How Concord contributes to EBRPD’s goals, plus a special tour of Thurgood Marshall park
CONCORD, CA (Mar. 19, 2025) — Participating in Tuesday night meetings three times a month is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the work of an engaged member of the Concord City Council.
Each councilmember serves on at least two subcommittees specific to Concord. Some councilmembers also serve on regional bodies.
One of the external bodies on which I have served since 2019 is the East Bay Regional Park District Park Advisory Committee (EBRPD PAC). I am the Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference appointee to the EBRPD PAC, which means that I represent the cities of Contra Costa County on that body.
The EBRPD PAC provides community perspectives and advice to staff and the EBRPD elected board on the issues, projects and policies of the park district. The PAC focuses on the following at our monthly meetings:
- Providing community perspectives on the park district’s Second Century District Plan.
- Expanding understanding of the East Bay’s biodiversity and the role the park district serves in protecting natural and cultural resources.
- Maintaining an understanding of and engagement on the park district’s active capital projects and programs.
- Maintaining an understanding of the park district’s funding programs.
- Providing community oversight of the park district’s local funding measures and initiatives.
- Providing guidance and recommendations on park district policies and practices.
- More information is available at www.ebparks.org/calendar/public-meetings/park-advisory.
I decided to take on this additional role and even chair the EBRPD PAC for two years because I am a park lover and wanted to be deeply involved with the development of the new Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 here in Concord. For those who aren’t familiar, the park is a 2,500-acre site that was formerly part of the Concord Naval Weapons Station and became an East Bay Regional Park in 2019. It is divided into two sections north and south of Bailey Road.
Although the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 is not yet open to the public, I wanted to give the community a sneak peek at this gem in our midst. East Bay Regional Park District board director John Mercurio, with whom I served on the Concord Planning Commission, graciously agreed, and so we will be co-hosting a “Walk and Talk” 10 a.m.-noon April 12, with a tour by supervising naturalist Piu Loft. Please RSVP by April 5 at govaffairs@ebparks.org.
Contact Mayor Obringer at carlyn.obringer@cityofconcord.org