[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF 
                             REGIONAL PARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, my East Bay California colleagues Mr. George 
Miller, Mrs. Ellen Tauscher, and Ms. Barbara Lee, join with me to 
recognize the 70th anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District 
(EBRPD), headquartered in Oakland, California. The Park District spans 
Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and encompasses 1,745 square miles on 
the eastern side of San Francisco.
  In 1934, a unique ``regional park'' concept, unheard of at the time, 
was presented to the voters on a November ballot measure. A vote for 
the proposed new Park District meant an increased five-cent tax on 
every $100 worth of property. Even in the economic hardships of the 
Great Depression, where a nickel still went a long way, citizens 
approved the initiative by a 2\1/2\ to 1 margin and the Park District 
was created.
  The East Bay Regional Park District opened its first three parks in 
1936, which included present-day Tilden Regional Park, Sibley Volcanic 
Preserve and Lake Temescal. Redwood Park was added to the list of parks 
a few years later.
  In the intervening years, the Park District grew from seven cities--
Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont and San 
Leandro--to encompass all of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
  Today, the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest local park 
agency in the United States. It encompasses over 95,000 acres of 
parkland in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties for outdoor recreation, 
wildlife habitat, and nature education.
  The Park District's vision is to ``preserve a priceless heritage of 
natural and cultural resources, open space, parks and trails for the 
future and will set aside park areas for enjoyment and healthful 
recreation for generations to come. EBRDP states ``an environmental 
ethic guides us in all that we do.''
  The Park District's core mission is to ``acquire, develop, manage, 
and maintain a high quality, diverse system of interconnected parklands 
which balances public usage and education programs with protection and 
preservation of our natural and cultural resources.''
  The vision and mission of the East Bay Regional Parks continues to be 
achieved with commitment and efficiency. For 70 years, the East Bay 
Regional Parks has been dedicated to preserving open space and offering 
enjoyable and healthy recreation opportunities for local residents.
  We join in honoring the individuals whose vision created an 
unprecedented Regional Park System and the individuals who continue to 
ensure the East Bay Regional Park District's success.

                          ____________________