Regional in Nature
Activity Guide
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022
• A Cool Tip to Enjoying Parks .....3
• Ardenwood Harvest Season ......6
• Vasco Caves Tours ..............8
• Spooky Season/Terrifying Trends ..10
• Tarantula Season is Upon Us .....11
• California Tiger Salamanders .....12
• Meet a Tarantula Interp. Program .. 14
• Arachnid Word Find ...........15
Thurgood Marshall Regional Park Update
See page 4
It's Calving Season, page 3
EBRPD Board of Directors
Elizabeth Echols .........................Ward 1
Dee Rosario ................................ Ward 2
Dennis Waespi ...........................Ward 3
Ellen Corbett .............................. Ward 4
Ayn Wieskamp ........................... Ward 5
Beverly Lane ...............................Ward 6
Colin Coey (President) .......... Ward 7
Contents
General Manager Message ... 3
Park News ............................. 4
Wildre Protection ............. 5
Ardenwood ........................... 6
Big Break ................................ 7
Black Diamond ..................... 8
Coyote Hills .......................... 9
Crab Cove ........................... 10
Del Valle ............................... 11
Mobile Education ............... 12
Outdoor Recreation ......... 13
Sunol ..................................... 14
Tilden .................................... 15
Volunteer Program ............ 16
Visit ebparks.org for map
downloads, activity and event
information, and much more!
ebparks.org
General Information
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757
Camping and Picnic Reservations ...
................................1-888-EBPARKS
Naturalist and Recreation
Programs ..............1-888-EBPARKS
TRS Relay Service ....................7-1-1
Kennedy Grove
to Wildcat Tr.
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ALAMEDA COUNTY
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
ALAMEDA COUNTY
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
ALAMEDA COUNTY
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Pinole
Sobrante
Ridge
Radke
Martinez
Crockett
Hills
Las
Trampas
Sibley
Claremont
Canyon
Brooks
Island
Point
Isabel
Miller/Knox
Carquinez
Strait Shoreline
Briones
Castle
Rock
Diablo
Foothills
Tilden
Botanic
Garden
Wildcat
Canyon
Kennedy
Grove
Temescal
Bay Point
Shoreline
McLaughlin
Eastshore
State Park
Quarry
Lakes
Dry Creek/
Pioneer
Little
Hills
Cull
Canyon
Lake
Chabot
Anthony
Chabot
Leona
Canyon
Reinhardt
Redwood
Huckleberry
Roberts
Hayward
Shoreline
Oyster
Bay
Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Crown Beach
Garin
Dublin
Hills
Don
Castro
Five
Canyons
Sunol
Mission
Peak
Coyote
Hills
Ardenwood
Historic Farm
Pleasanton
Ridge
Shadow
Cliffs
Del
Valle
Ohlone
Wilderness
Camp Ohlone
Camp
Arroyo
Bishop
Ranch
Black
Diamond
Mines
Contra
Loma
Round
Valley
Morgan
Territory
Delta
Access
Sycamore
Valley
Vasco
Caves
Brushy
Peak
Byron
Vernal
Pools
Clayton
Ranch
Browns
Island
Antioch/
Oakley
Shoreline
Big Break
Doolan
Canyon
Vargas
Plateau
Rancho
Pinole
Deer
Valley
Waterbird
Dumbarton Quarry
Campground on the Bay
Alameda
Point
Judge John Sutter
Shoreline
Point
Molate
Thurgood
Marshall
Vasco
Hills
Bay Trail
San PabloBay
Shoreline
Mt. Diablo
State Park
Carnegie State
Vehicular
Rec Area
SF Bay National
Wildlife Refuge
USA
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SAN
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UNION
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FREMONT
CASTRO VALLEY
HAYWARD
PLEASANTON
SAN
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EL
CERRITO
ORINDA
LAFAYETTE
ALAMO
WALNUT
CREEK
MORAGA
DANVILLE
RICHMOND
BERKELEY
OAKLAND
EMERYVILLE
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CLAYTON
DUBLIN
EL SOBRANTE
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BAY
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PINOLE
OAKLEY
BRENTWOOD
BYRON
KNIGHTSEN
LIVERMORE
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ANTIOCH
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Bay
Suisun
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San
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Bay
Honker
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Sacramento River
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EBRPD
Headquarters
Tidewater
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Regional Parklands
Parklands Under Development
Regional Shoreline Water Boundary
Other Open Space
EBRPD Visitor Center
Regional Trails
202107
miles
10
0 5
East Bay Regional Park District Headquarters
2950 PERALTA OAKS COURT, OAKLAND, CA 94605
1-888-EBPARKS OR 1-888-327-2757 (T RS 711)
EBPARKS.ORG
Regional Parks Membership
- , ,
, . --
.
Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont
510-544-2797, [email protected]
Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley
Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta
510-544-3050, bigbreakvisit@ebparks.org
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch
510-544-2750, [email protected]
Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
510-544-3220, ch[email protected]
Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda
Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium
510-544-3187, ccove@ebparks.org
Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore
510-544-3146, [email protected]g
Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, Hayward
510-544-3220 (Coyote Hills), chvis[email protected]
Red Barn open summer Saturdays
Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol
510-544-3249, [email protected]
Open weekends
Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Botanic Garden: 510-544-3169, bgarden@ebparks.org
Tilden Nature Area/Environmental Education Center
510-544-2233, tnarea@ebparks.org
Visitor Centers
PLEASE STAY VIGILANT
Addressing Wildre Risks
A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH
D
ue to climate
change and
extreme drought,
wildre risks have
never been higher
in the East Bay.
Wildre protection
is now a 365-days-
a-year eort for the
Park District.
The Park District is also addressing other
climate-related challenges that threaten public
safety, habitat quality, and recreational access
in Regional Parks, including shoreline erosion
and ooding from sea level rise, and water
quality. Climate change is already reducing
beach areas, marshland habitat, and access to
open water swimming.
Wildre risks continue to be our most pressing
climate change challenge and remains one of the
Park District’s top priorities. Our year-round
eorts include monitoring re dangers and
weather, maintaining 55 professionally trained
full-time and on-call reghters, maintaining
specialized wildland reghting equipment,
and removing ammable vegetation to reduce
wildre risks.
