Apply to lifeguard for park district, or maybe hunt for gold

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 19, 2022) — The East Bay Regional Park District is looking to hire 50 lifeguards for the summer swim season.

The district operates 10 swim areas, including lakes, lagoons and pools. The lifeguard jobs are full-time seasonal, May-September. Anyone who is 16 or older before April 23 can apply. Starting pay is $20.17 per hour.

The application includes a swim test. Remaining testing dates are March 19-20 at Mills College in Oakland and March 26-27 at Granada High School in Livermore.

Applicants will be asked to swim 550 yards in less than 10 minutes, carry a rescue board 50 feet, retrieve three dive rings under 4-7 feet of water, tread water for two minutes using only their legs and retrieve a 10-pound brick from under water. There’s also a short informal interview.

Participants who past the tests will be invited to the park district’s lifeguard academy beginning April 23, where they receive paid training. The academy runs for five consecutive weekends in April and May.

For more information and application information, go to bit.ly/2022EBRPDLifeguard.

Spring into nature

Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda is hosting a spring-themed Family Nature Fun event 1:30-2:30 p.m. March 19-20.

It’s an opportunity for all ages to find out what’s new at Crown Beach and enjoy some nature-themed activities. Then at 3 p.m. both days, visitors can watch the staff feed the fish at the center’s aquarium.

The visitor center is at the end of McKay Avenue off Central Avenue. This is a free, drop-in program; no registration is required. For information, call 510-544-3187.

Looking for gold

There may still be time to register for the Gold Rush Adventure at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, organized by naturalist Ashley Adams.

The backstory is that a Wild West bandit has hidden “gold” throughout the park, and Adams will provide clues to the locations.

Show up for the rush with your team between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 19 to discover hidden stories about Black Diamond’s past and win prizes.

Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. The program is free of charge, but registration is required. For registration and information, call 888-327-2757, option 2.

Down on the farm

The sheep are due for their annual shearing at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont.

You can watch the process, then try wool carding and watch the spinning wheel in action 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 19. Visitors can also make a wooly lamb to take home.

There are lots of other activities at Ardenwood, which is a restoration of a 19th century estate once home to the Patterson family. Early risers will enjoy a free bird-watching walk with naturalist Christina Garcia, scheduled for 8-9:30 a.m. March 20.

Ardenwood is at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., just north of Highway 84. For information on programs and admission fees, call 510-544-2797.

Hiking Wildcat Peak

An ascent of Wildcat Peak is on the agenda for 9-11 a.m. March 20 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley, led by naturalist Trail Gail Broesder.

The group will watch for wildlife and experience panoramic views of the Bay and San Francisco from the summit. Wear hiking shoes; bring water and snacks.

This is a free program and registration is not required. Meet Broesder at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center at the north end of Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.

Bee informed

Bees and other pollinators are the focus of a short walk for those 5 and older, 10-11 a.m. March 20 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.

Naturalist Maeron Yeshiwas will talk about how we can help animals that pollinate, after which the group can taste the fruits of the labor.

The walk is free of charge, and registration is not necessary. Parental participation is required, and masks are needed as well.

Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220.

This is just a partial list. For full information on park district programs, visit www.ebparks.org.

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