By Joe Brengle, CEO Contra Costa County Event Park

ANTIOCH – As a major event facility, The Contra Costa Event Park has been monitoring the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. There is no higher priority than the safety of our Fairgrounds family, patrons, vendors, promoters and sponsors at the Contra Costa Event Park. Due to this ongoing situation the Contra Costa Event Park Board of Directors met last night and unanimously voted to cancel the 2020 Contra Costa County Fair scheduled for May 14 – 17.

The Fair Board realizes that the individual’s most affected by this cancellation is the youth livestock exhibitors of our county. The Fair Board did approve to let a committee of Contra Costa County 4H and FFA parents work on a Youth Fair where these youth livestock exhibitors could show and auction their animals. The Fair Board agreed to provide support to this committee as needed. If the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Contra Costa County Health Department, or the Governor of California lengthen the current restrictions and orders, it is possible that a Youth Fair will not take place. At this time dates for Youth Fair are yet to be determined.

We thank the community for your continued support during these challenging times.

Mark your calendars for the 2021 Contra Costa County Fair May 13 – 16.

Issued 3/17/2020

By Dave Mason, East Bay Regional Park District

A “Shelter in Place” order has been issued through Tuesday, April 7, 2020 for six Bay Area counties – San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, and Alameda – prohibiting non-essential business and directing residents to stay inside their homes and away from others as much as possible.

Based on the “Shelter in Place” order, and by an emergency order of East Bay Regional Park District General Manager, for the health and safety of the public and our employees, Park District environmental education centers, visitor centers, and many of our developed public facilities, including bathrooms, water fountains, and other amenities, are temporarily closed. All Regional Trails are open. Per the “Shelter in Place” order, outdoor activity is allowed, such as walking, hiking, and running – as long as specific social distancing requirements are followed. Studies show outdoor activity benefits physical health and helps reduce stress and anxiety.

The COVID-19 health emergency is an unprecedented and evolving situation. Please be aware, additional precautions and closures may be necessary.

If you do visit a trail in a Regional Park, please follow all Social Distancing Requirements and bring water and hand sanitizer. Due to minimal staffing, bathrooms and water fountains will not be available. Additionally, please do not congregate in parking lots or at trailheads per the “Shelter in Place” social distancing requirements.

“Shelter in Place” Order Social Distancing Requirements:

• Maintain at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible, or use hand sanitizer
• Cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands)
• Regularly clean high-touch surfaces
• Not shaking hands

We understand the closure of building facilities and amenities may be challenging. Together we can get through this difficult period and ask our visitors to follow all guidelines. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The health and safety of our employees and the public is our top priority. Temporary closure of some Regional Parks was necessary on Monday, March 16, due to limited staffing and to address “Shelter in Place” order needs.

Please see the FAQ below to answer your most immediate questions.

Can I visit Regional Parks?

Yes, however, only trails will be open for use. All building facilities will be closed, including bathrooms, water fountains, and other amenities. Visitors must follow “Shelter in Place” order social distancing requirements (see above).

What building facilities and amenities are closed?

Building Facilities: Bathrooms, Water Fountains, Visitor Centers and Facilities, Indoor Rental Facilities, Campgrounds, and Swim Facilities.

Visitors Centers/Facilities: Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont), Big Break Visitor Center (Oakley), Black Diamond Mines Visitor Center (Antioch), Coyote Hills Visitor Center (Fremont), Crown Beach Crab Cove Visitor Center (Alameda), Garin Barn (Hayward), Sunol Visitor Center (Sunol), Tilden Botanic Garden (Berkeley), Tilden Environmental Education Center (Berkeley), Little Farm (Berkeley).

All Indoor Rental Facilities: Brazilian Room at Tilden Park (Berkeley), Shoreline Room at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline (Oakland), Fern Cottage at Kennedy Grove (El Sobrante), Beach House at Lake Temescal (Oakland).

All Campgrounds: Anthony Chabot and Del Valle

All Swim Facilities: Contra Loma, Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Castle Rock, Lake Anza at Tilden, Lake Temescal, Shadow Cliffs, Robert’s Regional Park, Quarry Lakes

What can I expect when visiting a Regional Park during the “Shelter in Place” Order?
Visitors can expect buildings, bathrooms, and water fountains to be closed. There will also be no trash collection, so we are asking all visitors to pack out all trash they bring into Regional Parks (Pack it in, Pack it out). Visitors may also see fewer Park District staff in parks. The Park District will be at minimally required staffing levels while the “Shelter in Place” order is in effect.

