Wildcat Flow Trail Clash Hits Park Board Ahead of Draft EIR

The fight over a proposed bike-only flow trail in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park reached the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors on Nov. 3, 2026. Thirteen public speakers used open comment to challenge, or defend, the environmental review before the draft is released. The board also approved its 2027 meeting calendar 5-1, received an update on a new park at the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course, and disclosed a $5.5M federal lawsuit settlement.

---

• Wildcat Flow Trail: Opponents question the independence of the environmental review; youth riders' advocates push for access
• Roddy Ranch park: Four miles of trails, with bidding targeted for early 2027
• 2027 calendar adopted 5-1 after debate over meeting start times
• $5.5M settlement announced in a federal civil suit
• Four tagline options head to A/B testing on social media

---

Wildcat Flow Trail Opponents Target EIR

Why it matters: The board will eventually decide whether to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the trail. An EIR is the most detailed review required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Opponents argued that flaws in the process now could leave the report open to a CEQA challenge later.

Where things stand: Nearly all of the 13 speakers addressed the trail. Many critics were members of Friends of Wildcat Canyon Park, and their comments formed a coordinated, technical case.

Public commenter David Endry said the district's environmental checklist contradicts itself on whether visitation will increase. He asked the board to require a single visitation projection with a published method and counts.

Steve Loutz, a Friends of Wildcat Canyon Park member, said documents obtained through the Public Records Act show conclusions were written into the consultant's scope. One example he cited was a presumed shift of bike trips from Tilden Regional Park. He asked for an independent visitation estimate and field surveys.

Other critics raised specific gaps:

• Michael Graham said the consultant contract funds analysis for only two of six biology questions. He asked who will analyze the rest and whether the field surveys requested by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be funded.
• Eleanor Blake said the consultant wrote and repeatedly revised the project description. She asked for a final, district-signed version that identifies the changes.
• Leslie Goldstein said the checklist carries language from a mitigated negative declaration, a lighter CEQA document. She asked that geology, hydrology, noise, recreation and wildfire each be analyzed on their own evidence.

Process and ethics concerns: One commenter raised an appearance-of-independence problem tied to a trails program manager's possible link to a mountain biking coalition donor list. Jane Kelly alleged the public was excluded from private staff talks with a would-be donor and requested recordings or written documentation of five calls. Janet Flint said 85% of the people she has met had not heard of the project, and she asked what notices the district itself has sent. Lynn McMichael urged the board to abandon the trail as inconsistent with the district's mission.

The other side: Supporters framed the trail as a safety and access measure. Helena Gilbert Snyder, a youth mountain bike coach, said a purpose-built trail offers safer access for young riders, including riders from underrepresented groups. Jenny McGregor, a Friends of Wildcat Flow Trail volunteer, said most of about 400 park visitors surveyed signed a petition in support after hearing the district's facts. Susan Wong, a parent of a youth rider, cited skills, teamwork and time outdoors.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The comments came during the period for items not on the agenda, so the board took no action. Opponents are building a record on visitation, biology and independence. That record could shape both the draft EIR and any later legal challenge. Youth cycling programs and families have the most to gain if the trail is built.

What's next: The draft EIR is pending. Speakers asked the board to direct staff before its release.

---

Roddy Ranch Park Heads Toward 2027 Bid

Why it matters: The 230-acre former Roddy Ranch Golf Course in Deer Valley would become the first public access on Habitat Conservation Plan preserve lands in eastern Contra Costa County.

Where things stand: Phase one covers recreation:

• 4 miles of trails, about 1.5 miles of them accessible
• About 150 parking spaces
• Equestrian staging
• A vault restroom and an interpretive pavilion
• A left-turn lane on Deer Valley Road

Funding includes nearly $4M from the Wildlife Conservation Board, $5M in California Parks grants, Contra Costa County funds and Measure WW dollars. Bidding is likely in early 2027, with construction from spring 2027 to mid-2028. Phase two habitat restoration will use adaptive management after the first drainage repair.

