A view of Mt. Diablo from the former Hanson Ranch property. photo by Scott Hein

Location map. courtesy of Save Mt. Diablo

Expands future Deer Valley Regional Preserve

The 76-acre Hanson Hills property on the eastern slopes of Mt. Diablo, will become part of the future Deer Valley Regional Preserve, extending the park’s southern boundary to Marsh Creek Road. The East Bay Regional Park District purchased the former ranch land, located south of Antioch and west of Brentwood, from Save Mount Diablo for $730,000, its appraised fair market value. East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy contributed $547,500 toward the cost and funds from Measure WW covered the remainder.

“This beautiful property will be a tremendous asset for generations of East Bay residents,” said Park District Board Member Diane Burgis, whose ward includes the Hanson Hills property. “It’s also a critical part of the Marsh Creek watershed. We’re thrilled to be able to protect this ecologically sensitive area forever.”

The property encompasses canyons and ridges covered with blue-oak forests and native grasslands, as well as a seasonal stream that drains to Marsh Creek. The ridgetops provide panoramic views of Mt. Diablo, the Marsh Creek corridor and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. It’s also home to eagles, hawks, coyotes, mountain lions, deer, foxes and other species. The acquisition secures important land links that provide habitat for a number of special status species including the California red-legged frog and Alameda whipsnake.

Eastern view from the former Hanson Ranch property. photo by Scott Hein

The acquisition represents an important piece in long-term efforts to preserve land around Mount Diablo. Save Mount Diablo acquired the property from the Hanson Family in April, 2014. The Hanson children, now all in their 80’s, remember fishing for steelhead with their grandfather in Marsh Creek, just across the road, and camping out on warm nights atop the tallest hill. It was important to the family that the land they love so dearly be protected forever.

Ted Clement, executive director of Save Mount Diablo, spoke to the importance of partnerships in conserving land in the region.

“We are thrilled to help ensure the permanent protection of 76-acre Hanson Hills through our partnerships with the East Bay Regional Park District and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy,” Clement said.  “With this transaction not only have we preserved essential wildlife habitat and ensured the protection of a strategic parcel that can later support outdoor public recreation and education, but we have also generated funds to protect more lands around Mount Diablo.”

“This acquisition is another positive step for conservation in east Contra Costa County,” said Pittsburg Councilman Salvatore Evola, chair of the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy board. “It is valuable to have a local land trust, the East Bay Regional Park District and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy working together to conserve valuable landscapes for species while also providing park and recreation opportunities for the growing population.”

The land will remain closed to the public (“land banked”) until the Deer Valley Regional Park Land Use Plan is completed.

Save Mount Diablo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) conservation organization, which has been preserving lands on and around Mount Diablo and educating the public to the mountain’s natural values since 1971. Preserved lands have increased from 6,788 acres in one park to more than 110,000 acres in more than 40 parks and preserves. Save Mount Diablo continues to preserve, defend and restore the remainder of the mountain for people and wildlife to enjoy. Contact: Save Mount Diablo, telephone: (925) 947-3535, fax: (925) 947-0642, 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 320, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; www.SaveMountDiablo.org

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 120,700 acres in 65 parks including over 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning. www.ebparks.org

For information, please contact East Bay Regional Park District public information supervisor Carolyn Jones at (510) 544-2217, cjones@ebparks.org.

Delta Kayak Adventures will be at the Antioch Marina, October 1st and 2nd offering kayak rentals from 10am-4pm and FREE Standup paddleboard demos within the marina. We also will have a guided sunset paddle at 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be lots of other activities for families to enjoy too. The Delta Thunder VII boat show and exhibition and Rivertown Jamboree will be going on at the same time.

Save $5 per person on the sunset paddle if you click book now and book online. Enter save5 for promo.

Delta Kayak Adventures offers tours, rentals and classes throughout the Delta region. Book a custom tour or class with 2 or more paddlers. Contact us at deltakayakadventures@gmail.com or call 925-642-5764 for more information.

To learn more about Delta Kayak Adventures, visit www.deltakayakadventures.com or www.facebook.com/deltakayakadventures.

Be Cool By The Pool this hot Labor Day weekend and say good-bye to summer at the Antioch Water Park.  Hours are 11:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  All five slides are operating and each pool provides a unique swimming experience.  You can swim laps and exercise, play with your toddlers and young children, stand and splash while the kids ride the slides, and challenge the floating lily pads in the sport pool.

Need a place for a last minute Birthday party or family get-together?  Let the friendly staff at Antioch Water Park help you this weekend.  For more information please contact the Water Park 776-3070 or visit their page on the City’s website.

By Allen Payton

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again, as the old saying goes. The proponents of what has become known as the Save The Yard effort, to create a park and event center on the former Antioch Lumber Company site in downtown, are following that advice.

According to Antioch City Manager’s Weekly Report, dated August 19th: On Monday, August 15th Joy Motts, the representative for the proponent, Jim Lanter, submitted a revised request for a “Title and Summary” for a revised Initiative Ordinance based on inconsistencies found by the City Attorney on Friday, August 12th. The proponent had been given the opportunity by the City Attorney and City Clerk/Elections Official to leave the initiative Ordinance as submitted on August 12th or to resubmit with corrections and that the City Clerk/Elections Official would waive a new Filing Fee. It was immediately sent to the City Attorney who has up to 15 days to prepare a “Title and Summary” and present it to the City Clerk/Elections Official for delivery to the proponent.

According to Motts, the proponents have 180 days to gather signatures from at least 10% of the registered voters in Antioch during the latest election. That figure is 46,677 as of June 25, 2016. If so, the initiative will be placed on the November, 2017 ballot. However, if they gather signatures of at last 15% of the registered voters, a special election can be called, which would occur sometime, next spring.