Board Takes First Step to Open Long-Closed Doolan Canyon Preserve

The East Bay Regional Park District Board voted unanimously to begin opening the 800-acre Doolan Canyon Regional Preserve to the public — nearly two decades after the land was first acquired — while also celebrating news that the Trust for Public Land has secured an option to purchase the 161-acre Golden Gate Fields property in Albany, signaling the district's most aggressive expansion push in years.

• Board directs staff 7-0 to begin managed public access at Doolin Canyon, starting with guided tours and phasing toward broader opening over two years

• Trust for Public Land enters option agreement to buy Golden Gate Fields, backed by $20M in Measure WW funds, with $175M more needed for the largest new East Bay shoreline park in decades

• Park police report 367 arrests, zero homicides, and near-full staffing — 74 of 76 sworn positions filled — with D.A. charging rates up 50%

• $1.4M contract awarded for two Tilden Park bridges that will restore upstream passage for native rainbow trout

• $937K approved for construction management of the $16.4M Tidewater shoreline park in East Oakland

• Board approves AB 481 equipment report, previewing a drone-as-first-responder pilot that could deliver flotation devices before officers arrive

After 20 Years, Doolan Canyon Begins to Open

The board's most extensive discussion of the evening — spanning more than two hours — ended with a unanimous 7-0 roll call vote directing staff to begin managed public access at Doolan Canyon Regional Preserve, a sprawling property in the heart of the Tri-Valley that has never been open to visitors despite acquisitions dating back to 2007.

Why it matters: The preserve sits between Livermore, Dublin, and San Ramon — three of the East Bay's fastest-growing cities — in an area starved for regional parkland. Seven special-status species, including burrowing owls and California tiger salamanders, inhabit alkali wetlands on the property, making the balance between access and conservation unusually high-stakes.

Where things stand: Staff presented four options ranging from keeping the preserve closed as conservation land (Option 1) to a pilot project opening existing service roads with seasonal closures (Option 2), managed guided tours led by the district or partners like Save Mount Diablo and Tri Valley Conservancy (Options 3A/3B), and developing the newly acquired Olson property as a staging and picnic area (Option 4). Five-year cost estimates ranged from minimal for Option 1 to $1.2–$1.7 million for Options 2 through 4.

Public comment was sharply divided. Amelia Marshall, representing California State Horsemen's Association Region 5, urged a full land use plan before any opening and called for dedicated bike-free equestrian trails. Norman LaForce, speaking for the Regional Parks Association, similarly argued that incomplete biological analysis meant the district should not rush into opening. On the opposite end, Scott Bartlebaugh of the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay pushed for Option 2 with access from both Doolan Road and Collier Canyon Road, arguing that gravel cyclists would benefit from a through-route. Larry Gosselin, an adjacent property owner with a 2019 board-approved access easement, urged the board to honor that agreement and open the trail immediately.

The most striking testimony came from within the district itself. Allison Rofe, a park district rangeland specialist speaking in a personal capacity, urged Option 1 — no public access — to protect fragile habitat.

"It's time for the Park District to step up and make conservation and recreation equivalent. And I think it's what Doolan Canyon represents," she said.

The other side: Board members wrestled openly with how much planning was needed before anyone sets foot on the property. Director Elizabeth Echols cautioned that the biological data presented was inconclusive:

"Given how special this land is, it's worth taking a look at what is there. Because I didn't get a really conclusive feeling from what was reported today."

Director John Mercurio noted that the City of Livermore paid $2 million toward the acquisition 16 years ago with no beneficial public use to show for it. Director Dennis Waespi invoked geographic equity:

"When we talk about geographical equity and putting parks in places where people are and doing it equitably, I think Livermore and that area out there in the Tri-Valley needs something."

Decisions: President Olivia Sanwong threaded the needle, proposing a phased approach:

"Maybe start with tours, learn from that, and then after that maybe there could be another phase where maybe we have a couple days of the month where the park is open, but it might not be open every single day."