Wildre safety is especially important in the
late fall when the heat of summer has dried out
vegetation, and hot, dry Diablo winds come in
from the east, creating potentially dangerous
re conditions.
Please be re safe when visiting your Regional
Parks and be aware of re danger warnings.
For more information, visit ebparks.org/
FireRestrictions (or see page 5).
August to October is calving season in Regional Parks.
Be mindful that human interaction can create danger
to both calves and people. Here are some tips to
keep calves and people safe.
• Admire calves from a distance. Do not approach,
touch, or take seles with calves.
• Do not get between a mother cow and its calf.
• Do not worry if you see a calf by itself. The mother
cow is usually nearby and will return.
• Leash up your dog around cattle and keep it away
from any calves.
If you believe a calf is in distress, injured, or sick,
please report it to park sta at (510) 881-1833.
It may be no surprise that one of the most
serene and peaceful times to visit Regional
Parks is on weekday mornings when crowds are
small and parking is plentiful. However, there is
one even better option.
According to park rangers, visiting on cool or
foggy days is the secret to enjoying quiet time
in nature. When it is cool, parks are typically
empty and can be even more enjoyable for
certain park activities, as long as visitors are
prepared with layered clothing. Cooler weather
allows hikers and bikers to cool o by removing
layers of clothing, which is especially nice during
and after challenging uphill rides and hikes.
While warm weather is known for being a great
time to visit a park, cool and foggy weather can
sometimes provide an even better experience.
The next time you see the temperatures dip
or overcast skies, instead of bundling up inside,
head to your Regional Parks for some quality
quiet time in nature.
Shelly Lewis
Katie Wong
It’s Calving Season
Do Not Touch or Approach Baby Calves
A Cool Tip to Enjoying Parks
3
Round Valley Regional Preserve,
Brentwood
From shoreline to parkland, the East Bay Regional Park
District is rich with natural beauty. However, the Park
District also contains a rich cultural history. Here are just
three of the Park District’s historic properties.
Patterson House at Ardenwood Historic Farm was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
in 1985, the same year the Park District began operating
the property as a fully functioning, turn-of-the-last-century
farm. Home to three generations of the Patterson family,
it began as George Patterson's bachelor farmhouse in
1857. The house was expanded with a Queen Anne
addition in 1889. Today, costumed docents conduct house
tours in keeping with the family’s nineteenth-century era.
Black Diamond Mines, the site of
California's largest coal mining operation, is
another NRHP-listed property. Nearly four
million tons of coal ("black diamonds") were
removed from the 1860s through the turn
of the last century. Despite its signicant
impact on California's economy, coal mining
operations ceased due to rising production
costs and the exploitation
of new energy sources. In the 1920s, mining
for sand began at the Hazel-Atlas silica sand
mine near the deserted coal mining towns
of Nortonville and Somersville. More than
1.8 million tons of sand were mined before mining ended in 1949. Today, tours of the Hazel-
Atlas Mine and a new Coal Mine Experience exhibit provide an immersive experience, giving
visitors a taste of the park’s coal and sand mining eras.
Alvarado Park, located at the northern
end of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, was
included in the NRHP in 1992 due to its
unique history and depression-era Work
Projects Administration (WPA) stonework.
Alvarado Park (formerly Grand Canyon
Park) was privately owned until 1923 when
it was purchased by the city of Richmond.
The stone masonry seen today was
constructed during Richmond’s ownership
through various Depression-era work
programs. The park was transferred to the
Park District in 1985 and is considered a
unique variation on the National Park Service-style of “rustic park architecture.” Some
remnants of its former buildings remain as extensive stonework, including stone walls,
stone light standards, and a beautiful stone arch bridge across Wildcat Creek.
Historic Sites in the Park District
Thurgood Marshall
Regional Park Update
Cali Godley
Yoichi Okamota, National Archivea and Records Administration
In April 2022, the East Bay Regional Park District ocially
received ownership of 2,216 acres of the former Concord
Naval Weapons Station, which is part of the planned
Thurgood Marshall Regional
Park – Home of the Port
Chicago 50. The Park District
previously held constructive
possession of the property,
allowing access for naturalist-led
public access programs. The land
transfer represents the largest
ever public conveyance through
the National Park Service.
Thurgood Marshall Regional Park
is also set to receive $3 million
from the 2022-2023 California
state budget thanks to the
leadership of Assembly Member
Tim Grayson for construction of the park’s rst public access,
a new staging area o south Bailey Road in Concord. The Park
District plans to open the new staging area in 2024.
Park News
Thurgood Marshall
4
Wildre Protection
Fire Safety in the Parks
Fire Dangers are especially high in late fall as vegetation dries out
and Diablo winds come in from the east. Being mindful of re dangers,
warnings, and rules, and reporting res immediately are the best way
visitors can help prevent major wildres.
EVERYDAY FIRE DANGER RULES
P :
“High-Moderate-Low” Fire Danger Rules
• Smoking is prohibited in all Regional Parks, including pipes, cigars, cigarettes, and vaping
devices (except for any USDA-approved medication).
• Gasoline-powered generators are prohibited.
• Gas or propane camp stoves and portable barbecues are permissible, WITH THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
– They must be placed in an area that won’t scorch or burn lawns or tabletops.
– They must be placed with at least 30 feet from any ammable material such as grass,
weeds, brush, or buildings.
• Do not drive or park your vehicle in areas of dry grass. A hot auto exhaust manifold can start
a re, and dragging tow chains can throw sparks that can start a re.
• If you see smoke or a re, call 9-1-1. Report its size, direction of burn, and whether any
structures or park visitors are in danger. Then leave the area immediately.
• During an emergency, cooperate with any instructions from park rangers, police, reghters,
and other District sta, and do not block access for re engines and emergency personnel.
SPECIAL FIRE SAFETY RULES
S :
“Very High” Fire Danger Rules
• Barbecues and campres are permitted in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds,
or developed recreational areas ONLY.
• Gas-fueled camp stoves are permitted, WITH CONDITIONS (see above).
