Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Body of Lafayette woman struck by vehicle found near Concord airport early Saturday morning

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff

Saturday morning at about 1:14 am, Deputy Sheriffs, along with the California Highway Patrol, were dispatched to a report of a body found at the 5000 block of Marsh Drive in an unincorporated area north of Buchanan Field Airport in Concord.

Upon arrival, Deputies and CHP Officers located a deceased female on the road.

The CHP started the initial investigation due to evidence that the female was struck by a vehicle.

During an area check, a Deputy Sheriff found the suspect vehicle nearby. Based on initial findings and evidence, this incident was later classified as a vehicular homicide and the Office of the Sheriff took over the primary investigation.

The victim is identified as 35-year-old Shelly Stevens of Lafayette.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Bette Boatmun to close out 46 years on CCWD Board of Directors

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Bette Boatmun. From CCWD website.

Concord – During the Contra Costa Water District’s (CCWD’s) Board meeting Wednesday night, Director Bette Boatmun shared publicly that she has decided not to seek re-election for the seat she has represented for over 46 years.

Director Boatmun was appointed to the CCWD Board in July 1974 and has served in that seat representing Division 4 for over 46 years. In her tenure, she has made countless contributions to CCWD, the community and beyond.

“I initially decided to apply for this position in the interest of bringing more women into the water industry and have been honored to represent our community on many important decisions,” said Director Boatmun. “This Board works together constructively and collaboratively and CCWD’s workforce is strong – I know that our community will continue to be well represented and served.”

A trailblazer for women in leadership in the community, water agencies and special districts, Director Boatmun served as President of CCWD from 1990-1992, President of the Association of California Water Agencies from 2002-2004 and Chair of the Contra Costa Special Districts Association.

Under her leadership, CCWD has implemented many significant projects and programs including: building Randall-Bold Water Treatment Plant; fencing the Contra Costa Canal; constructing Los Vaqueros Reservoir; providing a conservation program and demonstration garden; upgrading Bollman Water Treatment Plant; providing a low-income assistance program; building the Multi-Purpose Pipeline; building two new Delta intakes; and expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir, just to name a few.

Director Boatmun always has had an eagle-eye on CCWD’s finances to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency for customers.

“Bette has been a relentless advocate for customers by supporting water education, water use efficiency, financial responsibility and giving back to the community,” said CCWD Board President, Lisa Borba. “We will greatly miss her wit and wisdom at our Board meetings, but we expect that she will check in as a customer from time to time.”

Selection of the new Division 4 Director will be on the November 3, 2020 ballot. Division 4 covers parts of Concord, Pittsburg and Antioch.

 

Air Mail 100 Centennial Flight to stop at Concord’s Buchanan Field Airport

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Commemorating and retracing the 100th Anniversary of the launch of U.S. Transcontinental Air Mail Service

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Concord, CA – Contra Costa County’s Buchanan Field Airport in Concord is expecting an increase in air traffic on September 11, 2020 due to their participation in a historic event. Air Mail 100 Centennial Flight will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Post Office’s Transcontinental Air Mail Service, will make a stop at Buchanan Field on its route to the final destination in San Francisco.

Starting on September 8, 2020, a light airplane will take off from Farmingdale, New York’s Republic Airport to begin a 2,560-mile relay across the United States, to retrace the original air mail route from Long Island to San Francisco. More than a dozen private pilots, flying their own aircraft, will carry sacks filled with commemorative postcards and letters, destined for San Francisco.

Air mail pilot Wild Bill Hopson (colorized). From AirMail100.com

Like the air mail pilots in 1920, the volunteers will exchange mail sacks between planes, each flying one leg of the continent-spanning route. Between September 8th and September 11th, the pilots will land at several airports across the nation to hand-off the mail sacks, ultimately landing at Buchanan Field Airport on the morning of September 11, 2020. From there, the mail will be formally handed over to the Postmaster on Marina Green in San Francisco.