Her motion — seconded by Mercurio — directed staff to begin managed access through guided tours (Options 3A/3B), plan toward the broader pilot opening (Option 2), develop the Olson staging area (Option 4), and conduct biological, cultural, and land use studies, all to return to the board before any escalation. It passed 7-0 on roll call (For: Sanwong, Deschambault, Echols, Mercurio, Waespi, Coffey, Espana).

What's next: Staff will return with study results and a phased implementation plan. The first guided tours could begin within months, with broader periodic access potentially following within two years.

Golden Gate Fields: A Mega-Park Takes Its First Step

Acting General Manager Max Korten announced that the Trust for Public Land has entered into an option agreement to purchase the 161-acre Golden Gate Fields property on Albany's shoreline — a milestone years in the making.

Why it matters: If completed, the acquisition would create the largest new shoreline park in the East Bay in decades. Approximately $20 million in Measure WW bond funds, set aside nearly 20 years ago, is enabling this step. But roughly $175 million more is needed to close the deal.

"I wanted to offer my appreciation for the partnership with TPL and also my appreciation to your board, to the past leaders from East Bay Regional Park District and from our community partners who had the foresight to put $20 million into Measure WW almost 20 years ago, and that funding is making this possible," said Korten.

Vice President Colin Coffey put the scale in context, noting that combined with the $36 million Point Molate acquisition, community partners have helped bring over $200 million in assets into the district in recent years.

"These folks in partnership with us over the course of a couple of years have brought over $200 million worth of assets into this park district. That's remarkable," he said.

Public commenter Norman LaForce, speaking for himself and Robert Chastity, praised the achievement and suggested the district pursue state resilient shoreline restoration funding through the San Francisco Estuary Institute to help close the massive funding gap.

Park Police Post Record Year: 367 Arrests, Zero Homicides

Chief of Police Roberto Filice presented the department's 2025 annual report to a board that universally praised the department's trajectory.

The basics: The department handled close to 55,000 telephone calls — a 50% increase in 911 calls over 2024 — responded to 25,000 incidents, and made 367 arrests (132 felonies, 235 misdemeanors). The High Enforcement Apprehension (HEAT) unit served 109 warrants, made 129 arrests, and recovered 64 firearms. The air support unit logged 618 flight hours. No homicides were recorded across the entire park system.

Why it matters: Near-full staffing — 74 of 76 sworn positions filled — has transformed the department's capacity.

"Our charging rate went up by 50% to the DA's office. And you know that the DA's office is not going to waste the time prosecuting cases that they can successfully bring to a conclusion," Filice said.

The department cleared all outstanding warrants for the first time.

Board members highlighted the complaint record: just 8 complaints from roughly 6,000 public interactions. Vice President Colin Coffey and Director Dennis Waespi raised a growing concern — speeding bikes and electric mopeds on regional trails like the Iron Horse Trail.

"I'm getting more complaints about excessive speed of bikes on the regional trails," Coffey said.

Staff confirmed a working group and legislative partnership are underway to address the issue.

What's next: A new police headquarters is expected to open in September 2026. The department is also deploying a detection canine focused on finding lost persons and firearms.

Two Bridges, One Creek: Tilden Gets a Trout-Friendly Upgrade

The board voted 7-0 to award a $1,407,998 construction contract to Granite Rock Company for two new bridges at the Brook Road staging area in Tilden Regional Park — an 80-foot span and a 25-foot span replacing deteriorating concrete creek crossings on Wildcat Creek.

Why it matters: Wildcat Creek runs 13 miles from Vollmer Peak to San Francisco Bay — one of the Bay Area's rarest unobstructed natural creek corridors. The existing cement crossings block upstream passage for native rainbow trout, the project's primary ecological target.

Project Manager Scott Stoller noted the project's $3.5 million total budget is funded primarily by $2.5 million in grants, with the construction bid coming in $400,000 under the engineer's estimate. Approximately $500,000 in Measure WW funds will be returned to the acquisition fund after additional state grants filled the gap. The project also adds two ADA-accessible parking stalls and improved trail connections between the Wildcat Gorge Trail, Crown Trail, and Lake Anza.