“Extreme” Fire Danger Rules
• NO open res, campres, or barbecues of any type are allowed. ONLY gas-fueled stoves
are permitted, WITH CONDITIONS (see above).
PARK CLOSURES
In extremely dry and windy weather conditions or when resources are limited,
access to Regional Parks may be restricted or even closed entirely. Do not
enter closed parks. In an emergency, police and reghters may be unable
to nd and evacuate you.
For up-to-date information on re dangers and park status, visit
ebparks.org/alerts-closures, or call (510) 881-1833.
5
Michael Short
Michael Short
Michael Short
Ardenwood
HISTORIC FARM
RAIL FAIR
Get your train x!
Your entire family
will enjoy train rides,
model railroads, historic
railroad displays,
farmyard activities, and
more. There will be live
music all three days.
This is a fundraiser for
the nonprot Railroad
Museum at Ardenwood.
Sept. 3-5 (Sat–Mon),
10am-4pm
Tickets: $12/adults,
$10/seniors, $9/children
ages 4-17, ages 3 and
under free.
BERRY PICKING
Summer’s succulent
blackberries are ready
for picking! Bring your
own berry basket and
gather a bunch to take
home for pies, cobblers
and other summertime
treats. Meet at the barn.
Christina Garcia
Sep t . 11 (Sun),
10:30-11:30am
HARVEST TRADITIONS
Why is fall associated
with certain foods,
spices, and decorations?
Come learn about where
these traditions come
from and the importance
of seasonal foods. You’ll
even make your own
harvest decorations
using farm inspirations.
Jenni Shaw
Sep t . 11 (Sun), 1:30-
2:30pm
Sept. 24 (Sun),
11a m - n oon
APPLE CIDER PRESSING
Help squeeze out
the juice with our
old-fashioned apple
press and discover
why this was once the
most popular drink in
America. Afterwards,
taste a sample of this fall
favorite.
Christina Garcia
Sept. 18 and 25 (Sun),
1:30-2:30pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Enjoy old-time country
fun as you help bring in
this year’s corn crop.
Search the eld for ears
of int corn or popcorn
taking home a portion of
what you harvest. Enjoy
seasonal activities, cider
pressing, old-time music,
and historic crafts. Please
bring bags to take home
your harvested corn.
Oct. 8-9 (Sat and Sun),
10am-4pm
Fee: $10/adult, $8/senior
(62+), $6/child (4-17 yrs.)
and free/under 4 years.
PUMPKIN PATCH
Dig Deep Farms has
been hard at work all
year preparing and
cultivating the soil on
Ardenwood's farmland
and will be hosting the
annual Pumpkin Patch
Festival again! There will
be thousands of home-
grown pumpkins for sale,
as well as food, crafts,
and games for the whole
family.
Oct 8-30 (every Sat and
Sun), 10am-4pm
Fee: $2 (12+ yrs.),
$1/child (under 12 yrs.)
As sta reects on community
this fall, we acknowledge many
helping hands. In addition
to our dedicated volunteers
and docents – who support
programs, help maintain and
operate farm equipment,
keep our gardens looking
their best, and more – we
also work closely with many
organizations, including:
City of Fremont: House
Manager Rena Kiehn and her
dedicated sta and volunteers
operate the Patterson House
at Ardenwood. Check out
their house tours every
Thursday, Friday, and Sunday in
September and October – or
their specialty Saturday tours
as listed online.
Dig Deep Farms: Part of
the Alameda County Deputy
Sheri’s Oce program,
Dig Deep leases some of
Ardenwood’s elds for their
food justice programs. They
also host an annual pumpkin
patch.
Palmdale Estates: A
family company with heart,
Palmdale hosts private events
at Ardenwood, and runs the
Farmyard Café, which is open
11am-4pm every weekend day
in September and October.
S.P.C.R.R.: The Society for
the Preservation of Carter
Railroad Resources operates
the narrow-gauge train at
Ardenwood. Share your love
of trains and support
S.P.C.R.R. by attending the
annual Rail Fair – see the
Interpretive Programs listing
for more information.
Ardenwood Interpretive Programs
F
all brings strong connections
to foods and friends. Since time
immemorial, fall acorn harvests have
brought Indigenous people together.
Agricultural harvest traditions began
4000 years ago in Mesopotamia, when
communities gathered to celebrate the
literal fruits of their labor.
Harvest is more than just a celebration;
communities work together to
preserve food for winter storage.
Fruits like apples get pressed into
cider to last through the cold months.
Dried grains like corn last for years to
come. Spices are gathered and used
to enhance the avors of stored food.
Even decorations from wheat, corn,
and other crops provide a feeling of
warmth in the home.
Join us here at Ardenwood throughout
the harvest season to experience and
learn more about
fall on a farm.
For a complete list of Ardenwood programs, please visit us online
. . . . .
Harvest Season
O C
6
Big Break Interpretive Programs
For a complete list of Big Break programs, please visit us online
. . . . . .
RAPTOR BASELINE
Mount Diablo hosts a
magnicent array of birds
of prey: hawks, falcons,
eagles. Help us document
their variety and numbers
in this fun, social citizen
science research project.
No experience necessary
– we'll teach you how to
identify these birds. Meet
at a dierent park on the
last Thursday of each
month. Join in one or all.
Sept. 29, 9 -11: 30a m
Oct. 27, 9 -11: 30 am
Drop-in, no registration
required
BIG BREAK CAMPFIRE
Gather the family for an
evening in the park! Bring
a picnic dinner to enjoy
before the festivities
begin! We'll explore the
wonders of Big Break
through activities and a
campre (and S'mores
of course!) September:
Nocturnal Animals.
Misti Marsh
Sept. 8, 6:30-8pm
Drop-in, no
registration
required
DUNE RESTORATION
Help restore a small
piece of the dunes as we
battle invasive weeds and
re-establish native plants!
Bring water, work gloves,
hat, dress for the weather
and prepare for general
grubbiness.
Misti Marsh
Oct. 22, 9am
Drop-in, no registration
required
KAYAKING BIG BREAK
Come ply the welcoming
and wondrous waters
of the Delta on this
beginner (and up) kayak
excursion. We'll start o
with dry land instruction
then paddle our steady
and stable craft on a
group exploration of this
lovely, rich shoreline.
