The East Bay Regional Park District celebrated its 90th Anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden with the presentation of resolutions by State Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. The resolutions recognize the Park District’s contributions over the past 90 years and its important role in the East Bay providing access to nature close to home for the three million residents in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
“For many people, East Bay Regional Parks have provided a lifetime of memories,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “Whether it’s taking a first hike, catching a first fish, or feeding animals at the Little Farm, many of us have lasting memories and a deep appreciation for East Bay Regional Parks.”
The Park District’s story began in the late 1920s when thousands of acres of watershed land in the East Bay hills became available for development. Civic leaders came together with an ambitious vision to preserve the land forever and balance environmental conservation with public enjoyment. In 1934, during the Great Depression, a measure was placed on the ballot to create the East Bay Regional Park District and provide funding for land preservation. The measure passed with 71% voter approval.
Today, the Park District has 73 Regional Parks and is the largest regional park district in the nation.
“For the past 90 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has preserved and protected open space and provided safe and welcoming parks for recreation, conservation, and enjoying nature in Alameda and Contra Costa counties,” said East Bay Regional Park District Board President Elizabeth Echols. “Today, we are the largest regional park district in the country with over 126,000 acres of parklands, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails available for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery.”
Two East Bay Regional Park District champions—State Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan—presented resolutions at the event. Both are key supporters of the Park District in Sacramento and have secured much needed funding for Regional Parks, environmental restoration and wildfire protection.
Senator Nancy Skinner secured $36 million in the 2022-23 budget for acquisition and clean-up of Point Molate Regional Park in Richmond and $10 million in the 2021-22 budget to address tree mortality on Park District lands, a public safety emergency. These funds are currently helping remove dead and dying trees from East Bay Regional Parks.
Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan secured $4 million in the 2019-20 state budget for restoration of Alder and Leatherwood Creek in Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. The Alder and Leatherwood Creek project restored 3,000 feet of culverted creek to more natural conditions and is the largest creek restoration project in the Park District’s 90-year history. The area provides restored natural habitat for special-status or protected species and improved water quality and streamflow in the creek channel for rainbow trout.
Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan also secured $3.5 million for the Park District in the 2021-22 state budget for wildfire protection equipment, including equipment for the Park District’s new helicopter, which is relied upon as a tool to put out fires.
Said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, “This park system not only enhances our quality of life but also exemplifies our shared commitment to conserving California’s natural heritage for future generations.”
For more information about the Park District’s 90th Anniversary, visit www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years.
