Board Confirms Max Korten as Park District GM After Flow Trail Clash

The East Bay Regional Park District board made its biggest personnel move in years on Aug. 4, unanimously installing Max Korten as permanent general manager — and heard an hour of impassioned public testimony from conservationists and youth mountain bikers at war over a proposed flow trail in Wildcat Canyon.

• Max Korten locked in as permanent GM at $389K after serving as acting leader for more than a year; board praised labor relations turnaround, budget transparency and conservation focus

• Wildcat Canyon Flow Trail debate packed public comment — Friends of Wildcat Canyon Park, youth bike teams and BAMBI's 16,000 members clashed over recreation vs. the park's 1985 conservation mandate

• $1.48M Crown Beach sewer overhaul awarded to separate the district's most-visited park from aging shared infrastructure

• Measure WW progress report accepted, showing $348.6M leveraged beyond the original $500M bond — but calls for a forensic audit of former GM spending persist

• Over a dozen fires hit district parks in one month, with the district helicopter logging 100-plus water drops on the 1,000-acre "Little Fire" near Shadow Cliffs

Wildcat Canyon Flow Trail Sparks Fierce Community Rift

More than a dozen residents filled the public comment period with dueling testimony over a proposed 1.4-mile engineered downhill mountain bike flow trail in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park — a project that has become a proxy fight over the district's dual mandate to provide recreation and protect natural lands.

Why it matters: Wildcat Canyon has been designated a protected natural area under the district's 1985 land use plan. The flow trail proposal, backed by a seven-figure private donation, would introduce engineered features — jumps, rollers and berms — into terrain that opponents say is home to California red-legged frogs, Alameda whipsnakes and nesting birds.

Where things stand: Opposition was organized and specific. Marilyn Limeloys, a founding member of Friends of Wildcat Canyon Park, reported that canvassers at the East Richmond Heights festival found universal opposition to the trail. Leslie Goldstein, a public commenter, presented survey results: of 52 park users interviewed, 48 had never heard of the project and 90% opposed it once informed. She also raised an environmental review gap, arguing the EIR's land use analysis cites Richmond's general plan but never mentions the 1985 Wildcat Canyon land use plan.

Jane Kelly, a Berkeley resident and longtime district volunteer, warned about biological impacts and the appearance of donor-driven site selection. Tom Kelly, a 25-year district volunteer, argued that liability from high-speed bike activities would raise insurance costs borne by all park users, citing a trail closure and lawsuit at Mount Hood Ski Bowl.

The other side: Supporters brought a generational argument. Joel Schrock, advocacy lead for BAMBI (Bay Area Mountain Bikers, 16,000 members), said his 11-year-old son currently drives 50 miles round trip to ride suitable trails at Briones. Multiple youth riders testified, including Owen Fowler, 16, of the El Cerrito High School Mountain Bike Team, who rebutted specific claims about trail impacts and clarified that flow trails teach balance and control, not speed. Emmy, a 10-year-old East Richmond Heights resident, told the board a flow trail five minutes from home would replace long drives to practice.

Liz Chen, an East Richmond Heights parent, pushed back on the demographics argument, noting, "I'm not white, not a man," and argued the 1.4-mile trail in a 2,007-acre park represents minimal impact.

Decisions: No board action was taken — this was public comment only. The project's environmental review remains pending.

Korten Era Begins: Board Locks in Permanent GM

Why it matters: After more than a year as acting general manager navigating a turbulent budget cycle, Max Korten now has the permanent mandate — and salary — to steer the district through its next chapter. The board approved his contract unanimously at $388,731.24 annually, plus a $4,200 transportation allowance and CalPERS retirement under PEPRA.

Where things stand: Directors used the vote as an occasion to catalog specific accomplishments. Board President Olivia Sanwong credited Korten with resolving the Del Val kiosk issue and restoring the Garm staging area to the capital projects list — items she had championed since joining the board in 2023.

Director Dennis Waespi highlighted the labor relations turnaround: "We have seen, in a matter of weeks, vast improvement in our relationship with our labor union," he said.

Scott Barnabaugh, speaking for the Bicycle Trails Council East Bay, offered public support, praising Korten's ability to bring staff, directors and stakeholders together.

General Manager Korten kept his remarks brief: "This is a real dream job, and I appreciate your trust and advice and guidance, and I just appreciate this team."

Decisions: Passed 6-0 (For: Sanwong, Coffey, Waespi, Espana, Mercurio, Deschambault; Absent: Echols).

Crown Beach Gets $1.48M Sewer and Water Overhaul

The basics: Crown Memorial State Beach — the district's most-visited park — has long shared sewer and water infrastructure with Alameda Point Collaborative through an aging brick-manhole and clay-pipe system that frequently clogs and risks sewage overflow.

Why it matters: The project will give Crown Beach an independent sewer lift station and water connections, ending reliance on APC's deteriorating system. It also replaces vandalized chemical toilets with a permanent, ADA-compliant four-stall restroom.