Director Elizabeth Echols praised the scope:

"One of the things I find just incredibly remarkable about these two bridges is that they marry two things we care so much about — the restoration of the creek to allow fish passage, and the ADA improvements."

What's next: Construction is expected to begin summer 2026 and be completed by winter 2026.

East Oakland Shoreline Park Advances With $937K Management Contract

The board unanimously approved a $937,657 construction management contract to Swinnerton Management and Consulting for the Tidewater Day Use project at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline — a $16.4 million investment bringing nature play areas and shoreline access to underserved East Oakland communities.

Why it matters: The project, funded through more than 10 grants including FEMA, Proposition 68, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and federal sources plus a foundation donation, incorporates sea-level-rise protections into its design.

Director Luana Espana emphasized the equity dimension, highlighting the project's importance for communities in East Oakland that have historically lacked shoreline recreation access. The construction bid is currently out; the board will receive a full presentation with results in June.

Drones That Save Lives: AB 481 Equipment Report Approved

The board approved the annual AB 481 military equipment report 7-0, documenting zero complaints and zero policy violations across five equipment categories in 2025.

The basics: California's AB 481 requires annual public reporting on military-grade equipment. The department's inventory includes UAVs (625 flights in 2025), an armored vehicle (9 deployments), a mobile command vehicle (5 deployments), less-lethal tools (1 deployment), and 40mm launchers (3 deployments).

Why it matters: Lt. Joe Scott previewed new acquisition requests including a drone-as-first-responder (DFR) system that could be piloted at Del Valle Regional Park. The concept: a drone stationed on-site launches automatically on a 911 call and delivers a flotation device to a drowning victim minutes before any human responder can arrive.

What's next: A community engagement meeting is scheduled for April 29, 2026. New acquisitions include Avata 2 indoor drones, a Matrice 4 for extended search operations, and a tethered drone for the mobile command vehicle.

Minor Items

• Betty Reed Soskin proclamation: The board honored the trailblazing National Park Service ranger who joined at age 85, served at Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park, was recognized by President Obama in 2015, and passed away on Dec. 21, 2025, at age 104. Her family was present.

• National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week recognized alongside the Soskin proclamation during special presentations.

• Consent calendar approved 7-0, including a state advocacy update. Public commenter Scott Bartelbaugh of the Bicycle Trails Council requested that Pleasanton Ridge Trails and Oyster Bay Bike Skills Area be added to Proposition 4 state advocacy funding requests.

• Steam train lease impasse: Ellen Thompson, owner of Redwood Valley Railway Company, told the board that a 7.5-year lease renewal standoff threatens the 74-year-old steam train operation at Tilden Park, alleging staff abandoned a working draft lease and shifted to a license framework that would prevent capital improvements. "We've been trying to renew our lease with the district for seven and a half years. A good working draft was created seven and a half years ago," she said. No board action was taken.

• Community grant equity challenge: Nicholas Collins, founder of 510hikers, a nonprofit connecting underserved communities to nature for over a decade, questioned why his organization was not selected for the district's $300,000 community engagement grant pilot. Korten committed to exploring deeper partnerships beyond the grant program.

• Wildcat Canyon flow trail criticism: Steve Lauts of Friends of Wildcat Canyon and Sprawl Def criticized the process behind the flow trail proposal, citing private staff consultations with bicycle advocates from 2021–2023 revealed through public records requests, including a $1 million offer from private donors contingent on EIR approval.

• Housing tax concerns: William Huff, AFSCME Local 2428 president and firefighter, raised concerns about tax changes affecting employees in the district's security residence program, where workers are now taxed on the gap between fair market value and their reduced rent.

• SkyWest Golf Course advocacy: Mary Clements, a Hayward resident, urged the district to consider the 126-acre former SkyWest Golf Course — now open space with rich wildlife — in future plans.

• Armed Forces Day: Joanne Sakai of Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans thanked the board for supporting the annual memorial event, including waiving $736 in fees and commissioning a new memorial plaque.