Misti Marsh and
Wyatt Moore
Registration required.
Fee required.
Visit website for more
details.
WEEKEND PROGRAMS
Join Big Break
Interpretive Sta to
learn about why the
Delta is important to
all Californians and
discover what you
can do to help
the Delta.
Every
Saturday and
Sunday
Drop-in, no
registration
required
Visit website for
more details.
Big Break
REGIONAL SHORELINE
The Best Kept Secret in the Delta
A Day at Big Break ... Mad Libs Style
B
link, and you’ll miss the quiet town of Oakley, where you
can nd a gem in the Delta, Big Break Visitor Center. It
boasts engaging exhibits highlighting the California
Delta as a valuable resource for all Californians.
The Visitor Center uses replicas to model
how the wetland habitat is a home for
plants, animals, and people. Explore
multisensory exhibits, watch sh swim in
the tank, sketch a critter, crawl through a
tunnel, discover the Delta’s First People,
and so much more. Don’t just take our
word for it... Come in to experience it all for
yourself. We hope to see you soon!
Visit the park in person to create your own memories
and stories to share.
Yesterday, ___________________ and I went to Big Break Visitor Center. On our way
to the park, we saw a ___________________ sitting on a light post. When we arrived
at Big Break we saw a ___________________ in the grass. We walked into the visitor
center and saw ___________________ ___________________ plankton swimming with
the help of a microscope. There was a _______________________ river otter in the
tunnel. Then we ___________________ to the pier. When we ___________________
by the pond we saw ___________________ turtles ___________________ in the
sun. At the pier we saw a ___________________ swoop into the water to catch a
___________________. Big Break is a ___________________place.
PERSON
ANIMAL WINGS
REPTILE
VERB ENDING IN "ING"
NUMBER
NUMBER
ANIMAL
ANIMAL
ADJECTIVE
ADJECTIVE
ADJECTIVE
PAST TENSE VERB PAST TENSE VERB
7
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Black Diamond Mines
REGIONAL PRESERVE
As you probably know by now – Black Diamond is hot,
and it is dry. Most of us just avoid the park all summer
long. If we are lucky, we start to have cooler days
here and there in September and October.
Last year we even had torrential rain.
This year – who knows?
Male tarantulas wait for the cooler fall evenings
to emerge from their underground homes and
patrol the park.
Turkey vultures soar along the roads and the
hillsides to see if some poor creature has given
up the ghost.
Some of the oak trees are bearing acorns, and all the
animals who appreciate those nutritious nuts are getting busy with
their harvest.
A few of the plants have chosen this unlikely time of year to ower.
Baby snakes are emerging from their eggs to get their rst taste
of free life on earth at a tricky time of the year.
Fall is a great time to come out to Black Diamond to take
in the view of the golden hills or to join a park naturalist for
a guided exploration.
F T
T V:
Fall at Black Diamond and Martinez
Surprising Signs
of the Season
OAK BIRDS
Jays, woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches.
All of these birds are up for an acorn,
or maybe a thousand, this time of year.
Visit with them here at Black Diamond!
Sep t . 11 (Sun.), 9-10am
Black Diamond Mines
TARWEED
Miraculous – richly scented tarweed
blooms amidst crispy-dry grass, in hard,
cracked soil, under the blazing sun.
Uniquely tough, justly wondered at and
admired – come and learn with us!
Sept. 4 (Sun.), 9-10:30am
Black Diamond Mines
TURKEY VULTURES
Enigmatic. Silent. Social. These
companions of our outdoor experience
are deeply worthy of appreciation.
Come nd out why on a stroll through
the marshes of Martinez.
Sept. 18 (S u n .), 9 -11a m
Martinez
TARANTULA TALES
What is that giant spider? It seems to
have come out of nowhere. This is
an ancient arachnid unlike the spiders
we see year-round. Learn what makes
them special.
Oct. 30 (Sun.), 5-7:30pm
Black Diamond Mines
Registration required.
Black Diamond and Martinez Interpretive Programs
https://apm.
activecommunities.
com/ebparks/
activity_search
VASCO CAVES TOURS
The wild and windswept land now
known as Vasco Caves is sacred to
local California Indian communities
and a refuge for golden eagles, fairy
shrimp, and tiger salamanders. The
preserve is accessible only through
guided tours. For the rst time
since 2020, public tours of the
preserve will begin in September.
Please check online to make
reservations and see availability:
ebparks.org/parks/vasco-caves
For a complete list
of programs, please
visit us online
. . . . . .
Jerry Ting
Jerry Ting
8
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Coyote Hills
REGIONAL PARK
W
ant to learn more about apples? Join us for our annual Apple
Festival on Saturday, September 10, from 11:30am-3:30pm at our
neighboring Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park in Hayward. We
will celebrate the local farming history and tour an antique apple orchard
with varieties of apples you won’t nd anywhere else. Come out and try
your hand at making ice cream, play old-fashioned games, create crafts,
and join Bob the Blacksmith for a live demonstration. You couldn’t “pick”
a better festival.
ETHNOBOTANY GARDEN EXPLORATION
Go on a leisurely walk through our
ethnobotany garden to discover native plants
and how they are used for food, medicine,
and tools by Ohlone Peoples. Roll up your
sleeves to create your own potted plant
to take home.
Sept. 18 and 25 (S u n .), 10 -11a m
GATHERING OF OHLONE PEOPLES
Ohlone Peoples knowledge of natural
resources and land management skills enabled
them to thrive as the First Peoples since time
immemorial and who are still here today. In
this virtual presentation, several tribes will
share their culture, history, traditions, and
discuss current involvements.
Oct. 2 (Sun.), 10am-11:30pm
BATS!
Learn about our native bat
species and how these creatures
of the night thrive. Compare
our native bats to those found
around the world and then
make your own bat craft.
