COVID-19 Closures | News | Interactive Map | Safety Rules | FAQ | Videos | Restrooms | TC 2021
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Throughout the recent months, regional parks have experienced full, or partial, closures due to COVID-19. While many parks have reopened, some park and facility closures remain in effect. For a comprehensive list of park/facility closures, see below.
The pandemic has shown us very clearly that we need parks – now more than ever – as parks and open space are essential for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. County health officers have affirmed that spending time in parks is beneficial for health, disease prevention, and mental stress relief. (see video in this section and below).
Current state and local “Shelter-in-Place” orders allow for “outdoor recreation activities” as an “essential activity” as long as park visitors wear face masks and keep the 6-foot social distance.
How EBRPD is keeping parks open and safe during pandemic - Aug. 11, 2020, 23m:00s
We are doing everything we can, under the circumstances, to keep parks open and safe as well as educating visitors to please keep the 6-foot distance, wear face masks, and bring trash home. Do not leave trash or dog waste bags on trail.
We need YOUR help! Please keep parks safe for everyone by following all COVID-19 safety requirements. Thank you!
COVID-19 CLOSURES
EBRPD Headquarters at Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland and ALL Visitor Centers in the regional parks are CLOSED during the pandemic. All water fountains (except bottle fillers), reservable picnic areas, swim facilities/areas, all campsites, and reservable facilities are CLOSED at parks.
Alameda Creek Regional Trail - OPEN
Anthony Chabot Regional Park - OPEN
Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Ardenwood Historic Farm - CLOSED
Bay Point Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Big Break Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space - OPEN
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve - OPEN
Briones Regional Park - OPEN
Brushy Peak Regional Preserve - OPEN
Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve - OPEN
Contra Loma Regional Park - OPEN
Coyote Hills Regional Park - OPEN
Crockett Hills Regional Park - OPEN
Crown Beach Memorial State Beach - OPEN
Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Del Valle Regional Park - OPEN
Diablo Foothills Regional Park - OPEN
Don Castro Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve - OPEN
Five Canyons Regional Open Space Preserve - OPEN
Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks - OPEN
Hayward Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve - OPEN
Iron Horse Regional Trail - OPEN
Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline - OPEN
» Watch virtual video dedication
Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail - OPEN
Lake Chabot Regional Park - OPEN
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness - OPEN
Leona Canyon Open Space Regional Preserve - OPEN
Little Hills Picnic Ranch - OPEN Seasonally
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline - OPEN
McLaughlin Eastshore State Park - OPEN
Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Mission Peak Regional Preserve - OPEN
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve - OPEN
Ohlone Wilderness Regional Preserve - OPEN
Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park - OPEN
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline - OPEN
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park - OPEN
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach - OPEN
Roberts Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Round Valley Regional Preserve - OPEN
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve - OPEN
Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve - OPEN
Sunol Regional Wilderness - OPEN
Sycamore Valley Regional Open Space Preserve - OPEN
Temescal Regional Recreation Area - OPEN
Tilden Regional Park - OPEN
Tilden - Regional Parks Botanic Garden - CLOSED
Tilden Nature Area - OPEN
Vargas Plateau Regional Park - OPEN
Waterbird Regional Preserve - OPEN
Wildcat Canyon Regional Park - OPEN
SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES IN PARKS
For your safety and ours during COVID-19 Pandemic
HELP US KEEP THE REGIONAL PARKS SAFE BY COOPERATING with the statewide Shelter-In-Place order and park rules. Please do the following to protect yourselves, other park visitors, and park staff during COVID-19 pandemic:
BEFORE HEADING OUT TO THE PARKS
WHILE AT THE PARKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: With COVID-19 being a public health emergency, why are parks still open?
A: One of the biggest challenges during this unprecedented pandemic is the requirement of isolating ourselves at home. The Park District confers daily with Alameda and Contra Costa County Health Departments, and they have specifically asked us to keep Regional Parks and trails open as long as park users can responsibly practice social distancing and not gather, congregate, (only established social bubbles of 12 or fewer are allowed), etc. Parks are a respite for health and healing, and we are keeping many parks open despite major staffing limitations. During the COVID-19 health emergency, some facilities and parks may be temporarily closed. See full list above.
Q2: How can the public help keep parks open?
A: The Regional Parks have been very busy during the COVID-19 pandemic and Shelter-In-Place order as people are looking to get outdoors for exercise and stress relief. We are proud that the Regional Parks are well-loved and seen as essential to health and wellness. However, we need YOUR HELP to keep parks open, safe, and clean!!
WAYS YOU CAN HELP include:
Q3. Why do I need to wear a face mask in parks and on trails?
A: The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings /masks in public settings where social distancing of 6 feet is difficult to maintain. The face mask can protect the wearer from becoming infected. It can also prevent transmission by the wearer who may have the virus but don’t know they have it.
The face masks don’t need to be medical grade. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings will work. They should cover your nose and mouth; fit snugly but comfortably; be secured with ties or ear loops. They should include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing, and can be laundered, and machine dried without damage or shrinkage. A bandanna folded into several layers is adequate.
Wearing a face mask does not replace social-distancing measures. Keep a distance of six feet from other park users; No gatherings/meetup groups (only established social bubbles of 12 or fewer).
Q4: Why are some water fountains closed?A: Most water fountains remain closed, except bottle fillers, to stem the spread of virus for the safety of the public and staff.
Q5: How do I maintain social distance on narrow trails?
A: All trail users, please cooperate by stepping aside, with 6 feet of space, to let each other pass.
Wear a face mask on trails to protect yourself and others from the virus. See Q3.
On narrow or crowded trails, walk single file and consider backtracking to a wider area to allow other trail users to pass safely. Runners and cyclists who "more forcefully expel airborne particles" please take extra steps to avoid exposing others. Wear a face mask and slow down to maintain 6-foot social distancing.
Q6: How do I maintain social distance at staging areas and parking lots?
A: At busy parking lots and staging areas, visitors may need to take turns getting out of cars to maintain the 6-foot distance. This includes waiting and stepping aside when entering trails and parkland areas at busy or crowded entry points. Wear face masks to protect yourselves and others.
VIDEOS
Parks Are Essential - Enjoy them Safely - Jan. 7, 2021, 1m:00s NEW
County Health Officers: Public Service Announcements
Dr. Erica Pan, MD: Alameda County Visiting Parks During COVID-19 - May 21, 2020, 0m:30s
Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna, MD: (English) Contra Costa County Visiting Parks During COVID-19 - May 21, 2020, 0m:30s
Dr. Aaron Chapman, MD: Mental Health Visiting Parks During COVID-19 - May 21, 2020, 0m:30s
Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna, MD: (Spanish) Contra Costa County Visiting Parks During COVID-19 - May 21, 2020, 0m:30s
COVID-19 Safety Requirements in Parks
Visitor Information: COVID-19 - Apr. 9, 2020, 0m:30s
Carry Out ALL Trash - Mar. 26, 2020, 0m:15s
NO Picnicking, NO Groups - Mar. 26, 2020, 0m:15s
6-foot Distancing - Mar. 26, 2020, 0m:15s
OpenRoad with Doug McConnell - NBC Bay Area
NBC Bay Area: How EBRPD is Keeping Parks Open and Safe During the Pandemic - Aug. 11, 2020, 23m:00s
NBC Bay Area: Wellness & Access for All in Regional Parks - Jul. 2, 2019, 6m:25s