What parks are affected?

All Regional Parks are affected by the closure of building facilities and amenities. Trails remain open in the following parks.

Out of an abundance of caution and in continued response to the COVID-19 virus, the East Bay Regional Park District is canceling all programs and closing all Visitor Centers, rental facilities, campgrounds and swim facilities through April 12,2020.

Currently, all regional parks and trails (except those listed below) remain open to the public. We understand that nature is a great place to get exercise and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul – especially in time of crisis. A walk on a trail, around your neighborhood or private backyard will allow you to breathe fresh air and help to reduce stress and anxiety

Public and employee safety is a priority to us! Out of an abundance of caution in continued response to the COVID-19 virus planning, East Bay Regional Park District is implementing facility closures to protect the public and our employees to reduce the potential for exposure to COVID-19.

Effective at 5pm Sunday, March 15, Park District facilities that WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 12, 2020 are:

All Visitor Centers

Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont), Big Break Visitor Center (Oakley), Black Diamond Mines Visitor Center (Antioch), Coyote Hills Visitor Center (Fremont), Crown Beach Crab Cove Visitor Center (Alameda), Garin Barn (Hayward), Sunol Visitor Center (Sunol), Tilden Botanic Garden, Environmental Education Center AND Little Farm (Berkeley).

All Internal Rental Facilities

Brazilian Room at Tilden Park (Berkeley), Shoreline Room at Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline (Oakland), Fern Cottage at Kennedy Grove (El Sobrante), Beach House at Lake Temescal (Oakland).

All programs, paid or free

This includes all school programs, recreational programs and naturalist-directed programs.

All campgrounds

Anthony Chabot and Del Valle

All swim facilities at

Contra Loma, Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Shadow Cliffs, Lake Anza at Tilden, Lake Temescal, Pool at Robert’s Regional Park, Quarry Lakes

As a reminder, currently, all regional parks and trails (except those listed above) remain open to the public. If you do visit, please be prepared by bringing your own water and hand sanitizer.

We understand that nature is a great place to get exercise and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul – especially in time of crisis. A walk on a trail, around your neighborhood or private backyard will allow you to breathe fresh air and help to reduce stress and anxiety.

For more information visit www.ebparks.org/news/releases.htm.

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.”

The Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch will hold their 43rd Annual Holiday Run & Walk for Health fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Contra Loma Regional Park. Following is the schedule for the various races and age categories.

Registration Begins at 7:30 a.m.

1 Mile Run/Walk 9 a.m.

Ages: 6 & under, 7-9, 10-12. All ages are welcome. For those over the age of 12 entry is for fitness and fun. Ribbons will be awarded to all participants.

10K Run 9:30 a.m.

Ages: 13 & under; 14-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+

3 Mile Run/Walk 9:35 a.m.

Ages: 9 & under; 10-12; 13-15; 16-18; 19-24; 25-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69, 70+

Kids Dashes with Santa 10:15 a.m.

Ages: 3 & under (20 yds.); 4-5 (40 yds.); 6-7 (60 yds.)

For more information and to register online visit www.holidayrunandwalk.org.

A “paw parade,” with fun family activities is the theme for Family Night in the Park on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Markley Creek Park in Antioch. As part of the Rollin’ with Rec Pop-Up Recreation program, “pawp up” night includes everything dogs and pets. Bring your dog for the parade, stay for the fun family games and special presentations. The K-9 Unit of the Antioch Police Department will provide a special presentation and the City’s Animal Services Department will be on hand with a lot of resources for your pets. All the fun begins at 6:00pm. Markley Creek Park is located on Summit Way off of James Donlon Boulevard and Somersville Road. Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy the sunset, the views, and the laughter. For more information about summer programs and the Rollin’ with Rec van, call the Recreation Department at 925-776-3050.

By Patti Shaner 

Runners and volunteers are needed to participate in the 8th Annual Delta Harvest Run in Brentwood, Sunday, Sept. 8th.  All of the net proceeds go to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates.  Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay.  It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception.  In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County.

The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1 Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets.  The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail.  The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company.  All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performance-shirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line.   New this year the runners will receive a token for a free beer, glass of Champaign, an ice cream or a coffee.   The DHR will also award age group metals as well as overall male and female trophies.

The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time.  The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race.

For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at http://www.deltaharvestrun.com/.  You can also call the race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614.

Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December.  Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application.  The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community.