Dogs once again allowed off leash in certain areas of East Bay parks

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY—The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has launched “Be a Pup Pro,” an informational campaign about rules change for dog owners.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district had been asking dog owners to keep pets on leash at all times while visiting the regional parks. However, as of Oct. 2, the district reverted to the normal rules that require dogs to be on leash in picnic areas and other developed park sites.

Dogs are also supposed to be leashed on paved inter-park trails such as the Iron Horse Regional Trail in central Contra Costa and the Alameda Creek Regional Trail in Fremont.

Some areas don’t allow dogs at all, including swim beaches and the Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. But generally speaking, it’s OK to have dogs off leash away from developed areas – as long as they are under an owner’s control. This means the dog will come when called.

Dogs should be back on leash when grazing cattle are nearby. They should also be leashed if they start chasing wildlife or have uninvited interaction with other park visitors.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Richmond allows dogs off leash throughout the park, as long as they are under their owners’ control.

A recent park district survey showed that dog walking is the preferred activity among 39 percent of the respondents, second only to hiking.

Tips to “Be a Pup Pro”

Bag then bin your dog’s waste. Please don’t just bag it and leave it on the trail.

Leash your pup in designated areas such as parking lots, trailheads and wildlife protection areas.

Leash up around cattle and horses.

“Being out in nature with our dogs is a huge benefit, for us and for them,” says Mary Barnsdale, a board member of Point Isabel Dog Owners. “It’s on us to keep the parks clean, respect wildlife and be sensitive to the needs of other park users.”

For more information, visit ebparks.org/PupPro.

Closure updates

As of this writing, a number of regional parks remain closed or limited in service because of fire-related issues. Round Valley, Morgan Territory, Sunol and Ohlone Wilderness are all still closed. Mission Peak reopened in mid-September. However, the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, which heads east from the summit of Mission Peak, is still closed.

The better news is that boat launching and fishing by boat are now available at Del Valle Regional Park, Quarry Lakes and Lake Chabot. Visitors can rent boats at Del Valle and Lake Chabot.

The family campgrounds are available with reduced capacity at Del Valle and Anthony Chabot, and the Sibley backpack camp is open. Del Valle is also open to day use on the lake’s east side only.

Any park situation can change rapidly if more fires break out. For the most up-to-date information, visit ebparks.org and check at the top of the page for “COVID-19 & Wildfire-Related Closures.”

Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.