Oct. 23 and 30 (Sun.),
10 -11: 30 am
Apples are from a deciduous tree,
meaning they shed their leaves annually
and then grow anew every year. The
fruits generally mature in late summer
to fall, then the trees go dormant
in the winter. While apples are not
native to North America, they are now
cultivated worldwide and are signicant
in dierent cultures, traditions, and
stories. With thousands of varieties
ranging from more tart avors like the
Granny Smith apples to sweeter avors
like Fuji and Red Delicious apples, we
use these fruits to make many delicious
foods and beverages. With a host of
health benets, it’s easy to see why this
fruit is so popular.
Did you know there is an Apple
Orchard at Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer
Regional Park?
The East Bay Regional Park District
acquired this land in 1974. It began
as a project from Richmond tree
surgeon Emil Linquist – looking for a
home for his backyard grafted trees
and ultimately wanting to establish an
orchard with various apples. In 1985
more than 150 of Linquist’s trees were
initially planted at Garin, about 200
eventually, stretching over 3 acres of
172 known varieties.
It’s Apple Season!
Garin Apple Festival
Coyote Hills Interpretive Programs
For a complete list of Coyote Hills programs, please visit us online
. . . . . .
Pallid bat
Allan Mendez
Allan Mendez
Shelly Lewis
9
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Crab Cove
VISITOR CENTER AND AQUARIUM
T
he Spooky Season has begun, with thrills
and chills on land and sea...all throughout
the East Bay Regional Parks you will nd Mother
Nature's spooky decorations.
In September and October, you may notice large,
perfectly built spider webs – the quintessential
Halloween backdrop. Perhaps you’ve also done a
few double takes when spotting the intimidating
owners of these terric webs – thumb-sized
spiders, silently waiting for their next meal.
Indeed, the orb weavers are out! Over 30 species
of these wonderfully spooky spiders are present
year-round in the Bay Area, but most aren’t
noticeable until the fall season. These eight-
legged neighbors are nally mature enough to
reproduce, so they are looking for mates and
trying to pack on the pounds before laying
eggs and dying.
Up in the hills of Black Diamond Mines and Sunol,
another arachnid is adding to the
Halloween décor. Larger than
an average human palm and very
hairy, tarantulas can denitely
cause a fright. But don’t panic:
even though these giant creepy-
crawlies are wandering the trails
at twilight, they too are just
looking for spider love.
Meanwhile, in the dark and damp undergrowth
of Wildcat Canyon and Tilden’s forests, an eerie
glow can be spotted at night. They’re
Jack-o'-lanterns, not spirits, but
denitely ghostly. These pumpkin-orange
mushrooms are bioluminescent (and
toxic, so don’t pick them). Although
scientists are still debating the purpose
of their gleam, it denitely adds to the
season’s spookiness...
Shifting our gaze out to the
coastal waters of the Pacic
Ocean, remember that it’s
Sharktober – the white
sharks are returning to the
Red Triangle, the area
between Bodega
Bay, Point Sur,
and
the
Farallon
Islands.
This is a time of
heightened encounters
between humans and
sharks. These fearsome
predators are not actually
out to get us. Unfortunately,
from below, surfboards look
dangerously similar to their favorite
meals of seals and sea lions...
Spiders and sharks may keep us up at night, but
the scariest of the scary this season is actually
us – or rather, our plastic trash. Our rogue
disposable masks, straws, and cigarette butts
have been accumulating and waiting for the rst
rains to carry them from streets, through creeks
and sewage systems, to the waters of the San
Francisco Bay. This marine debris, or ocean trash,
is truly terrifying: it torments wildlife through
entanglement and ingestion, and it’s coming for us
too... Plastics do not decompose but instead break
down into miniscule pieces that we ingest through
the food that we eat, the water that we drink, and
the air that we breathe.
Luckily, we can stop this terrifying trend. To learn
about all things marine debris, join us on
the spookiest weekend
of the year: we will
celebrate
Halloween, catch the
Ocean Trash Monsters,
and protect the creatures
of Crab Cove while having
some spooky fun.
“Crab Cove Creatures and
the Ocean Trash Monsters” is oered
October 29 (Sat.) and October 30 (Sun.),
10am-4pm. Drop-in
program. For more
information, check out
this QR code
. . . . .
Ron_n_Beths Pics_Creative Commons
Stonebird_Creative Commons
Terry Goss_Creative Commons
Crab Cove Interpretive Programs
For a complete list of Crab Cove programs, please visit us online
. . . . . .
Spooky Season and Terrifying Trends
10
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Around the end of September,
Jupiter will be brighter than any
other time of the year and will
be visible all night long.
Ridges through the smoke. Check
airnow.gov for the latest air
quality readings.
Red-tailed hawks are
especially prevalent
during the fall.
Del Valle Interpretive Programs
For a complete list of Del Valle programs, please visit us online
. .
Del Valle
REGIONAL PARK
B. Witzke
SPOOKY NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT
Stop by the visitor center to
pick up a scavenger hunt to
search for creepy critters and
eerie landscapes nearby. Tell us
about your adventure and get a
treat. Costumes encouraged!
Oct. 30 (Sun.), 9:30am-3pm
A
s we head into
spooky season,
we wonder if the
weather strikes you as
strange or standard? The
beginning of fall in the
East Bay can include days
that top 100 degrees,
chilly evenings, lots of
wind, still days, and
sometimes even random
rain showers (well, at
least we can hope). This
time of year can also
be very dry, with high
re danger and poor air
quality.
Here are a few
suggestions on how to
enjoy the season while
also being safe:
• Check air quality
before heading out.
If it’s favorable, come
on a naturalist-guided
program like our
Beginner Birding Walk
to spot fall migrants.
• Stay cool and explore
in the evenings.
Enjoy the dark skies
with some stargazing
on your own or join us
for an evening walk to
spot a tarantula.
• What are current
re restrictions?
Know before you go to
plan ahead for sharing
spooky stories around
the wood burning or
propane re.
Spooky, Strange, or Standard?
Tarantula Season
is Upon Us!
Want to See a
Tarantula in Person?
Stop by the Del Valle Visitor
Center – located on the
west side of the park –
during weekend hours.
Once tarantulas are out
and about, we will have one
on display throughout their
migration season. You can
also visit the park on your
own (email DVvisit@ebparks.
org if you want location
recommendations) or come
to a naturalist program to
search for tarantulas on an
evening walk.
