioch Beautiful is just one of the ways our community celebrates Earth Day.
What is Arbor Day? First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating, and even climbing trees are encouraged along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist.
From Earth Day to Arbor Day (April 22nd – April 26) show us how you and your family #KeepAntiochBeautiful. Post a picture of you, your family, friends, or coworkers performing an act of beautification for the city with the hashtag #KeepAntiochBeautiful AND tag the Antioch Recreation Department (@antiochrec_ca) to be entered into our raffle. On Arbor Day, three lucky entries will be chosen to each win a prize dedicated to them and their efforts toward the beautification of our lovely city!
By East Bay Regional Park District Police Department
This week, EBRPD-PD Officers conducted a traffic stop after receiving a call for service of a vehicle that did not pay for entry at the kiosk of Contra Loma Regional Park, in Antioch. The vehicle also matched the description of a suspect vehicle that was doing donuts at Contra Loma the previous day. Officers discovered two juveniles in the car (which was also parked in violation of a no parking sign).
After searching the car, officers located a personally manufactured, un-serialized, short-barrel assault rifle. One of the juveniles was later booked at the Contra Costa Juvenile Detention Facility.
4/15/25 UPDATE: According to EBRPD PIO Dave Mason the suspect arrested is age 17 and he is from Antioch.
Antioch Bicycle Garden rendering. Source: City of Antioch Parks & Recreation Department
$4 million federal grant requires $1 million in City matching funds for the “one-of-a-kind facility”
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Antioch City Council approved the final design for the Bicycle Garden to be located at Prewett Family Park on a unanimous vote.
The cost of the project originally was estimated at $2.5 to $3.5 million when it was approved by the Council in April 2022 and was to be paid from the City’s General Fund. However, according to the City staff report, the new cost estimate is $5 million and, “In 2023, the Project was awarded the full requested amount of $4,000,000” from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All grant program. The City must provide a match of $1 million which will be paid from Development Impact Fees. (See related articles, here and here)
Source: City of Antioch
Prewett Park was chosen by the city council as the preferred location.
The presentation was provided by Andrew Dillard, Senior Engineer with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority who will oversee the project.
Funds for the project include $274,000 for CCTA Project Management, $176,000 for Environmental Clearance, $550,000 for Design, $3,450,000 for Construction and an additional $550,000 for Construction Management, he shared.
“All parks were considered throughout the city. But because of its central access…it really made it an optimal spot for the location,” Dillard stated.
Bicycle Garden Conceptual Landscape Plan.Source: City of Antioch
The project will include restrooms and drinking fountains, he shared.
“The schedule includes completion of the environmental clearance and final design this summer and construction later in fall and winter, and complete construction in Summer/Fall 2026. We have until April of 2029 to complete every aspect of the project, which we’re well ahead of,” Dillard concluded.
Public Comments
Only one member of the public spoke on the agenda item.
“These dollars could have gone to actual bicycle improvements on Lone Tree Way. I’m sad about this bicycle garden,” said Andrew Becker.
Source: City of Antioch
Council Questions and Discussion
District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said, “I’m quite shocked to see an entrance into this bicycle park across EBMUD utility lines. They never allow anyone to cross.”
“We’re working through the details with them,” Dillard responded.
“The only thing they’ve ever allowed is Sutter Delta, here, the parking lot,” Freitas added.
“How are we going to manage this? There could be people, like on Lone Tree Way, racing each other. How do we control things?”
Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger said the city attorney’s office will determine any liability the City may face.
“It’s designed to be a passive park, like most of our parks, it will be open,” Acting Assistance City Manager and Parks & Recreation Director Brad Helfenberger said. “The facility is somewhat revolutionary. So, it’s new territory we’re charting.”
“I was here when we opened the skate park and it very much became a police problem with older people causing problems for younger people,” Freitas stated.
District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson asked about solar panels shown in the video but not on the map.
“That was discussed early on and that was just part of the video. It was decided not to pursue solar panels…because of the needs for electricity for the park,” Dillard said.
“Didn’t we take into consideration the disc golf course (which is currently located there)?” Wilson asked.
“Yes. We’ve had some initial discussion to move that to Harbor Manor Park,” Helfenberger responded. “We’ve had them along for the ride and they’ve been part of the discussion.”
“I like the park but I do have some concerns about the risk,” Wilson stated. “I’m looking forward to next steps and hearing more about it.”
Tamisha Torres-Walker said, “I protested the location because we have a lot of open space in District 1,” without offering any. “How many five- and six-year-olds can make it to that side of town?”
“So, it will not be gated or fenced off to the public?” the councilwoman asked.
“That is correct,” Helfenberger responded. “We have hours for other parks that this will follow.”
Source: City of Antioch
Bernal asked about the landscape plan and about “elements that are not easily broken and sturdy, and not easily vandalized.”
Dillard mentioned elements that will be “made out of wood…rugged” and landscaping that will be “low-maintenance…that can survive drought conditions. We’ve heard that loud and clear.”