According to the Air Mail 100 website, “On September 8, 1920, a DH-4 biplane lifted off in the early morning from a grass air strip east of New York City on Long Island, beginning a grand experiment to carry mail from the East Coast to the West in a series of hops across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and points west. Regional air mail service had commenced two years earlier linking New York and Washington, D.C. By 1919, 400 HP deHavillands where regularly carrying mail sacks between Omaha and Chicago, but the September flight that now pointed its nose towards the distant Hudson would link an entire continent, but not without financial cost and human sacrifice. Those first pilots called themselves ‘The Suicide Club.’

Air Mail 100 will commemorate that historic event, which led within the decade to the commencement of commercial passenger air service. With the encouragement of several of the nation’s leading general aviation organizations, we have organized a series of volunteer flights linking the sixteen original transfer points, only seven of which continue today as active airports. The other nine have been “lost” to sands of progress, hidden under golf courses, urban shopping centers, hospital parking lots, and poetically, wind-swept grass fields again.”

Airmail routes, January 1, 1926 A 2,680-mile long transcontinental airmail route linking New York with San Francisco was completed in 1920. Initially, mail was flown by day and carried on trains at night. One coast-to-coast trip took about 3 ½ days, which was nearly a day quicker than the all-rail time. Regular service with night flying began in 1924, reducing the trip to about 33 hours. Airmail routes from Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia, and from New Orleans to Pilottown, Louisana, were foreign airmail routes, operated under contract — they expedited mail delivery to foreign-bound steamships. Map from USPS.com. See more air mail maps, here.

The reason for the stop in Concord is because San Francisco’s “Marina Green is no longer available for aircraft operations.”

The San Francisco Marina Green airmail field. Photo from AirMail100.com.

Also, according to the Air Mail 100 website, “The curious thing about the Marina airmail field in San Francisco is it is still there: a long, narrow grassy strip 1,700 feet long. If it were a modern paved runway its ends would be marked by compass headings of 8 and 26, shorthand for 80 and 260 degrees. It lies just two miles east of the Golden Gate Bridge on the shores of San Francisco Bay. A DH-4 mail plane could still land there today, but it would be dangerous, not to mention illegal, yet it was the original Pacific coast terminus of a nearly 2,700-mile route. Ironically, it was also the shortest leg, less than 100 miles. Since Marina Green is no longer available for aircraft operations, in consultation with various area EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) chapters, we will use Buchanan Airport at the city of Concord, CA.”

Airport staff is providing advance notice of this historic event as it may result in an increase in air traffic on or around September 11, 2020.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

MTC seeks public input on toll policies as Martinez-Walnut Creek Express Lane debut nears

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Proposal would extend existing rules for Walnut Creek-San Ramon lanes

SAN FRANCISCO . . . As the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) prepare for the early 2021 start of Express Lane operations on an 11-mile stretch of southbound Interstate 680 from Martinez through Walnut Creek, MTC invites Bay Area residents to learn about and comment on Express Lane toll policies during a public comment period that begins today and will continue through Sept. 9, 2020. (See the 680 Express Lane Fact Sheet)

Commuters and other travelers can learn about MTC’s Express Lanes and toll policies on the MTC website at https://mtc.ca.gov/express-lanes-policies and submit comments by email to expresslanes@bayareametro.gov. The comment period will culminate with a virtual Public Hearing conducted as part of MTC’s September 23 public meeting schedule.

Express Lanes use tolling and technology to keep traffic moving for carpoolers, bus riders, motorcycles and solo drivers alike. When tolling operations begin on the new Martinez-to- Walnut Creek segment of I-680, there will be a continuous 23-mile southbound Express Lane running the length of Contra Costa County. In advance of opening the new Express Lane extension, MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA) affiliate must adopt rules for how tolling will work. BAIFA is proposing to amend its existing Toll Facility Ordinance to set tolling rules for the Martinez-to-Walnut Creek segment that are identical to those already in place for the existing Express Lanes in both directions of I-680 between Walnut Creek and San Ramon:

  • Hours of operation – 5 am to 8 pm;
  • High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) eligibility – two (2) or more persons;
  • Tolls – Eligible HOVs with two or more persons would pay no toll. Solo drivers would pay the full toll. Clean air vehicles (CAVs) would pay a half-price toll. A minimum toll of $0.50 per toll zone would apply;
  • FasTrak® required – All vehicles would be required to use FasTrak®, including vehicles eligible for reduced tolls;
  • Enforcement and Toll Violation Penalties – Toll enforcement would be automated using license plate cameras as on BAIFA’s existing Express Lanes. If a vehicle does not have a FasTrak® account, a violation notice would be issued by the toll system. Toll violation penalties would be set equal to those charged by BATA, currently $25 for the first notice and $70 for the second notice. CHP would enforce vehicle occupancy requirements, illegal crossing of double white lines and other rules.