FALL BEGINNER BIRDING WALKS
Fall is such an interesting time to
look at birds in the park – you'll
see summer migrating birds leaving, and the winter
birds arriving! Join us for one of our beginner birding
walks – no experience necessary! We will have loaner
binoculars available, but feel free to bring your own.
Oct. 9 and 23 (Sun.), 8:30-10am
You may see these amorous arachnids out
searching for a lovely lady to call their own
throughout September and October. Be sure
to keep an eye out while driving too, since they
aren’t always the best at directions you may
spot them crossing roads!
True or False?
Test your spider know-how
with these interesting tidbits:
1) All spiders use webs to catch their prey.
True or false?
2) Both male and female tarantulas are
moving around in the fall. True or false?
3) Tarantula burrow openings are about the
size of a bottle cap. True or false?
4) Tarantulas have 8 eyes that can detect light,
dark, and motion. True or false?
5) Most spiders have 4 legs. True or false?
Answers: 1) False, tarantulas are ground
hunters. 2) False, just the males. 3) True.
4) True. 5) False, they have 8 legs.
Marc Crumpler
Tom Lee
Becky Matsubara
11
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Mobile Education
Cattle pond where many California
tiger salamander larvae live.
O
ne of the endangered species we work
to protect in the parks is the California
Tiger Salamander, or CTS. These large,
charismatic amphibians can
be surprisingly hard
to nd in the
wild, mostly
because of
where
they
live.
The
adults,
about 5
to 8 inches
long from tip
of snout to tip of
tail, spend most of their
lives underground in Botta’s
pocket gopher or California
ground squirrel burrows. In
the East Bay — where seasonal pools are scarce
because of development, mosquito control, and
a warming climate — eggs and larvae develop in
murky cattle ponds.
Unexpected Partnerships
Adult CTS can’t dig their own burrows, so small
mammals who make underground tunnels are
crucial for creating their terrestrial habitat. These
tunnels are cool and humid, providing refuge for
adult CTS in the hot and dry summer and fall
months. Another surprising helper in CTS survival
are the cattle who graze in the parks! Cattle
ponds provide critical breeding habitat,
and grazing is a
big part of the story as well. Grazing signicantly
reduces the volume of annual non-native grasses in
areas where CTS live, which results in lowered re
risk and increased biodiversity.
Circle of Life
CTS adults are mostly terrestrial and go to ponds
only to breed. Once the rain comes in winter,
adults make their way to ponds to mate and lay
eggs. Adults leave the pond soon after to return
to their upland burrows – they do not stay to
protect the eggs. Like most amphibians, CTS go
through a complete metamorphosis, so when
the eggs hatch, larvae bear little resemblance to
the black and yellow-spotted adults. Immature
CTS have a long dorsal n that extends down
their back, frilly external gills on the sides of their
broad head, and are generally yellow-gray in color.
As they grow larger they become one of the top
predators in the pond ecosystem, eating just about
anything that will t in their mouths. After they
mature around late spring or early summer, they
leave the pond to start their
terrestrial lives, usually
not more than a
mile from the
pond they
were born
in (also
known as
their ‘natal
pond’). It
will take
around 2
years, sometimes as long as 4-6 years,
to become sexually mature. Once they’re
ready to breed, they’ll return to their natal pond
to start the cycle again.
CTS and You!
If you ever catch a glimpse of one of these
fantastic beasts in the wild, consider yourself very
lucky! Populations can be found at Black Diamond
Mines, Sunol, Thurgood Marshall, and a number
of other parks. A great time to see CTS on the
move is after dark during winter, when it’s wet
out and adults are traveling to ponds to breed.
Remember that this species is federally endangered,
so it’s illegal to hold or collect any of these animals
without a special permit. Enjoy with your eyes only!
One way you can help preserve these amazing
animals is by not allowing yourself or your pets
to enter any cattle ponds, so that local California
tiger salamander populations can continue to
survive and ourish.
SPOTLIGHT ON:
California Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma californiense)
Wildlife biologist
netting for
California
tiger
salamander
larvae
during a
pond survey.
California tiger
salamander larvae
with gills.
CA Fish and Wildlife Service
12
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Kayakers assemble for the Evening Sunset paddle.
Outdoor Recreation
Boating and Kayaking Programs
BOAT TO BROOKS
Brooks Island
Join us for a relaxed, narrated boat ride
to Brooks Island. Once anchored near the
shoreline, participants will be ferried (by
ski) to the island to enjoy a naturalist-
guided, two-mile hike around this beautiful
preserve. Hot coee, hot chocolate and tea
are provided. Ages 12+yrs.
October 15 (Sat.), 9:30am-3:30m, #45333
October 16 (Sun.), 9:30am-3:30m, #45334
Fee: $72 (non-res. $80) Registration required.
KAYAKING BIG BREAK
Big Break Regional Shoreline
Come ply the welcoming and wondrous
waters of the Delta on this beginner (and up)
kayak excursion. We'll start o with dry land
instruction then paddle our steady and stable
craft on a group exploration of this lovely,
rich shoreline. Adults.
September 20 (Tues.), 10am-12:30pm,
#45340
Fee: $30 (non-res. $34 ) Registration
required.
BIRDING BY KAYAK
Big Break Regional Shoreline
What better way to bird than by kayaking
on the welcoming and wondrous waters
of the Delta? We'll start o with dry land
instruction then paddle our steady and stable
craft on a group exploration of this lush and
lovely shoreline. Adults.
October 18 (Tues.), 9-11:30am, #45342
Fee: $30 (non-res $34) Registration required.
SUNSET PADDLE
Big Break Regional Shoreline
Paddle as the light of the setting sun sparkles
on the waves. After dry-land instruction,
we'll wend our way in our steady and stable
tandem kayaks exploring the calm waters
of Big Break. Kayaks, instruction, and all
associated safety gear provided. Ages 12+yrs.
October 11 (Tues.), 5-7:30pm, #45344
Fee: $30 (non-res $34) Registration is
required.
KAYAKING FOR FOLKS 50+
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline
Learn kayaking skills with your peers at
a pace that is right for you. On land we
will cover paddling techniques, equipment
selection, and boating safety. Then we will
practice what you have learned on the water
by touring San Leandro Bay by kayak. 50+ yrs.
