Regional Park Coronavirus-related closures

It’s unfortunate but necessary: in an effort to prevent overcrowding and assure the safety of both visitors and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, East Bay Regional Park District has announced some additional park closures and parking restrictions, starting on March 27 and lasting through at least April 30, 2020.

The problem is that with few other recreational and stress-relieving options, there has been serious overcrowding at many of the more popular regional parklands and trailheads. This can increase the spread of infection

“We are all in this together,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “We want to help everyone during this crisis by keeping parks open, but safety of the public and our employees is our top priority. If parks are too crowded, please help us keep people safe by going home.”

The District had already closed all visitor centers, picnic areas, restrooms, water fountains, swim areas, playgrounds, campgrounds, group and backcountry campsites, sports fields, kiosks, and reservable facilities.

Major new developments as of March 27

• The parking lot at the upper end of Somersville Road at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch is closed (parking is still available just past the kiosk at Sidney Flat). No mine tours and the visitor centers are closed.
• Contra Loma Recreation Area in Antioch is closed (though trails are open from Frederickson Lane).
• Castle Rock Recreation Area in Walnut Creek is closed.
• Diablo Foothills in Walnut Creek has limited parking for trail access.
• The main parking area at Pt. Isabel in Richmond is closed. There’s walk-in access only.
• The Redwood Road gate is closed at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland. Other accesses are still available.
• The main park at Roberts Regional Recreation Area in Oakland is closed. There’s walk-in access only.
• Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton is closed.
• The Old Tunnel Road entrance to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Oakland is closed. All other access points are open.
• Sunol Regional Wilderness is closed.
• Del Valle Regional Park main gate and area are closed from Mendenhall Road on, but the Arroyo Staging Area is open with trail access. Visitors are asked to turn around at Badger Cove.
• The Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley is closed. So is the Steam Train.

In addition: The Park District is requesting all dogs be leashed everywhere in the regional parks and on trails to avoid interaction with other park users.

The full list of closures and restrictions can be accessed at the park district website. Go to www.ebparks.org; click on “COVID-19 Information & Updates” under  “Notices” on the right side of the home page. I’d advise checking at the website for updates before visiting any regional park.

Some parks still open

Despite the closures, there are still many regional park trails open to the public, especially the inter-park regional trails such as the Iron Horse, Contra Costa Canal, Alameda Creek, and San Francisco Bay Trail.

These amenities are all seeing heavy use, especially the regional trails. So it’s up to all of us to take the health department mandated precautions, so we can avoid additional restrictions and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Please remember to maintain a six-foot distance from other trail users. Only immediate households should be together – no picnicking, groups, gatherings or meetups at trailheads. Pack out all your trash, including dog waste. There will be no trash collection during the COVID-19 crisis. And since all drinking fountains are turned off and all toilets locked, bring your own water, and use the toilet before leaving home. Also, please bring hand sanitizer with you while visiting the parks for use before and after opening gates or interaction with high-touch surfaces.

This emergency will require maximum effort and cooperation from all of us. Avoid crowded parking lots. Park District rangers, police and firefighters are on the front lines. So please go along with the rules and follow any instructions from district staff, especially during emergencies. They will be more than grateful for your cooperation. With all of us working together, we can defeat the coronavirus.

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