News from the East Bay Regional Park District

Includes CA Free Fishing Day Aug. 30

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

Groundbreaking Celebrates New Point Molate Bay Trail Extension

East Bay Regional Park District board members, leadership, and staff joined with elected officials, City of Richmond representatives, and community leaders on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, to break ground on the construction of the Point Molate Bay Trail Extension Project in Richmond. This extension is a major step forward in expanding public access to Point Molate and enhancing regional connectivity along the San Francisco Bay Trail.

Once completed, the new 2.5-mile segment will connect the City of Richmond’s Point Molate Beach Park to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, providing seamless access to the existing bike and pedestrian path on the bridge. The trail extension also includes scenic views of the bay shoreline, a 600-foot boardwalk, and interpretive panels sharing the area’s natural and cultural history.

The project is a partnership between the Park District and the City of Richmond, which owns 1.25 miles of the 2.5-mile trail extension project area. The Park District is leading design, permitting, and construction of the trail.

For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/news and www.ebparks.org/projects/san-francisco-bay-trail-point-molate.

Hot Days Ahead! 

After a relatively mild summer, the weather is heating up! When enjoying Regional Parks this August, keep the following tips in mind to beat the heat:

• Avoid visiting during the hottest part of the day. If you do visit the parks, go in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Don’t forget to bring extra water for your pets!
• Wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen the effects of heat on your body.

Also, consider visiting Regional Parks with shady trails and cooler weather. For some cool options, visit www.ebparks.org/visit/shady-hikes-cooler-parks.

Learn about the Fin-Tastic Fish of the San Francisco Bay at the Crab Cove Fish Festival

The numerous fish species that thrive in the deep, murky waters of the San Francisco Bay come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny 2.5-inch Delta smelt, which is endangered, to long-living sturgeons that can reach up to 7 feet. In the bay, pipefish that look like seahorses hide in eelgrass beds. The male plainfin midshipman, also known as the singing toadfish, serenades females along the rocky shore. Swell sharks lay camouflaged egg cases called mermaid purses among the sea kelp. Each of these unique, fin-tastic fish plays a role in keeping the bay healthy and thriving. 

On Aug. 23, Crab Cove hosts its annual Fish Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can observe fish up close at the Mobile Fish Exhibit and enjoy fish crafts, face painting, fishy games, and much more! The Doug Siden Visitor Center and Aquarium at Crab Cove in Alameda is a great place to learn about local fish species.

Also consider dropping in on Wednesdays or weekend afternoons at 3 p.m. to watch fish feeding.

CA Free Fishing Day

Saturday, Aug. 30, is a free fishing day in California and in the East Bay Regional Park District as both Park District fishing fees and state fishing license requirements are waived for visitors. Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors—from first-timers to seasoned anglers. It’s a fun activity for all ages that offers a chance to slow down, enjoy nature, and connect with family and friends.

There are plenty of opportunities in the East Bay to cast a line. The Park District offers 10 fishing lakes, five bay and delta shoreline piers, and 25 miles of bay and delta shoreline for fishing. For more information, visit ebparks.org/recreation/fishing.

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.

Coaches needed, get discount on own child’s registration fee

Registration deadline: Aug. 15

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Experience the speed, skill, agility and action of the gridiron without the contact associated with tackle football. Kids in grades 3-8 play NFL Flag Football!

The goal of this program is to develop the skill of our young athletes while also exposing them to sportsmanship, teamwork and healthy lifestyles that so important to local youth; all while having fun. Each child receives their own NFL Flag Football Jersey and flag belt.

No experience necessary. Mandatory evaluations will be held on August 23. Practice begins September 15.

Registration fees are $135R/$149NR and the deadline to register is August 15.

Volunteer coaches receive a 50% discount from their child’s registration fee. If interested in coaching, please contact staff at (925) 776-3050 or sports@antiochca.gov.

UPDATE: 8-10 YEARS Flag Football—Rookies

This fun-filled flag football class is designed for kids who want to learn the fundamentals of football in a safe and non-contact environment, preparing participants for our NFL Flag Football league that runs in the fall. Participants will develop essential skills such as passing, catching, running, and defensive techniques through engaging drills, teamwork-focused activities, and mini-games.

Antioch Community Park—Soccer Fields

Instructor: Antioch Youth Sports Staff

Wednesday #11822  7/30-8/20 6:00PM-6:45PM $30R/$40NR

Thursday #11823  7/31-8/21 6:00PM-6:45PM $30R/$40NR

10-12 YEARS Flag Football—All-Stars

This fun-filled flag football class is designed for kids who want to build on the fundamentals of football in a safe and non-contact environment, preparing participants for our NFL Flag Football league that runs in the fall. Participants will enhance their understanding of the game while developing advanced techniques in passing, receiving, route running, defensive coverage, and teamwork.