Where things stand: Civil engineer Shun Yu, who designed the project in-house, presented the scope: sewer system separation, a new lift station connecting to the City of Alameda sewer on Central Avenue, water main extension and restroom construction. Seven bids were received, ranging from $1.4M to $2.5M; West Rock Engineering's low bid of $1.48M came in 30% below the $2M engineer's estimate. Construction is expected to begin in September 2026 with completion in spring 2027.

Director Espana asked about the feasibility of reclaimed water "purple pipe" infrastructure, but staff determined it was infeasible because EBMUD lacks distribution infrastructure in the area. The project does not include full repair of McKay Avenue, which staff said must wait for future master plan alignment.

Decisions: Passed 6-0, with a $212,700 contingency approved (For: Sanwong, Coffey, Waespi, Espana, Mercurio, Deschambault; Absent: Echols).

Measure WW Report: $348M Leveraged, but Audit Calls Linger

The basics: Measure WW, a $500M bond approved by 72% of Alameda and Contra Costa County voters in 2008, funds parkland acquisition and capital projects. SB 165 now requires the district to produce user-friendly progress reports.

Why it matters: This first comprehensive report shows strong returns — 230 of 240 local grant projects completed, $348.6M leveraged through additional grants — but also surfaces unresolved questions about how the former general manager spent bond funds.

Where things stand: Grants Manager Katie Hornbeck reported that the bond was split 25% to local grants (46 agencies, 240 projects) and 75% to district capital projects across three metropolitan planning areas. Commitments have been completed in four of 67 investment areas.

Amelia Marshall of the Regional Parks Association congratulated Korten but called for a forensic audit, specifically citing $2M in WW funds designated for Sibley open space that she said appears to have been spent on Tilden EEC consultants.

Director Espana echoed the concern, calling for "Table F" accounting of fund transfers before the 2027 budget process: "I don't think it's necessarily a question or comment but that we aren't making policy decisions and moving money at the time we're trying to get a budget approved."

GM Korten pushed back on any suggestion of planned reallocations: "We're not proposing any reallocation of Measure WW in our budget. That was clear from our conversations in our study sessions." He added that all past transfers were board-approved in open session.

Vice President Colin Coffey highlighted the multiplier effect: "An additional $348 million of these funds has been leveraged through grants and other funding sources. The object here of this program is to get funding for acquisition and projects. And we've done that."

Decisions: Report accepted 6-0 (For: Sanwong, Coffey, Waespi, Espana, Mercurio, Deschambault; Absent: Echols).

What's next: President Sanwong linked the report to the 2027 budget workshop series, signaling the board intends to use Measure WW accounting as scaffolding for next year's budget deliberations.

Brown Act Telecom Policy Adopted — After a Live Stress Test

The board adopted a new policy for handling internet or phone outages during public meetings, as required by SB 707, which amended the Brown Act effective July 1, 2026.

Under the policy, the presiding officer would recess the meeting for up to one hour while staff restore service. If service returns after more than two minutes, five minutes are given for the public to reconnect. If service cannot be restored, the board may extend the recess, adjourn or adopt a finding by roll call vote to continue.

The policy got an inadvertent trial run earlier in the meeting when an internet outage interrupted public comment. Director Espana noted the procedures worked well during the actual interruption.

Decisions: Passed 6-0 (For: Sanwong, Coffey, Waespi, Espana, Mercurio, Deschambault; Absent: Echols).

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 6-0 (items G1-G6, G8-G12, G14-G20); item G13 (L3Harris contract) was pulled entirely.

• Ventech automated fee machines for Del Val (G14) aim to resolve years of kiosk access complaints from cyclists and eastern Alameda County residents; President Sanwong expressed hope for completion by Memorial Day 2027. Advance written support came from Bike East Bay, Livermore Councilmember Steven Dunbar and advocate Todd Nelson.

• SHI Inc. IT contract amendment of $475,000 (G7) approved 5-0 after President Sanwong recused herself due to a Microsoft-related conflict of interest; Vice President Coffey presided.

• Chevron agreement extended (G3) for Point San Pablo Bay Trail planning; Bruce Baird of TRAC urged staff to also pursue railroad and city parcels to complete the trail through industrial shoreline.

• Vault toilet replacements at Three Islands (G12): five chemical toilets replaced at $248,000.

• Two new assistant general managers introduced: Jonah Nicholas (CFO, joining during budget development) and Chris Wycoff (facilities infrastructure).

• Mid-year grants update: The district manages 100-110 active grants averaging $150-168M; 48 FEMA public assistance grants are pending for 2017 and 2023 storm damage, with approximately $22M expected. Only 2 of 13 project worksheets for 2023 storms have been obligated, with the rest stuck in FEMA's environmental review (typically 9-18 months). The largest recent grant: $36M for Point Molate.

• GM honored the late Jerry Kent, a longtime park advocate, and reported 128% growth in Instagram engagement under a new communications strategy.

• Director Espana reported on volunteer conservation work with endangered least terns in Baja Mexico, noting that despite federal cuts to the Endangered Species Act, Mexico remains an active partner.