More information about the southbound I-680 Express Lane from Martinez to Walnut Creek and about the proposed Toll Facility Ordinance Amendment is available on MTC’s website at https://mtc.ca.gov/express-lanes-policies or on MTC’s public hearings page at https://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/events/public-hearings.

The public hearing will take place during BAIFA’s regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at 9:05 a.m. In accordance with Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Newsom on March 17, 2020 and the Guidance for Gatherings issued by the California Department of Public Health, the meeting will be conducted via webcast, teleconference, and Zoom. The meeting webcast, as well as a link and a phone number for participation via Zoom, will be posted on the MTC website at http://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/meetings. Interested members of the public must send in written comments by Sept. 9, 2020 to MTC’s Public Information Office at 375 Beale Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94105 or via email at expresslanes@bayareametro.gov (please include “BAIFA Toll Ordinance” in the subject line) by Sept. 9. Comments also may be left on MTC’s public information phone line at (415) 778-6757 before 5 p.m. on Sept. 9. After receiving comments, BAIFA will consider adoption of the ordinance amendment at its September 23, 2020, meeting.

MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

Former basketball coach and school district employee sentenced for sexual abuse of child under 14

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By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County 

Paul Fielder.

On Wednesday July 29, 2020, Paul Fielder, a 60-year-old resident of Suisun City, California pleaded guilty to charges he sexually abused a minor under the age of 14. As a result of his guilty plea, Fielder was sentenced to 15 years in state prison and lifetime sex offender registration. Fielder was taken into custody on July 11, 2019 and has remained in custody since his arrest. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Bryan Tierney. (See related article)

The charges are a result of an investigation by the Walnut Creek Police Department, in conjunction with the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. On July 11, 2019, Fielder was arrested by Walnut Creek Police Detectives and Federal Agents when he arrived at a location to meet a minor to engage in sex. The investigation revealed Fielder had been sexually abusing a minor for several years. A search warrant was also served at his residence in Suisun City in Solano County.

Investigators learned Fielder had previously coached youth sports in Solano County and worked for at least one high school as a campus supervisor.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.

Case information: People v. Paul Ruben Fielder, Docket Number 05-192507-2

Community College Board Ward 5 candidate Sandoval endorsed by labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta 

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Contra Costa Community College Board Ward 5 candidate Fernando Sandoval from his Facebook page on July 14, 2020 and Delores Huerta from DeloresHuerta.org.

By Doreen Moreno

Community leader Fernando Sandoval is honored to announce the endorsement of Dolores Huerta, American labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Cesar Chavez, co-founded the United Farm Workers Union. Dolores Huerta, Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation for Community Organizing, leads the endorsement list of elected officials, community leaders, small business owners, and college faculty, staff and students in supporting him for Trustee of the Contra Costa Community College District Board for Ward 5.

Huerta is one of the century’s most powerful and respected labor movement leader who has received numerous awards for her trailblazing leadership, including being inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2013 and receiving the country’s highest civilian honor in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2012.

“Fernando Sandoval’s humble beginnings in the migrant camps of Isleton along the Sacramento River to his low-income childhood in East County to his career achievements as a technology and finance advisor to prestigious banking companies worldwide is a perfect example of the perseverance and contributions individuals from labor backgrounds provide our communities and this nation everyday,” said Dolores Huerta.

Huerta adds, “His personal upbringing gives him an understanding of both the barriers and benefits of how a quality education can open doors of opportunity to good paying jobs and the economic contributions to our families and the greater economy. Fernando’s experiences position him to be a bold leader with a vision and a strong voice for all students in the community college system to be prepared as the future workforce for reigniting our post pandemic economy.”

Sandoval added “I am deeply honored to have the endorsement of international labor leader Dolores Huerta who has given tirelessly of herself for over 60 years to advocate for worker’s rights and fair wages, for equality for women and LGBQT rights and for public policies that provide fair employment standards and access to quality health and education for our diverse communities and future leaders.”