Bernal asked about the color of the bike paths if it will be asphalt or yellow like in the video. He also asked if there will be walking paths, and shade structures since the “shade trees are 15 years away.”
Dillard said the bike paths will be asphalt, there will be separated, walking paths and shade structures.
Bernal then asked about annual maintenance costs, to which Helfenberger said it’s estimated at $120,000 per year.
The council then approved the conceptual design of the Bicycle Garden on a 5-0 vote.
Antioch Bicycle Garden Conceptual Streetscape Plan to be located at Prewett Family Park on Lone Tree Way. Source: City of Antioch
Will also consider spending $225K more for Amtrak Station Upgrades, purchasing 2 armored rescue police vehicles, support for County’s African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to locate in Antioch
Will first hold Budget Study Session on Public Works, Parks & Rec Departments
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Antioch City Council will finalize the design of the Bicycle Garden at Prewett Family Park, discuss spending $225,000 more for the Amtrak Station Upgrades and purchasing two armored rescue police vehicles at a cost of up to $531,800. They will also consider supporting the County’s proposed African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to be located in Antioch.
Antioch Bicycle Garden Streetscape Elements – Agility. Source: City of Antioch
Before their regular meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. for another discussion on the Public Employee Performance Evaluation of City Manager Bessie Scott. That will be followed by a Budget Study Session on the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments at 5:00 p.m.
The Budget Session and regular meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast local access cable Channel 24 of AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
March 1st Virtual Job Fair highlights opportunities
By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist | Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District is a major employer of students in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, staffing approximately 300 seasonal positions annually. There are many employment options available for the 2025 summer season at East Bay Regional Parks.
Virtual Youth Job Fair: Saturday, Mar. 1 The East Bay Regional Park District has a wide variety of opportunities for youth, young adults, and students. The Virtual Youth Job Fair is designed for applicants ages 15–24, although the minimum age requirement for most jobs is 16 years old. Resume and interview tips provided. Pre-registration highly recommended. Virtual Youth Job Fair via Zoom Saturday, Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. More information and a Zoom registration link can be found at www.ebparks.org/jobs/youth.
Youth and Seasonal Jobs The East Bay Regional Park District is now accepting applications for summer and seasonal jobs. Spend summer in the great outdoors, build leadership skills in a team environment, and create lasting memories while gaining valuable work experience in the East Bay community. Positions include:
Public Safety Student Aide Visit the Park District jobs webpage for more information: www.ebparks.org/jobs
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Join us this Martin Luther King Jr. Day as we spend “a day on, not a day off,” encouraging all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Let’s work together to build a stronger Antioch!
This Year’s Services Include: • Senior Day of Engagement – Antioch Senior Center | 415 W 2nd Street • Antioch Community Park Revitalization Project | 801 James Donlon Blvd. • Fremont Elementary School Community Project | 1413 F Street
SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, the California State Parks Foundation released the following statement reacting to the passage of Proposition 4 –The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The passage of Prop 4 authorizes up to $10 billion in bonds to help the state become more climate resilient. The investments in state parks will include $175 million in deferred maintenance, $50 million in sea level rise adaptation projects, and $200 million to build parks and recreational facilities in local communities.
“While there are many votes still left to count, we are optimistic that voters passed Prop 4 by a wide margin,” saidRachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We thank California voters for choosing to supply California’s state park system with desperately needed resources to make our state parks more resilient to extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfires, and other impacts driven by climate change. These funds will also update state park infrastructure, help California acquire new parklands, and create recreation opportunities in local communities.
“As California’s economic fortunes have changed the past few years, and budget surpluses became budget deficits, state parks have faced steep cuts. The passage of Prop 4 is an important step in reversing the budget reductions that cut the deepest.”
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter/X (@calparks).
During the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27, free mine tours will be held for both the Coal Mine Experience and the Hazel Atlas Sand Mine! We will also have Victorian Era games to play and a nature table outside the mines, plus staff at the Rose Hill Cemetery to chat with.
Tour Details:
All tours will be first come, first served.
The earliest you can sign up for tours is 10am.
First tours will begin at 10:30am.
Last tours will begin at 3:00pm.
All tours will last 30 minutes.
Tours are only available to ages 7+.
No animals allowed on tours with the exception of service animals.
How to Sign-Up for Free Tours:
Coal Mine Experience- Register at the table outside of the Greathouse Visitor Center.
Hazel Atlas Sand Mine- Register at the table outside of the Hazel Atlas Mine.
*Sign-ups are done in person, there will be no reservations over the phone.
Other Helpful Info:
It can take a good 10-15 minutes to walk to either mine from the parking lot.
It can also take 10-15 minutes to walk from mine to mine – don’t sign up for one mine tour directly after the other.
The Hazel Atlas Sand Mine has train tracks going throughout the tour making it less accessible than the Coal Mine Experience, which is flat the whole way.
The Greathouse Visitor Center will be open from 10am-4pm.
Check the weather and dress accordingly. Even if it’s hot outside, it’s still cold in the mines!
