The Antioch Water Park presents Water Park After Dark each Friday night in July.
First, enjoy Carnival Night on July 5th, followed by Christmas in July on July 12th. Then enjoy Country Night on July 19th and finally All Star Night on July 26th.
Pre-Sale tickets are $11 per person and $13 at the door or purchase an After Dark Pass for all four nights for just $35 per person at AntiochWaterPark.com.
The Antioch Water Park is located inside Prewett Family Park at 4701 Lone Tree Way.
Examples of newly installed bicycle turnouts at Mount Diablo State Park. Source: CA State Parks
By Clint Elsholz, Superintendent, Diablo Range District, CA State Parks
California State Parks, in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation, Mount Diablo Cyclists, and community donors, began construction on June 3, on 22 new bike turnouts at Mount Diablo State Park (SP). Once completed, these new turnouts will bring the total turnouts in the park to 67. Turnouts allow bicyclists, who move at slower speeds as they pedal uphill, to pull out of the main traffic lane into their own lane so that vehicles can pass safely.
“State Parks is very excited to implement these critical safety measures with our partners,” said Diablo Range District Superintendent Clint Elsholz. “Each turnout can provide our visitors with a safer and more enjoyable park experience.”
Project construction is expected to be completed by fall 2024. Here is what the public can expect during construction:
The three park roads receiving new turnouts (South Gate Road, Summit Road and North Gate Road) will be closed on weekdays, from 8 a.m. on Monday through 2 p.m. on Friday. The park will be fully open on the weekends during the project.
This work will be done in three phases, with the first phase beginning on June 3, on South Gate Road. Southgate Road will remain closed on weekdays for approximately five weeks until the project moves to Summit Road and then to North Gate Road.
Vehicles, bicyclists, equestrians, and hikers will be prohibited on the closed roads until the project is completed.
Camping will only be allowed on Friday and Saturday nights in campgrounds along closed roads.
All trails and fire roads will remain open throughout the project.
At the completion of this important road safety project, California State Parks and its partners will plan a celebration event to commemorate these safety improvements and recognize contributors to the project. Road closures updates and celebration event information will be provided at parks.ca.gov/MountDiablo.
Public safety at this popular destination remains a priority for State Parks. Over the past few years, several safety enhancements have been implemented, such as double yellow line striping on the roads, designating passing areas, repaving portions of the road, improving safety signage, and installing designated bike turnouts. To date, State Parks has installed 45 bike turnouts at Mount Diablo SP. Along South Gate Road, there are a total of 17 turnouts, 16 along North Gate Road, and 12 along Summit Road.
Visitors to Mount Diablo SP are encouraged to share the road. Here are some tips to keep your visit safe and enjoyable:
All Users
Check the weather, bring water, and wear layers.
Don’t forget sunscreen.
Obey park rules.
Park in designated areas.
Tell someone where you are going and when you plan on returning.
Help us keep animals wild by viewing them from a safe distance. Do not touch or feed them.
Drivers and Cyclists
Observe posted speed limits.
Stay in your lane on blind curves and do not cut corners.
Do not pass on double yellow lines and until you have a clear view of oncoming traffic, and it is safe to do so.
Wearing headphones that cover both ears is illegal. Wear only one headphone if you must.
Hikers
Use the “buddy system” – hike with a friend or family member.
Drink and carry plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every 2 hours).
Wear sturdy, comfortable, closed-toe shoes to help prevent injury.
Stay within designated trails. Do not walk off-trail or enter closed areas.
Equestrian Riders
Check the weather, bring water, and know where to find water. Bring snacks for you and your horse.
Know your level. Trails can be beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Groom and condition your horse before leaving the barn.
Bring your own first aid kit and cell phone. Attach it to your body, not your horse or saddle.
Ride with a buddy.
Wear a helmet and protective clothing.
Carry a compass and a trail map.
Although the rule is that cyclists and hikers yield to horses, be prepared for that not to happen.
If your horse kicks, tie something red in its tail.
Make sure to leave enough distance between horses. You should be able to see the hooves of the horse in front of you.
California State Parks 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.
Do you think our six-legged neighbors are creepy or cool? Join us to take a closer look at the world of insects. Learn about fierce predators, plant munchers, and nectar sippers and how they get a meal. We’ll search for insects, play a game, and design our own imaginary insects.
Meet at Laurel Nook Picnic Area. June 29, 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Park at the Diablo Overlook parking area next to Juniper Campground (see yellow circle on map below). There is a $10 per vehicle entry fee.
Become a “bone detective” this Wednesday, June 12. Start off California State Parks Week at Mount Diablo with a trip to the Summit to explore something new.
Examine bones and skull replicas and use your powers of observation to solve the mystery of what animals they belong to and to discover the interesting secrets they reveal about how each survives.
