Awards and Recognition
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 - 1989
Since its founding in 1934, the East Bay Regional Park District has led the charge in creating and fostering a forward-looking agency. We are constantly evaluating and adapting to changing landscapes to protect our parklands and to stay relevant to the communities we serve. We are committed to excellence and accountability within our agency and to collaboration across agencies, community organizations, and businesses to leverage our collective resources and knowledge for the greatest impact.
Over the years, the Park District has been recognized by peers, credentialing authorities and accrediting organizations for our leadership in financial management, public safety service, land preservation, land use planning, innovation in programming, community services, and communications.
We are especially proud to have received repeated awards and recognition for the following:
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Winner from 2005 to 2020 for our comprehensive budget documents that meet program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device.
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from 2000 to 2020 for our comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure
- Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): Law Enforcement Accreditation in 2010 and Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation in 2013. Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation With Excellence in 2016 and 2020. The accreditation recognizes our Police Department for excellence in public safety services, professional law enforcement, and management.
Recently, the District was awarded:
- Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLP): District Transparency Certificate of Excellence
- California Municipal Treasurers Association (CMTA): Investment Policy Certification (EBRPD’s investment policy complies with current State statutes governing investment practices of local government entities.)
- East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA): East Bay Innovation Awards - 2018 Legacy Award
Below are awards and recognition that our Park District, Board of Directors, and staff received over the years.
2021
- United Nations Association USA, East Bay and Silicon Valley Chapters, Global Citizen Award: Contributions to public health during COVID-19 pandemic. Alignment with UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
- Government Technology (GT), Special Districts National Awards: Technology Innovation - Operations. Using technology to enhance internal operations and to increase engagement with general public.
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovation: Digital Learning
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI),
• Master Interpretive Manager Award: Supervising Naturalist Kevin Damstra
• Outstanding Senior/Retired Interpreter Award: Naturalist Linda Yemoto - National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO), Excellence in Park and Recreation Facility Award: Three Regional Shoreline projects to increase public access, mitigate sea level rise, and restore habitat - Judge John Sutter, Albany Beach-SF Bay Trail, and Bay Point
- American Planning Association Northern California (APA), Hard-won Victory Award of Excellence: Concord Hills Regional Park* Land Use Plan. Team: EBRPD and PlaceWorks. (*Park' s new name - Thurgood Marshall Regional Park - Home of Port Chicago 50)
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Design - Park Planning: Three Regional Shoreline Projects - Judge John Sutter, Albany Beach-SF Bay Trail, and Bay Point
• Award of Excellence in Marketing & Communications - Digital Media-Web/Social Media: #LoveEBRPD Campaign
• Award of Excellence in Marketing & Communications - Marketing Campaign: COVID-19 Communications Campaign - Audubon International (AI), Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary: Redwood Canyon Golf Course
2020
- North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS), Frank Cabot Public Rock Garden Award: Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Regional Park
- Public Lands Alliance (PLA), Outstanding Public Engagement Award: EBRPD 85th Anniversary & Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary (Video)
- California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) Award - Outstanding Marketing and Promotional: EBRPD 85th Anniversary and Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Awards of Distinction for:
• Outstanding Community Outreach Campaign: EBRPD 85th Anniversary and Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary
• Outstanding Community Organization/Partner: Regional Parks Foundation
• Outstanding General Manager: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - American Planning Association Northern California (APA)
• Innovation in Green Community Planning, Award of Merit: Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline, Team: EBRPD and Caltrans
• Planning Pioneer: Award of Excellence: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation: EBRPD Police Department
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Outdoor Exhibit Award, 3rd Place: Parks to People - Mobile Visitor Center
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- California Special District Alliance (CSDA), William Hollingsworth Award of Excellence: Director Doug Siden
- Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce (PCC), Green Business Community Service Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- Alameda Chamber of Commerce (ACC), Business Excellence Award: Robert W. Crown Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium
2019
- California Association of Recreation & Park Districts (CARPD), Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovative Program: Park Rx and Stay Healthy in Nature Every Day (SHINE) Programs
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
• Interpretive Media Award - Book Category, Second Place: Native Peoples of the East Bay: Past to Present
• Outstanding New Interpreter: Naturalist Ashley Adams - Save the Bay, Bay Hero Award: Director Whitney Dotson
- Sierra Club, Trailblazer Award: Director John Sutter
- California Special Districts Association (CSDA), General Manager of the Year: General Manager Robert E. Doyle
- Bay Nature Institute (BNI), Local Hero Awards - Conservation Action Award: General Manager Robert E. Doyle
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
2018
- East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA)