October 7 (Wed.), 10am-2pm, #45352
October 19 (Wed.), 11am-3pm, #45353
Fee: $52 (non-res $58) Registration is
required.
KAYAKING FOR FOLKS 50+
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline
Learn kayaking skills with your peers at
a pace that is right for you. On land we
will cover paddling techniques, equipment
selection, and boating safety. Then we will
practice what you have learned on the water
by touring San Leandro Bay by kayak. 50+ yrs.
October 19 (Wed.), 11am-3pm, #45353
Fee: $52 (non-res $58) Registration is required.
For registration information and a complete list of Outdoor Recreation programs, please
visit us online at ebparks.org/register or call 1-888-327-2757 (1-888-EBPARKS), option 2
E
xpert training on how to use poles for hiking,
walking and outdoor exercise. CAREFULLY read the
descriptions and then select the class that best suits your
physical ability and inclination. A variety of top-quality
poles are provided for your use.
POLE HIKING SKILLS TECHNIQUES
Roberts Recreation Area
Hikers learn strategies for enhancing performance
and condence on the trail. Uphill: Improve power,
endurance, posture, upper body strength and spine
function. Downhill: Develop skills for feeling safer and
preserving joints – Save your knees! Small group, pole
basics training session, easy terrain, all level hikers
welcome.
September 20 (Sat.), 9:30am-12:30pm, #45286
Fee: $45 (non-res $51) Registration required.
POLE WALKING MAINTAINING MOBILITY
Coyote Hills Regional Park
When pole walking,
you’ll feel taller and
experience profound
freedom of movement!
Special session for
people with mobility
challenges. Learn
game changing skills
that address your
issues, reduce fall risk,
improve your balance,
endurance, walking gait, longevity. Easy pace; short
practice, at pole walk, Buttery Garden exploration.
October 20 (Thurs.), 9am-12:30pm, #45287
Fee: $55 (non-res $61) Registration required.
HIKING POLES: SKILLS + PRACTICE HIKE
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
See September 20 listing for class description: This
session includes the same basic poles training PLUS a
practice hike (less than 5 miles). Improve condence,
trail performance, stamina and strength. For HIKERS
able to manage varied, sometimes steep terrain, narrow
trails, uneven stairs.
October 22 (Sat.), 8:30am-2pm, #45288
Fee: $75 (non-res $83) Registration required.
Adult Pole Walking
and Pole Hiking
Outdoor Recreation Programs
AJ Trela
13
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Sunol Wilderness
REGIONAL PRESERVE
It’s Tarantula Time!
A
s the summer season comes to an end and the
weather begins to cool, East Bay tarantulas start to
creep out of their burrows. The lifespan of the desert
tarantula, Aphonopelma iodius, diers dramatically between
male and female. The male tarantula lives anywhere
between seven and ten years, while the female tarantula
can live to around thirty years!
Tarantulas spotted by visitors are most likely male
tarantulas seeking a companion. When the male desert
tarantula senses a female tarantula’s pheromones, the male
lures the female from her burrow by rhythmically tapping
their pedipalps, the front-most legs on the arachnid. These
motions create vibrations above the female tarantula’s
burrow, almost like knocking on a door. “Honey, I'm
home!” When the female emerges, she raises her fangs
and pedipalps, making it dicult for the male to mate. The
male tarantula must be prepared to utilize his tibial spurs
to ward o the female’s fangs. Once the male’s safety is
ensured, the wild frenzy of tarantula mating takes place!
Protect the Gentle Giants!
Although desert tarantulas look eerie to some, these
creatures tend to be slow-moving, “gentle giants”.
Tarantulas are the largest spiders in California and typically
hide in their burrows far away from human contact.
However, as the fall season rolls around, male desert
tarantulas creep out of their burrows to nd a female.
While these arachnids are seeking mates, it is important
for us to help keep them safe on their journey. One way
we can protect these “gentle giants” is by not touching
them. Desert tarantulas are very delicate and touching one
can harm the tarantula’s exoskeleton. Imagine how fragile
you’d be if your bones were on the outside of your body!
Likewise, we can follow the posted speed limit in and
around park roadways to allow
for safe tarantula crossings.
By doing our part, we
can help protect this
fascinating species!
Testing Tarantula Anatomy
Tarantulas are very complicated creatures, with eight hairy legs and pedipalps that help
males awaken the females in their burrows. Females usually have a stockier body than
males and the average tarantula’s size can range from three to four inches. Although a
tarantula only has two main parts, the opisthosoma and prosoma, each leg is comprised
of seven segments.
Test your knowledge of tarantula anatomy. Match the tarantula body part words to the
picture:
This “Gentle Giant” is out
of its burrow exploring Round
Valley Regional Preserve in Brentwood.
Basitarsus
Carapace
Central Apodeme
Chelicera
Claw
Femur
Ocular Tubercle
Opisthosoma
Telotarsus
Tibia
Patella
Pedicel
Pedipalps
Prosoma
Spinnerets
Trochanter
For a complete list of Sunol programs, please visit us online
. . . . . .
MEET A TARANTULA!
Tarantula Trek
October 16 (Sun.), 6:30pm,
registration required
Spooky Sunol Open
House
October 29 (Sat.), 6-8pm,
drop-in
Spooky Creature Feature
October 30 (Sun.), 10am-
2pm, drop-in
Sunol Interpretive Programs
_________
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Marc Crumpler
Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond
14
See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
F
all is a great time to celebrate our eight-
legged friends – Arachnids! Arachnid is a class
of animal that includes spiders, scorpions, mites,
and ticks. Visit the Environmental Education Center
to get up close and personal with a few resident
arachnids or join a program to learn more about
these fascinating creatures.
