East Bay park district volunteers, staff collect several awards

East Bay Regional Park District staff and volunteers have received a variety of awards lately, all in recognition of the district’s work in serving the public.

Two major awards were received in 2021. One was the Excellence in Parks and Recreation Facility Award, which was conferred by the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials. It cites three of the district’s regional shoreline projects designed to increase public access, mitigate sea level rise and restore habitat. The projects were completed in 2020 at Judge John Sutter Shoreline in Oakland, the San Francisco Bay Trail at Albany Beach and Bay Point in East Contra Costa County.

Another honor in 2021 was the Global Citizen Award from the United Nations Association USA’s East Bay and Silicon Valley chapters. It commended the district for keeping parks running and opening three shoreline parks during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also recognized the district’s contributions to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as keeping parks running during the pandemic while opening the three new shoreline venues.

More honors have accumulated so far this year. Three Awards of Distinction have been conferred by the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD).

Director Ayn Wieskamp, who has served on the park district board for 24 years, received a well-deserved designation of Outstanding Board Member for her lifetime of service in environmental conservation and preservation of parks for perpetuity with access for all. Ayn also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals.

Carl La Rue and I are flattered to have been named Outstanding Volunteers. We have served for a combined total of 37 years on the district’s Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol, whose members work in the regional parks on foot, bicycle and horseback, reporting on trail conditions and assisting park visitors.

CARPD designated Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay in Fremont as an Outstanding New Facility, the district’s first full-service shoreline campground. The campground also received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Parks and Recreation from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials.

And the district has received an Award of Excellence in Innovation in Green Community Planning from the American Planning Association Northern California. The award is for work on the San Francisco Bay Trail.

Bart O’Brien, manager of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park, received the prestigious Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticultural Society. It recognizes his four decades of leadership in promoting California native plant horticulture and conserving biodiversity, and his extensive research and publication in scientific and scholarly journals.

The California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS) District 3 has given two awards to the park district this year. One award recognizes the park district’s dedication to policies promoting Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI). It cited numerous programs that the district has carried out promoting and practicing JEDI principles, including staff training and the naming of Thurgood Marshall Regional Park, home of the Port Chicago 50.

CPRS also presented an Outstanding Park Award to Dumbarton Quarry Campground. Two individuals were honored by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Region 9.

One is Ira Bletz, the district’s regional interpretive and recreation services manager. He received the Master Interpretive Manager Award. Ira has served as a nature educator and interpretive services manager at the district for many years. Among other assignments, he is the former supervisor of Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont.

And Ed Valenzuela was recognized by the NAI as an Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer. Ed is an enthusiastic volunteer at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, where he helps with school programs and acts as a greeter in the visitor center.

Last but not least, the district’s San Francisco Bay Trail Risk Assessment and Adaptation Prioritization Plan received a Merit Award for Planning from California Trails & Greenways.

The park district board, staff and volunteers all greatly appreciate the honors conferred by these organizations. The district plans to continue its work to improve and enhance the regional parks and the great variety of programs and facilities they offer.

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