East Bay Innovation Awards - 2018 Legacy Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF)
District Transparency Certificate of Excellence: East Bay Regional Park District - California Municipal Treasurers Association (CMTA): Investment Policy Certification: East Bay Regional Park District
- The SHIFT Awards, Public Land Management Innovation Award for Diversity in Public Health Programs that Promote Inclusion, Equity and Empowerment: Healthy Parks Healthy People and Park Rx programs - Trails Challenge, Multicultural Wellness Walks, Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Creating Community - Community Health and Wellness: Park Rx/Stay Healthy In Nature Every day (SHINE) Programs
• Aquatic Section: “Vamos a Aprender” Spanish Language: Water Safety Program
• Special Legislative Advocacy Award: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - The Bay Institute, Environmental Awards - Bay Heroes Award: Director Whitney Dotson
- American Academy for Parks & Recreation Administration (AAPRA)
Cornelius Amory Pugsley Award: General Manager Robert E. Doyle - California Native Plant Society (CNPS), CNPS Fellow Award: Botanic General Manager Bart O'Brien
- Public Safety Aviation Accreditation Commission (PSAAC)
Public Safety Aviation Accreditation: Air Support Unit, East Bay Regional Park District - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Bay Area Green Business Program (BAGBP)
Bay Area Green Business Standards Certificate: East Bay Regional Park District - Gordian and the Harry H. Mellon Award committee (Gordian): Harry H. Mellon Award of Excellence in Job Order Contracting: East Bay Regional Park District
- Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Delta Charter, Friends of Education Award: Big Break Visitor Center
2017
- California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC), Special Events Award: Ivan Dickson Trail Event
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
• Outstanding Senior/Retired Interpreter Award: Chief Naturalist Ron Russo
• Outstanding New Interpreter Award: Naturalist Virginia Delgado (Press Release)
• Interpretive Media Awards - Site Publication Category - Second Place: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve Junior Ranger Booklet - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Creating Community: CO-OP Program
• Award of Excellence in Design - Park Planning: Dotson Family Marsh Restoration and Public Access Project - American Camp Association (ACA), Special Recognition Award: Director Doug Siden
2016
- California Geotechnical Engineering Association: (CalGEO), Outstanding Project Award: George Miller Regional Trail (Cal Engineering & Geology)
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS)
• Award of Excellence in Youth Development: Teen Eco Action
• Champions of the Community Award: Dr. Nooshin Razani (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland) and Dr. Curtis Chan (San Francisco Department of Public Health) - Healthcare partnerships with EBRPD - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation With Excellence: EBRPD Police Department
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Awards of Distinction for:
• Outstanding Board Member: Director John Sutter
• Outstanding Technology, Social Media and Marketing - American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), Cornelius Amory Pugsley Award: Director John Sutter
- Greenbelt Alliance (GA), Champion Award: Director John Sutter
- California Special Districts Association (CSDA), Board Member of the Year: Director Doug Siden
- Assembyman Rob Bonta, 18th Assembly District, 2016 Local Hero Award: Director Doug Siden
- Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center, Leadership Award: Director Doug Siden
- Port Chicago Naval Magazine - Friends of Port Chicago Commemorative Hero’s Award: Chief of Planning/GIS Brian Holt
- GM Robert Doyle invited to attend White House Water Summit hosted by President Obama administration on March 22 in conjunction with the UN World Water Day.
- Alameda Magazine
• Best Place to Teach Your Kid to Ride a Bike: Crown Memorial State Beach
• Alameda Magazine, Best Place to Take the Kids: Crab Cove Visitor Center
2015
- San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP)
Outstanding Environmental Project: Breuner Marsh Restoration and Public Access Project - National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
• Master Interpretive Manager Award: Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager Ira Bletz
• Award of Distinction: Supervising Naturalist Kevin Damstra - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - American Planning Association Northern California (APA)
Comprehensive Plan Award: 2013 Master Plan - California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO)
Communications Campaign Award: 80 Years of Connecting Parks to People - California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC)
Road-to-Trail Conversion Award: Pleasanton Ridge and George Miller Regional Trail - Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board (CCCWDB)
Champion of Youth Advocacy Award: EBRPD Youth Job Opportunities - International Right of Way Association (IRWA): Chapter 2, Employer of the Year Award
- East Bay Express:
• Best Dog Park with a View: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
• Best Park: Tilden Regional Park
• Best BART-Accessible Hike: Briones Regional Park
• Best Free Bird Tour by the Beach: Crab Cove Visitor Center
• Best Place to Hike: Redwood Regional Park
• Best Place to Bring your Leftover Celery: Little Farm at Tilden Nature Area - Macaroni Kid: Best Place for Outdoor Fun, Ardenwood Historic Farm
2014
- California Special Districts Association (CSDA), Exceptional Public Outreach: Directors Carol Severin and Ted Radke
- Eugene O’Neill Foundation (EOF), Partnership Award: East Bay Regional Park District
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS), Award of Excellence in Creating Community - Community Health & Wellness: Healthy Parks Healthy People Festival
- California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC), Outstanding Trail Event Award: Ivan Dickson Multicultural Trail Maintenance Day
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Jim Meredith Award of Excellence: Director Carol Severin
- Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP), Distinguished Service Award: Director Carol Severin
- Macaroni Kid, Best Place for Outdoor Fun: Ardenwood Historic Farm
- Parents’ Press, Best local farms: The Little Farm at Tilden Regional Park and Ardenwood Historic Farm. Best nature day camps, Park’n It (Gold).