Antioch Community Park—Soccer Fields

Instructor: Antioch Youth Sports Staff

Wednesday #11824 7/30-8/20 7:00PM-7:45PM $30R/$40NR

12-14 YEARS Flag Football—Champions

This dynamic flag football class is tailored for young athletes who want to sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of the game in a competitive yet non-contact setting, preparing participants for our NFL Flag Football league that runs in the fall. Participants will focus on advanced techniques, team strategies, and game scenarios while fostering teamwork and leadership skills.

Antioch Community Park—Soccer Fields

Instructor: Antioch Youth Sports Staff

Thursday #11825 7/31-8/21 7:00PM-7:45PM $30R/$40N

Online Registration: antiochca.gov/register.

Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Time: 3:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Prewett Family Park Hillside

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

In partnership with Bay Area Backyard Movement, the City of Antioch Recreation Department is excited to present our fourth annual Multicultural Festival. Highlighting cultural diversity and community engagement, this event features live performances, vendors, a kids’ zone filled with games and activities, food and so much more!

Embrace diverse cultures through captivating performances, mouthwatering cuisines, and immersive activities. It’s a day of unity, exploration, and embracing our global community as residents from various backgrounds come together to share and showcase their unique heritage, customs, art, music, food and more.

Prewett Family Park is located at 4701 Lone Tree Way.

Bay Area Backyard Movement

Bay Area Backyard Movement is a community organization whose goal is to provide a positive atmosphere that gives small businesses the opportunity to network, bring communities together, and create an enjoyable shopping experience for everyone. The Backyard Movement mission is to inspire every vendor customer throughout their many events across the Bay Area – it’s always community and collaboration, never competition.

Backyard Movement has partnered with the City of Antioch to bring an annual Multicultural Festival to our community, and now, a monthly market for all to enjoy. Learn more about Bay Area Backyard Movement when you follow them on Instagram @thebackyardmovement.

Plus, FoodieCrew food trucks

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Start Time: Dusk (approximately between 8:30pm and 8:45pm)

Location: Prewett Family Park Hillside (Located next to the Antioch Water Park)

This year’s final free outdoor movie night will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025, with the showing of Holes (2003) (Rated: PG | Runtime: 118 minutes.

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs, and bring the entire family out to enjoy popcorn, kids’ crafts and a movie. Happening on the Prewett Family Park Hillside, next to the Antioch Water Park, movies will begin just after dusk (approximately 8:30pm-8:45pm depending on sunset).

Did we mention it will also be Food Truck Thursday, brought to you by FoodieCrewSF?! Don’t forget to grab dinner before the movie begins! You won’t want to miss this.

**Free parking, popcorn, refreshments, and kids’ arts & crafts while supplies last.

**Dates and locations subject to change.

Ahoy, Antioch!

Get ready to set sail at our Box Boat Derby on Saturday, June 28th! Grab your cardboard, duct tape and creativity because it’s time to build the ultimate boat and race it down the lap pool.

Whether you’re a DIY pro or just in it for the fun, this event is for everyone. So, gather your crew, get crafty, and let’s make a splash together!

All ages welcome.

AWARDS for the most creative, fastest, and best-dressed boats!

Check In Begins: 11:15am.

Race Start Time: 12:30pm

Location: Antioch Water Park – Lap Pool

We hope to see you for a day full of fun, laughter, and friendly competition!

More info can be found on our Events tab at antiochwaterpark.com.

All participants and spectators must have a valid general admission ticket for that day. Tickets are available by clicking here.

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Sign-ups for the July 4th Dunk Tank Fundraiser are open until Thursday, June 27 and there’s no better way to make a splash than raising money for a fantastic cause! Every dollar raised goes towards our RECREATION FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

Not interested in sitting in the tank? You can still show support with a donation which gives you a chance to sink our sitter!

You’ll find the Dunk Tank located in the Kids Zone!

Come by to cheer on our throwers and volunteers as we raise money to provide recreational opportunities for our communities.

Tag someone you think should take the plunge!

For more info visit: https://antiochca.gov/fc/recreation/special-events/dunk-tank-2025.pdf.

As well as receiving $850,000 Transit-Oriented Communities grant; trails and bike lane improvements; increase in construction costs for desal plant; costs of search for City Attorney, 4 other positions

Hold budget study session on City Manager’s office, Community Development and Economic Development Department

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Antioch City Council will consider approving a lease for a police substation at Sycamore Square and expanding search firm services for the hiring of a permanent City Attorney and four other positions.

Plus, under the Consent Calendar, the Council will consider receiving an $850,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, spending $160,000 to maintain and service the Antioch Library, $192,000 on asphalt overlay on a park pathway and trail, $289,000 more on the brackish water desalination plant construction, over $1.5 million for the L Street Pathway to Transit – Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, and spending $602,000 more in State funds on the City’s violence prevention program.

Before the regular session begins at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session to discuss a potential lawsuit against the City beginning at 4:00 p.m. That will be followed by a Study Session beginning at 4:30 p.m. to review the 2025-27 Fiscal Year budgets for the city manager’s office and Community Development and Economic Development Department.

