[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 75th 
Anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District, headquartered in 
Oakland, California. The story of the EBRPD is an inspirational one in 
which citizens, during the toughest of economic times, had a mission. 
In the late 1920s, thousands of acres of surplus watershed land were 
available for development. Far-sighted civic leaders sought to preserve 
this land and retain a balance of recreational and wilderness features.
  With 65 parks, over 1,100 miles of trails, campgrounds, visitor 
centers, historic sites, lakes and shorelines, the mission of the East 
Bay Regional Park District is to provide recreational opportunities, 
ensure the natural beauty and cultural history of the land, and protect 
wildlife habitat.
  In 1934, during the depths of the Great Depression, members of a 
grassroots land preservation movement placed a measure on the ballot. 
It passed by a resounding 71% and the first regional park agency in the 
nation, the East Bay Regional Park District, was created.
  At the outset, the Park District included only seven Alameda County 
communities and no parks. By 1936, it was able to purchase enough land 
to create three parks. The first three parks were opened with great 
fanfare on October 18, 1936. The opening of Redwood Regional Park in 
1939 soon followed.
  In the 1940s, Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II halted the 
District's growth. Much of Tilden Regional Park was turned over to the 
U.S. Army Defense Command. At the end of the war, the District began an 
era of prudent growth as people returned to the parks seeking family 
recreation. Concessions such as Tilden Regional Park's steam train, 
carousel, and pony ride were added. This growth continued into the 
1950s with Roberts Regional Park's swimming pool, baseball field, and 
picnic areas.
  Between 1968 and 1987, the District added 32 new regional parks and 
preserved 43,000 acres of the East Bay's most scenic parkland. During 
the period 1988-2008, the District added 15 new regional parks and an 
additional 34,000 acres of open space. There were increased volunteer 
opportunities and expanded communication tools, such as the District's 
website. District staff also built and opened Camp Arroyo, a state-of-
the art environmental education and youth camp.
  The Park District describes itself as a work in progress as it 
struggles to acquire and operate regional parks and trails to serve the 
Bay Area population. Regardless of future challenges and opportunities, 
the East Bay Regional Park District is committed to providing East Bay 
residents with recreational opportunities and open space reserves close 
to home.
  I join the community in celebrating the East Bay Regional Park's 75th 
Anniversary and send best wishes for many more successful years of 
service.

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