- East Bay Express:
• Best Hike in the Sun: Stonewall-Panoramic Trail in the Claremont Canyon Regional Reserve
• Best Recreational Area: Roberts Regional Recreation Area
• Best Place to Camp with a Bunch of Friends: Anthony Chabot Regional Park
• Best Place to Walk Your Dog: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park
• Best Place to Picnic: Tilden Regional Park
2013
- Ramsar International Convention on Wetlands
San Francisco Bay/Estuary, Wetland Site of International Importance - San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP), Outstanding Environmental Awards: Big Break Visitor Center, and the Tidewater Service Area Outreach Project. Press Release
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD)
• Award of Distinction for Outstanding New Facility: Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta
• Award of Distinction for Outstanding Newspaper Coverage: Ethnic Media Outreach 2010-2012 - Northern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA-NCA)
Project of the Year Award: Alamo Canal Trail Under-crossing - YMCA of the East Bay (YMCA-EB), Celebrating the Difference Volunteers Make to Our Partner Organizations Award: Students Tikal Ramirez and Zachary Su, EBRPD Recreation Department; and Board President Rand Swenson and Past President Jay Gilson, Regional Parks Foundation
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): Advanced Law Enforcement Reaccreditation: EBRPD Police Department
- American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), 2013 Research, Planning, Analysis and Communication Merit Award: Breuner Marsh Restoration and Public Access Project
- American Trails International (ATI), Hulet Hornbeck Lifetime Achievement Award: General Manager Pat O’Brien
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS), Professional and Service Awards: Director Carol Severin
- Trails and Greenways Conference, Merit Award - Kids and Trails: Kids Healthy Outdoor Challenge
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Outstanding Senior/Retired Interpreter Award: Naturalist Alan Kaplan
- Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS), Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award: Supervising Naturalist Traci Parent (retired), for the book Rose Hill: A Comprehensive History of a Pioneer Cemetery
- Audubon International (AI), Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary: Tilden Regional Park Golf Course
- California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO), Award of Merit in Graphic Design: 2012 Trails Challenge Graphics
- AVA Digital Awards (AVA), Gold Award, Video for the Web: Get Active!; Honorable Mention, Landing Page, Get Active!
- California Park Rangers Association (CPRA), Lifesaving Award: Officer William Deleon-Granados
2012
- League of Women Voters (LWV), Making Democracy Work Award - Street Level Health Project: Director John Sutter
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
2012 Master Frontline Interpreter Award: Supervising Naturalist Mike Moran - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District - Green Building Initiative, 3 Green Globe Rating: Big Break Visitor Center, Big Break Regional Shoreline
- Youth Enrichment Strategies of Richmond, Outstanding Community Partner Award: EBRPD Recreation Department
- California Park & Recreation Society District III (CPRS), Agency Showcase Award: EBRPD Mobile Parks Unit
- Alameda County Fair: 1st Place Best of Class, 1st Place Special Effects and Creativity
- American Planning Association Northern California (APA)
Award of Merit, Best Practices: Wildfire Hazard Reduction and Resource Management - East Bay Express:
• Best Family Bike Ride: Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail
• Best Quickie Workout Hike: Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve
• Best Urban Bird-Watching: Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline
• Best Place to take the Kids and Walk Your Dog: Tilden Park
2011
- California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC), Merit Award
- City of Lafayette and City of Walnut Creek, Contra Costa Council, Outstanding Collaborative Project Award: Acalanes Ridge purchase with Muir Heritage Trust
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - California Parks & Recreation Society District III: (CPRS), Outstanding Partnership Award: "Nature Day Camps" with City of Dublin
- East Bay Express:
- Best Deal for Family Fun: East Bay Regional Park District Annual Pass (Regional Parks Foundation)
- Best Fishing Spot: Lake Chabot
- Best Park: Tilden Regional Park
2010
- International Public Management Association (IPMA), Outstanding Program Award: EBRPD Internships
- American Planning Association Northern California (APA), National Planning Landmark Award: EBRPD 75th Anniversary
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Law Enforcement Accreditation: EBRPD Police Department - California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC): Outstanding Trail Volunteer Program: Ivan Dickson Trail Maintenance Program
2009
- Alameda County Special Districts Association (ACSDA): Chapter of the Year
- John Muir Association (JMA): Outstanding Public Agency
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: East Bay Regional Park District
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District - Reserve America: America's Top 100 Family Campgrounds
- Oakland Magazine, Best Hike: Skyline Gate - Redwood Regional Park
- California Parks & Recreation Society District III (CPRS): Partnership Awards
- California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC), Lifetime Professional Achievement Award: Robert E. Doyle
- California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), Best Innovative Program
2008
- California Trails & Greenways Conference (CTGC)
- Program Award: Trails Challenge
- Project Award: Brushy Peak Regional Preserve Trail
- Website Award: EBRPD website - Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District
2007-1989
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District (2007)
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District (2006)
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: East Bay Regional Park District (2005) - National Association for Interpretation (NAI): Master Frontline Interpreter Award, Naturalist Linda Yemoto (2005)
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI): NAI Fellow Award, Chief Naturalist Ron Russo (1989)