The other side: Trail users pressed for different designs. Jim Hansen, conservation chair of the California Native Plant Society, urged wider trails with mowed shoulders and asked that construction plans return to the board. Amelia Marshall of the California State Horsemen's Association asked for:

• Separation of trail users
• A hiker-and-horse-only trail
• Horse camping
• Keeping existing houses for staff

Judy Smith, a Ward 2 Park Advisory Committee member, sought native trees and people-free conservation areas around vernal pools and ponds.

Directors asked about trees, a hiker-only loop, mowing and honoring Jack Roddy. "Doing that trailside mowing is really important," said General Manager Max Korten, describing it as an expected part of managing the site.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: This was an informational update, and no vote was taken. Trail-use policy remains the open question for equestrians, hikers and conservation advocates.

What's next: Bidding is expected in early 2027.

---

Taglines Go to Testing, Not a Vote

Why it matters: A tagline could anchor district branding and future funding outreach. It also shapes how the district reaches non-English speakers and underserved groups.

Where things stand: The Bodwell Group presented draft key messages and these tagline options:

• Protecting the Irreplaceable, with a variant, Enriching the Everyday
• Yours to Explore
• Nature Preserved, Joy Served
• Protect, Explore, Connect

Polling showed 82% favorability for the district. Top priorities were preventing wildfires, water quality, habitat, natural areas and maintaining existing parks.

The other side: Directors raised gaps in the polling, translation and sign language interpretation. They also asked whether Healthy Parks, Healthy People should be tested. Public commenter Leslie Goldstein asked the board to test Protecting the Irreplaceable against the Wildcat Flow Trail and show how the project is consistent with it.

What's next: Staff will A/B test the options on social media and aim to settle on one tagline.

---

Hybrid 2027 Calendar Passes Over One Dissent

Where things stand: Staff offered three calendar options. Each shifted dates around conferences and lobbying trips to Sacramento and Washington. Director Luana Espana moved to adopt Calendar B, with the executive and legislative committees starting at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The result is a hybrid of Calendars A and B.

The other side: Directors questioned why later board start times were not analyzed. They also raised limits on committee compensation. Directors stressed that the finance committee should not be combined with another committee or scheduled after a board meeting.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The calendar passed by voice vote (For: 5, Against: 1, Absent: 1). The dissenting director was not identified. Later committee start times respond to accessibility concerns for working board members, and meeting times shape who can serve and participate.

What's next: The Park Advisory Committee start time was deferred and will return as a future item.

---

$5.5M Settlement in Federal Suit

Board Chair Olivia Sanwong reported that on Oct. 6 the board approved a $5.5M settlement of Faison v. East Bay Regional Park District, U.S. District Court case 24 CV 6059. The settlement includes no admission of fault. The case will be dismissed once a written agreement is finalized. The payout commits seven figures of public funds.

---

Minor Items

• Crew 3 honored: Interim Fire Chief Ray Iverson and Assistant Chief Kari Healey recognized the fuels crew for 50 acres treated, 545 burn piles burned and seven emergency responses.
• Survey gaps flagged: Disability services group BORP said 88% of its respondents had a disability or a household member with one, and it cited survey barriers for screen-reader users. Youth partner Growing Together reported that students prioritized wildfire fuel reduction.
• Consent calendar: Item 3 was pulled at staff request, and the remaining items passed (For: 6, Against: 0, Absent: 1, Director Deschambault). The approval included a correction to the Oct. 6 minutes.
• Tilden steam train: Ellen Thompson, owner of the Redwood Valley Railway, said eight years without a contract leaves the railway choosing between investing and leaving.
• Board reports: Directors flagged a dispute over a Niles Canyon Trail crossing. Director John Mercurio recounted a congressman naming the district as his top East Bay recommendation: "East Bay Regional Park District! And the whole crowd cheered."

---

Looking Ahead

Directors proposed future agenda items on:

• The Park Advisory Committee start time
• A flat monthly fee for board compensation instead of per-meeting pay
• Restoring staff announcements and district email distribution to directors