In alignment with Huerta’s legacy, Sandoval has been continuously serving East County communities and the students in various roles, such as an advisory member of the Contra Costa Community College District’s committee on diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities.  He also Chaired the Bond Oversight Committee for modernization of schools at Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD). Fernando has also organized mentoring, tutoring and motivational workshops for students at Los Medanos College and high schools throughout the area. This year he was recognized for his service by receiving the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service by Los Medanos College.

Fernando Sandoval is a published author of his memoir, “From Tortilla Chips to Computer Chips” that highlights his upbringing in a hard-working immigrant family, his experience in the U.S. Navy and Vietnam War and his career as a finance and technology management strategy advisor to top banking institutions worldwide.

For more information about Fernando Sandoval for Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees, Ward 5, contact fernando4collegetrustee@gmail.com. Sandoval is challenging two-term incumbent Greg Enholm for the second time. He ran in 2016 but lost with 39.75% of the vote to Enholm’s 59.82% . Ward 5 includes the communities or cities of Clyde, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Oakley, Bethel Island, Knightsen, most of Antioch and Discovery Bay, and portions of Brentwood and Concord.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

New Census Caravan rolling through the Concord Monument Corridor Thursday, August 6 at noon

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By Josh Green, Media Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau

Festively decorated cars and bikes will roll through Concord August 6 to raise awareness about the safety and importance of the 2020 Census in those neighborhoods that still have many households that have not responded. The neighborhoods were selected because they have a high proportion of “hard-to-count” communities, which are populations that are historically undercounted in the census.

During the shelter-in-place months that everyone has endured, the caravans have been a fun, effective and socially distant way to remind people that they can still respond to the Census until September 30 using one of three methods: online at my2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or using a paper questionnaire received in the mail.

In a week the biggest Census operation – called “Non-response Follow-up” (NRFU) – gets underway August 11. That’s when 500,000 census takers across the country fan out in thousands of neighborhoods to make sure every person gets counted. Households that self-respond do not get a visit from a census taker.

During the weeks leading up to NRFU the Census will focus on getting the self-response rate as high as possible in every part of the Bay Area.

The Census is reminding everyone that:

  1. It is not too late for families to get counted online, by phone, or by mail. Anyone can go to my2020census.gov to self-respond.
  2. Every person counts, no matter what their documentation status, nationality or location.
  3. Participating local city officials and nonprofit partners want to see their cities and counties get a complete and accurate account.
  4. Everyone should come out on their doorsteps with a mask to wave hello and support the 2020 Census!

DA charges Martinez man with two felonies after pointing gun at bystander near Black lives matter mural

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By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

The BLACKLIVESMATTER mural on Court Street in Martinez. From @mtz.for.black.lives on Instagram.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Joseph Osuna (30-year-old Martinez resident) with three criminal counts, including two felonies, for his alleged action of the unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on Sunday, July 5. Osuna drove by the Black lives matter street mural in downtown Martinez and yelled at various individuals standing by the mural.

One of the bystanders exchanged words with Osuna. Moments later, Osuna made a u-turn to come back to the bystander. Osuna exited his vehicle and pulled out a loaded revolver and pointed the firearm at the bystander. Fortunately, police officers from the Martinez Police Department were nearby and were able to respond to the scene.

Osuna’s 2015 Jeep Wrangler was quickly spotted, and he was pulled over by the police. When Osuna was stopped, the police recovered the revolver in his vehicle. The firearm was not registered to Osuna.

He faces up to three years in custody if found guilty of his actions.

The alleged offenses again Osuna are as follows:

  • Unlawful Firearm Activity, Felony PC 29805
  • Possessing Firearm Not Registered to Owner, Felony PC 25850 (a)/(c) 6
  • Exhibiting a Concealed Weapon in Public, Misdemeanor PC 417 (a)(2)(A)

Case information: People v. Joseph Daniel Osuna Docket Number 01-194090-7

Martinez Police Chief issues appeal ahead of expected Sunday Black lives matter protest

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Herald file photos.