Sycamore Square Police Substation

Under Item 10. the Council will consider approving an 18-month lease agreement between the City of Antioch and Yahya Korin Sycamore Square LLC for a Police Department Substation located at 1084 Sycamore Drive, at a cost not to exceed $33,127.50.

The total includes Lease Costs:

• Monthly rent of $1.00 from July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025 (3 months = $3.00)

• Monthly rent of $840.00 from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026 (15 months = $12,600)

• Lease Subtotal: $12,603.00

Ballistic Glass and Installation:

• City’s 50% share of the total $21,049.00 cost = $10,524.50

Substation Setup Costs:

• One-time expenditures for furnishings, signage, technology, and operational readiness = $10,000.00

Contract with Search Firm for 5 City Positions

In addition, under Item 9, the council will consider approving the first amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement for executive-level recruitment services with Bob Hall and Associates for the positions of City Attorney, Community Development Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Assistant City Engineer, and a fifth position Yet to Be Determined. In addition, City staff is asking the Council to authorize an extension of the contract through December 31, 2025, and an increase of $119,700, for a total contract amount not to exceed $174,700.

Consent Calendar

Under the Consent Calendar, the Council will consider 18 items, in addition to six past meeting minutes, including Item J., receiving an “$850,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (“MTC”) and committing the City of Antioch towards taking steps to achieve compliance with the MTC Transit-Oriented Communities (“TOC”) Policy as a condition of grant award.”

According to the City staff report for the item, “The TOC Policy applies to areas within 1/2-mile of existing and planned fixed-guideway transit stops and stations, including regional and commuter rail, light-rail transit, bus rapid transit, and ferries. In Antioch, the policy applies to the 1/2-mile radius surrounding the Antioch BART station.

“Jurisdictions subject to the TOC Policy must comply with four elements by early 2026:

1. Minimum residential and commercial office densities for new development.
2. Affordable housing production, preservation and protection, and stabilizing businesses to prevent displacement.
3. Parking management.
4. Transit station access and circulation.

“As a ‘Tier 3’ station area, Antioch will be required to develop at an average minimum residential density of 50 units/net acre, and commercial office density of 2 FAR or higher within the 1/2-mile radius. Maximum densities must be at least 75 units/acre for residential and 4 FAR for commercial. The policy also requires Antioch to adopt certain affordable housing policies, commercial stabilization policies, parking management policies (including new parking minimum and maximums) and station access and circulation policies.

“Jurisdictions that are subject to and comply with the policy are expected to be more competitive for MTC discretionary funding, including OBAG funds. MTC has directed jurisdictions to anticipate demonstrating compliance prior to the adoption of OBAG 4, expected in early 2026. OBAG is an important source of funding for the City of Antioch’s transportation projects, and across the 3 OBAG rounds to date, Antioch will receive a total of $7,860,034.”

In addition, under Item L., the Council will consider spending $160,517 on maintenance and service for the Contra Costa County library branch on W. 18th Street for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

Under Item N., the Council will consider spending up to $191,792.40 for Asphalt Trail Overlay of Mesa Ridge trail and Village East Park pathway from the Gas Tax fund as part of the City’s Trail Maintenance Program.

Under Item S., the Council will consider approving the fourth amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for construction management services related to the Brackish Water Desalination Project in the amount of $288,393 for a total contract amount of $8,526,913, and extending the term of the agreement to December 31, 2025.

Under Item T., the Council will consider approving a contract for the L Street Pathway to Transit – Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, Phase 1 for a total amount not to exceed $1,536,547.02.  The FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Budget includes $1,200,000 of Measure J (the County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation) funding and $1,469,000 of One Bay Area Grant 2 (OBAG2) funds (of $900 million in federal transportation funding from the Federal Highway Administration).

According to the City staff report for the item, “This project will consist of improving connectivity and pedestrian safety along L Street by repairing and reconstructing deteriorating or uneven concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveways and curb ramps, performing minor median island modifications, pavement resurfacing, and installing pedestrian safety flashing beacons at various locations. The project will also include re-striping to provide a Class 11 bike lane on L Street from 10th Street to the Antioch Marina circle and a Class 111 bike route from Lemontree Way to Sycamore Drive.

Finally, under Item U., the Council will consider approving the second amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with One Day at a Time (ODAT), for the 2022-25 City of Antioch’s California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) in Antioch’s most impacted neighborhoods.

It increases the amount of the agreement with ODAT by $602,000 in CalVIP grant funding for a total not to exceed $942,000 and extends the term of the agreement through June 30, 2026. There is no impact to the City’s General Fund.

According to the City staff report for the item, “ODAT’s responsibilities include recruiting, hiring, and supporting additional Neighborhood Change Agents who serve as transformational mentors to participants at the highest risk of gun violence involvement. Through consistent, street-level engagement, ODAT plays a critical role in interrupting cycles of retaliation, offering healing pathways, and fostering long-term opportunity.”

Meeting Details

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. Members of the public can speak up to three minutes on general matters at either the beginning or end of the meeting, and on agendized items during the meeting.

Read the Council meeting Full Package.