So This Happened…
Weekly news review June 21-27

As residents await the county’s Monday decision on the reopening timeline, here’s something more optimistic to look forward to: The East Bay Regional Park District is moving ahead with the creation of the new Concord Hills Regional Park.

The 2,216-acre park, on the site of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, will be developed in partnership with the National Park Service. The plan calls for hiking and riding trails, picnic sites and a visitor center.

In the meantime, parks columnist Ned MacKay offers five hikes East Bay residents can enjoy now.

The pandemic has brought changes to just about everything, as illustrated by these other local stories the Pioneer covered recently:

Reimagined business model

Although Concord resident Valli Hilaire had to shutter her new Walnut Creek shop, Write That Down, she isn’t letting the coronavirus curb her enthusiasm. She says moving the business online has been “a learning and experimentation process.” Read the full story.

 

Evolving family dynamics

With the shelter-in-place orders, many fathers are taking on bigger roles around the house. “Without the boys off to school for the day meant that we had to balance work demands, home demands and child demands,” says Concord dad Richard Ellenson. Read the full story.

 

Budgetary balance

Given the steep fall in tax revenue, the Concord City Council approved a leaner 2020-’21 city budget. “The city was already facing significant financial challenges, and these challenges have increased substantially,” notes budget officer Donna Lee. Read the full story.

Here’s some other local news worth a look

Check out our past weekly news summaries

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