East Bay Regional Park District

Check out the June issue of the Park Explorer newsletter, with updates from the Park District, featuring Pride Month celebrations, a Free Park Day honoring Juneteenth, All Abilities Day at Crab Cove, a Parks and Community Resource Fair in Concord, and fun summer programs and activities. www.ebparks.org/whats-new/newsletters

🏊 Don Castro Swim Lagoon reopens tomorrow, June 6. 🎉 Reopening the lagoon had been delayed due to a killdeer nest discovered on-site. Killdeer are ground-nesting birds protected by state and federal law, and their nests cannot be moved or disturbed. Over Memorial Day Weekend, the eggs hatched, and staff has resumed preparing the facility for public use. Thank you for your patience as we balance public access with wildlife protection.

Don Castro hours and cashless fee information: www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/don-castro

The 26th Annual Bird and Butterfly Festival is happening this Sunday, June 7, from 10am to 3pm at Coyote Hills Regional Park. Celebrate the vibrant array of birds, butterflies, and local pollinators. Tour the Nectar Garden, watch puppet shows, and learn about pollinators at special presentations. Enjoy family-friendly nature crafts and live music from Steady Eddy and the Shakers. Carpools and bikes are encouraged. https://www.ebparks.org/calendar?terms=Bird%20Butterfly%20Festival

🚒 Reminder: Tilden Regional Park Wildland Fire Training

The East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department and regional partner agencies will continue multi-agency wildland fire training exercises in Tilden Regional Park this week.

📅 Wednesday, June 3, and Friday, June 5
⏰ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors and neighbors may see uniformed fire and law enforcement personnel, emergency vehicles, and equipment in the area. This is a planned training exercise, not an emergency. There will be no live fire or smoke used.

This annual drill has taken place with cooperating agencies for more than 25 years and helps support a coordinated regional response to wildland fires in and around Tilden Regional Park.

--

City of Berkeley, City of El Cerrito, CA, City of Oakland - Local Government, Kensington Fire Protection District, Alameda County Fire Department, Berkeley Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department, Moraga-Orinda Fire District, Oakland Fire Department, Richmond Fire Department, CA

Congratulations to East Bay Regional Park District’s volunteers and leaders recognized by the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts at its recent conference in Monterey!

Maggie Clark was named Outstanding Volunteer in recognition of her extraordinary contributions since 1989. Her specialized knowledge of avian life has supported numerous peer-reviewed papers and reports that continue to guide the District’s management of federally and state-listed shorebirds and special-status reptiles.

The District’s Archives volunteers were collectively honored for their outstanding service. Each year, the team contributes more than 2,400 hours to the intake, organization, and digitization of thousands of photographs, documents, and other historic assets. As CARPD noted, these volunteers are “the keepers of the District’s soul.”

Board Member Dennis Waespi received the Jim Meredith lifetime achievement award in recognition of more than 50 years of service to the Park District. After nearly 40 years of boots-on-the-ground service in Operations and Maintenance, he brought his deep institutional knowledge to the policy level when he was elected to the Park District's Board of Directors in 2014. Representing Ward 3, Director Waespi has continued to advocate for the Castro Valley, Hayward, and Union City communities.

Thank you to Maggie, the Archives volunteers, and Director Waespi for your remarkable service and dedication to the East Bay Regional Parks.

-

Join the Park District in celebrating diversity in parks and creating welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy. From hikes across the Park District to Tilden's Pride in the Park event, there are fun and inclusive activities for all to enjoy. Enjoy Pride month in the Regional Parks! www.ebparks.org/calendar?terms=Pride

Head to Tilden Regional Park on Tuesday, June 2 from 4-8pm for Pride at the Brazilian Room Seasonal Celebration. This open house event will be a great time to view the venue and meet with approved caterers and preferred vendors for snacks, music, photo ops, and a good time! Bring your friends and family to this special Pride celebration. https://www.ebparks.org/calendar?terms=Pride%20Brazilian%20Room

Now available online: Watch a recording of yesterday's live Wildfire Resilience video presentation to learn about the Park District's latest wildfire efforts and approaches to managing fire risks. www.ebparks.org/public-safety/fire -resilience-webinar

Join the Park District in recognizing Black Birders Week, a weeklong program series that creates safe spaces for all visitors to enjoy Regional Parks. From Sunday, May 24 to Saturday, May 30, spend time with community and learn about the birds of the East Bay. All programs are free and coffee, snacks, binoculars, and birding books are provided. All are welcome. https://www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/black-birders-week