To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Report Title: RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT the Resolution Celebrating the East Bay Regional Park District's 90th Anniversary as recommended by Supervisor Diane Burgis
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
None
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF CELEBRATING THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District has reached a significant milestone, marking 90 years of public service as the largest regional park district in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Park District has grown to encompass 73 regional parks, spanning 126,000 acres of parklands, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, offering diverse recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping and discovering nature; and
WHEREAS, the Park District's commitment to environmental conservation and the provision of positive experiences in nature has been a cornerstone of its history and mission; and
WHEREAS, the visionary efforts of civic leaders in the late 1920s, who, faced with the sudden availability of watershed land in the East Bay hills, came together to preserve the land forever, balancing environmental conservation with public benefit; and
WHEREAS, the collaboration with renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and National Park Service’s Chief Naturalist Ansel Hall, resulting in the 1930 Olmsted-Hall report, laid the foundation for the East Bay Regional Park District, bringing national credibility to the cause; and
WHEREAS, during the challenging times of the Depression, civic leaders demonstrated unwavering dedication by placing a measure on the ballot in 1934 to establish the Park District and tax themselves for land preservation, with a resounding 71 percent approval on November 6, 1934; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 1936, the District made its first land acquisitions from the East Bay Municipal Utility District, establishing the inaugural parks - Upper Wildcat Canyon (Tilden), Temescal and Roundtop (Sibley); and
WHEREAS, for nine decades, the East Bay Regional Park District has remained steadfast in its commitment to preserving and protecting open space, providing safe and welcoming parks for recreation, and enhancing the quality of life for the community; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, hereby celebrate and commend the East Bay Regional Park District on its 90th Anniversary, recognizing its significant contributions to environmental conservation, recreation and community well-being; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Park District for its dedication to preserving natural beauty, fostering outdoor enjoyment and creating a lasting legacy for generations to come; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we encourage all East Bay communities to join in the celebration of the Park District's 90 years of milestones and history, participating in the various events and programs throughout the year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be presented to the East Bay Regional Park District as a gesture of our appreciation for its enduring commitment to public service and environmental stewardship.
end