They may look erce, but these special
arachnids (hard bodied invertebrate that
has two body parts and eight legs) are an
important species in our local redwoods and oak
woodlands. Active at night, western forest scorpions hunt for various insects
and invertebrates that it can easily overpower using its chela, oversized
pedipalps that look like claws. To help subdue their prey, a scorpion will use
their aculeus, its stinger, to deliver venom. Scorpions help our ecosystem by
eating insects and by being food for other animals. Did you know – scorpions
can give live birth? Not really, but a female scorpion will hold her fertile eggs
inside her body till the babies hatch (nymphs). These nymphs then leave her
body making it appear that she has
given birth to live young. This whole
process is called viviparity. The nymphs
will then stay on the mom’s back till
they're ready to leave her protection.
arachnid
cephalothorax
cute
exoskeleton
fangs
legs
silk
spider
spinnerets
pedipalps
spiderlings
Tilden
NATURE AREA
WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY
TOURS
Docent-led tours are currently
being oered every Saturday
at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.
and 2 p.m. Meet at the Visitor
Center. Maximum number of
spots is 10 per tour.
Rain cancels! Free.
2023 DOCENT TRAINING
Sign up for the next docent training
class beginning in January 2023. Space
in this class is limited! Contact us at
BGarden@ebparks.org for information
on docent programs and/or to get on
our preliminary contact list for the 2023
docent training class.
CALIFORNIA INDIAN USES OF
NATIVE PLANTS TOUR
Play the traditional Miwok game of staves,
grind acorns, and even wash your hands
with soap plant root. See Native American
artifacts and the plants used to make them.
Learn about plants that were important
food sources. Family friendly.
November 13 (Sun.), 2-3pm, Free
AUTUMN ARACHNIDS!
Come on a short walk and search for autumn arachnids!
You’ll learn why spiders and scorpions are benecial friends!
Rain cancels. Trent Pearce
October 8, 22 (Sat.) 3-4:30pm.
TILDEN NATURE AREA INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
ebparksonline.org • ebparks.org/parks/tna • Information: (510) 544-2233
Argiope aurantia, the
yellow garden spider,
is a large orb-weaver
that makes vertical
orb-shaped webs.
The burrow of
Calisoga longitarsus,
the largest spider in
Tilden, showing fresh
exuviae (exoskeleton
remains). This tarantula
relative spends most
of its life underground
in its burrow.
This tiny sheet-
web spider
in the genus
Microlinyphia
makes a
horizontal
sheet-like
web between
understory
plants.
W' H R P B G
The Botanic Garden is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., October – May and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June – September.
Special events, classes, docent training, and Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden e-newsletter: nativeplants.org or call (510) 544-3169
Arachnids
Word Find
Western
Forest Scorpion
FALL
PLANT SALE
The Botanic Garden Fall Plant
Sale will take place on Sat
.
, Oc
t
.
1
.
Pu
blic sale hours are 10 a
.
m.
t
o 1:30 p
.
m.
Fr
iends members sale starts at 9 a
.
m.
Fr
iends memberships may be purchased
at the door
.
F
or a plant list
immediately before the sale,
visit: nativeplants.
org
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See ebparks.org/calendar for upcoming programs.
Volunteer
PROGRAM
2950 Peralta Oaks Court
Oakland, CA 94605-0381
ebparks
.org
CALIFORNIA BLACK RAIL HABITAT HELPERS (#45672)
P P R S, R
During this hands-on activity, you’ll create habitat for the
State threatened California black rail. We will remove
non-native plants, pick-up trash, clear debris from
clogged channels to improve tidal water cycling, and
plant wildlife friendly vegetation which restores nesting
habitat for the California black rail. By participating,
you’ll earn your “Black Rail Habitat Helper” patch.
Physical labor is involved with this project.
Parent participation is required.
Sign-up deadline: Sept. 23
October 1 (Sat.); 9:30am to 11:30am ......................... “Doc Quack”, Wildlife Biologist
RAIL RESCUE RANGERS (#45693)
E R B S/C M S B, A
During this hands-on adventure you’ll help create habitat
for the federally and state endangered Ridgway’s Rail.
We will remove non-native plants, pick-up trash, and
plant wildlife friendly vegetation which will restore
the upland areas of the Roemer Bird Sanctuary for
rails. Physical labor is involved with this project. By
participating, you’ll earn your “Rail Rescue Ranger” patch.
All ages welcome and parent participation is required.
Sign-up deadline: Oct. 7
October 15 (Sat.); 9:30am to 11:30am ...................... “Doc Quack”, Wildlife Biologist
California Coastal
Cleanup Day
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
J
oin the East Bay Regional Park District to celebrate
the 38
th
Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day! We are excited to host
shoreline cleanups throughout the Park District and help our shorelines sparkle.
Worried you’ll be busy that Saturday? You can still clean the shore from
your front door as part of our Neighborhood Coastal Cleanup ANY day
in September! Trash from inland areas ows downstream to the coast,
so cleaning up neighborhood trash prevents marine debris.
No matter how you participate, you can earn some Park District volunteer
hours and help with statewide goals for the day! Learn more about how
to participate from our web page: ebparks.org/events/coastal-cleanup-day
R: ebparksonline.org or 1-(888)-327-2757, option 2
I: ebparks.org/about/getinvolved/volunteer/quack or (510) 544-2233
D Q V P
CleanSwell App
Did you know that you can join a global
movement to help keep our beaches clean
and contribute to scientic knowledge?!
The Ocean Conservancy’s CleanSwell
App is an amazing tool that allows you to
let scientists and advocates around the
world tackle ocean trash at a global scale.
Volunteers at the Regional Parks pick up
extraordinary amounts of trash each year.
By tracking what kind of trash is being
found, and where, it allows researchers
and policy makers to better understand
trends in waste products. Tracking
trash on the CleanSwell app updates the
Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash
database. Anytime, anywhere, you can use CleanSwell to see the impact you’ve
had on our waterways and get involved in the ght against litter.
With CleanSwell you can:
• Record everything you collect and share with scientists and policymakers
around the world. You can also share with friends and family!
• Become an ocean advocate with action alerts and helpful blogs in the Action
Center.
• See your overall impact on the ocean with a complete historical record of
your cleanup eorts including weight of trash collected, location (if enabled),
and distance cleared.
Consider downloading CleanSwell today and using it for our upcoming Coastal
Cleanup Day!
EBRPD VOLUNTEER SERVICES
volunteers@ebparks.org | (510) 544-2229
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