Summer is right around the corner and what better way to take advantage of all the summer fun than by becoming a camper! This summer, you can expect engaging activities and wacky themes for our campers ages 5-12! From arts and crafts to sports and outdoor adventures, our qualified and experienced staff are dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for every camper. Enjoy field trips, exciting presentations, visits to the Antioch Water Park, a morning and afternoon extended care option, and so much more! Don’t wait! Register your child for summer camp today at antiochca.gov/register or call (925) 776-3050.
Father’s Day themed activities Sunday, June 16; Juneteenth Free Park Day Wednesday, June 19
By Flora Csontos, Acting Public Information Specialist, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District
Thank you to the estimated 6,000 attendees who celebrated the East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary at ParkFest at Lake Chabot Regional Park on May 11 and enjoyed a fun event filled with music, performances, food, and more. What a great time celebrating nearly a century of preserving open space and providing East Bay residents with access to nature close to home. Join us for more fun events throughout the year celebrating 90 years of East Bay Regional Parks, including “Explore Your Parks” programs, festivals, story sessions, picnics, and much more. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years.
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The largest creek restoration project in the Park District’s history was recently completed at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, which removed several culverts and opened up 3,000 feet of creek to a more natural run. It is also the largest creek daylighting project in the entire Bay Area.
The Alder and Leatherwood Creek Restoration and Public Access Project, previously referred to as the McCosker Project, provides natural habitat for special status or protected species, including the California red-legged frog, California foothill yellow-legged frog, Alameda whipsnake, San Francisco dusky-footed wood rat, golden eagle, Cooper’s hawk, loggerhead shrike, northern harrier, and white-tailed kite. Water quality and streamflow were also improved by the project, providing new habitat for rainbow trout.
The project was made possible through $4 million in funding secured by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan in the 2019 state budget. Additional funding came from the Park District’s voter-approved Measure WW and other state and federal grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wildlife Conservation Board, Coastal Conservancy, California State Parks, and voter-approved Propositions 1, 84, and 50 allocated by the California Natural Resources Agency.
Park District launches pilot program to streamline entry at Del Valle Regional Park. East Bay RegionalPark District began a new pilot project on Memorial Day weekend to expedite park entry at Del Valle on weekends and holidays. Entry to Del Valle Regional Park on busy weekends and holidays can be very challenging as visitors line up at the entry kiosk to pay for park admission and parking. With the pilot project, visitors will pay a single $10 flat fee to enter the park rather than individual fees based on park use. The $10 flat fee covers park parking, trailers, and dogs. Fishing and quagga inspection fees can be purchased at the marina area. The $10 flat fee does not apply to Regional Parks Foundation members, who receive free park entry/parking at all Regional Parks as part of membership benefits. To help expedite entry, a limited number of passes will also be available for pre-purchase online at www.ebparks.org/parks/del-valle/pre-purchase-parking. As vehicles approach the kiosk, there will be a separate line for pre-paid parking, staff, members, and residents. For up-to-date information or to provide feedback, visit www.ebparks.org/parks/del-valle.
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Join the Park District to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19. The Park District is celebrating Juneteenth with a Free Park Day and special naturalist-led programs on Wednesday, June 19, which is a state and federal holiday. All are welcome! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Join the Park District to celebrate and reflect. For more information, visit https://www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/juneteenth.
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A community meetingfor theBriones Pilot Project on June 15 will share feedback on the progress made in the past year and what’s ahead for the project in its second year. The meeting is a chance for attendees to share their views on the pilot project, too. The in-person meeting will be held on Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m. at the Alhambra Creek Staging Area of Briones Regional Park in Martinez. The Briones Pilot Project is a two-year project created to test new ways to safely share trails amongst bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The project also improves the trail experience for all users while protecting habitat, wildlife, and watersheds. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/Briones-Pilot-Project.
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Enjoy Father’s Day at the East Bay Regional Park on June 16. Celebrate Father’s Day in nature or check out one of the themed activities planned in Regional Parks: Anthony Chabot Campfire: WILD Dads! at 8 p.m. at Anthony Chabot Family Campground, Father’s Day Celebration at 11 a.m. at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove, or Father’s Day Family Hike at 1:30 p.m. at Del Valle. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar?terms=Father’s+Day.
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Celebrate Regional Parks at Lakeside Laps on July 20. Mark East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th and the Regional Parks Foundation’s 55th Anniversary with a 5k, 10k, or half marathon at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. The Regional Parks Foundation event is a fundraiser supporting East Bay Regional Parks. Come celebrate wellness, community, and the beauty of the Regional Parks while enjoying a run along the lake. For more information, visit www.regionalparksfoundation.org/news-events/lakeside-laps.
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.
