The East Bay Regional Park District recognized state Senator Tim Grayson early in April 2025 with the 2024 Radke Championing Advocacy Award. Senator Grayson accepted this award at a ceremony at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park—Home of the Port Chicago 50, near the site of the proposed first public access location for the park in Concord.
The award honors Grayson’s previous work as a member of the California State Assembly where he championed policies that promote active transportation improvements and minimize wildfire risk; secured $3 million in state funding for development of the South of Bailey Road Staging Area at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park and authored AB 2091, Park District-sponsored legislation to allow public access to preexisting paved and natural surface roads and trails. AB 2091 was signed into law by the Governor in 2024 after being approved unanimously by the Legislature.
“Continuing to tell the history at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park—Home of the Port Chicago 50 is of special importance to the Park District,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “Especially in light of last year’s full exoneration of the Black sailors who were charged with mutiny after the explosion at Port Chicago, the worst home front disaster of World War II.”
Thurgood Marshall Park, along with a planned visitor center, will integrate the human history and recreational opportunities of the site. The $3 million secured by then-Assemblymember Grayson is inspiring the development of the first formal public access to this new regional park. The Access Project seeks to design and construct the park’s first staging area south of Bailey Road. The site will include visitor use facilities such as ADA all-gender restrooms, bike racks and educational panels to share the park’s history.
“Being a huge fan of East Bay Regional Parks, I am so honored to receive the Radke Award today,” said Senator Tim Grayson. “I look forward to seeing these projects grow and continuing to bring support to the people and parks here as a Senator.”
East Bay Regional Park District gives the annual Radke Championing Advocacy Award to an individual who advances state or federal support for the Park District. It is named for the late Ted Radke, a member of the Park District Board of Directors who, at 36 years of service, was the longest-serving board member in the Park District’s 91-year history. Director Radke established the legislative committee of the Board and was committed to strengthening the Park District’s ties to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