“do not come to the protest armed or with an intention to commit violence…We have a large contingent of personnel from every agency in Contra Costa County that will be here on Sunday to assist us.” – Chief Manjit Sappa

Downtown businesses board up out of fear and precaution.

A large protest is expected in Martinez, Sunday afternoon following the painting of a permitted mural on Court Street with the words BLACKLIVESMATTER, and an effort by a couple to paint over it with black paint. They have since been charged with a hate crime. (See related articles here and here)

According to a KPIX5 CBS SF BayArea news report, “several downtown businesses have already boarded up their windows. ‘It’s just added expense, at a time and added frustration, not knowing how this is going to end up,’ explained Ernie Guerrero as he unloaded plywood outside of his restaurant, La Tapatia Mexican Cuisine.”

Message from the Chief of Police

July 11, 2020

Dear Community:

As we get closer to Sunday, I thought it would be prudent to share information about our preparation for the protest on Sunday. As it stands, we have all of our dedicated sworn personnel working in the field on Sunday to keep our community safe. They work diligently each and every day to serve our community and will be doing all they can to ensure our community’s safety.

We have a large contingent of personnel from every agency in Contra Costa County that will be here on Sunday to assist us. I want to thank the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and every Police Chief in Contra Costa County for sending first responders to the City of Martinez in light of the large protest on Sunday. I also want to thank the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District for being great partners and helping plan for any medical needs that may arise.

In the past day, we have been getting information from social media that folks with different viewpoints will be in our city to protest. We have learned that some may be coming with the intention of protecting the community from protestors or protecting the police officers working the event and while I appreciate that thought, DO NOT come to the protest armed or with an intention to commit violence. The job of a police officer in today’s world is tough – it is complicated, difficult, and yet we still have good men and women that come to work each day to help others and safeguard communities. Our officers are fantastic and value the great relationship with our community; it would seem natural that many in our community want to protect us and I could not be more thankful for that thought, but the best protection you can give us is by letting us do our job of protecting our community.

Bringing a weapon of any kind to a peaceful protest or illegally carrying a weapon into our community could serve as a flashpoint for an escalation of events. Please help us keep calm in the community and de-escalate any conflict. Many of our residents and community members are worried, scared, and feel helpless that different groups are converging on our small town; I share their concerns and I implore anyone coming to Martinez on Sunday to strive to put your best foot forward. Feel free to gather, feel free to speak, feel free to exercise your First Amendment Right. Please DO NOT engage in toxic, violent, hateful, or unsafe behavior. It will put everyone at risk and create safety issues for the officers working on Sunday.

In the event that the protest devolves and there are acts of violence or damage in a manner that places the community at risk, we will be forced to disperse the crowd and I want to be transparent in that regard. We will be tolerant and work with all of you for a peaceful event – we implore you to not force us to respond in a manner that requires we take immediate action to end the event. For the sake of our community and everyone involved, we ask that you do all you can to ensure that the event is peaceful. For all protestors – as a community we ask that you do not disrespect us by damaging our city. Be kind and let’s all work together to ensure we have a safe and uneventful day that is positive. I sincerely appreciate you adhering to our request for a safe and peaceful weekend.

Sincerely,

Manjit Sappal

Chief of Police

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

East Bay Park District Board approves land use plan for new regional park on former Concord Naval Weapons Station land

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Concord Hills Regional Park Land Use Plan Recreational Facilities map. By EBRPD.

Official naming of park will happen later following more public input

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved the final land use plan for public access improvements and open space preservation at the Park District’s new 2,540-plus-acre regional park, with the working name of Concord Hills. The final land use plan includes a joint visitor center with the National Park Service highlighting the history of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and the Diablo Valley, staging areas, and miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking, and nature viewing.

Rendering of the reuse of one of the many bunkers on the property. By EBRPD.

“This is the true culmination of a decades-long community effort,” said Beverly Lane, who has represented Concord on the East Bay Regional Park District Board since 1994. “I’m proud to be part of the Park District and its effort to produce a truly fabulous plan for a new Regional Park in the Diablo Valley.”

“This important land use plan will provide public access, preserve natural habitat, and honor the unique natural and human history of the land,” added Lane.

In July 2019, after a 20+ year community effort, the Park District received possession of 2,216 acres of U.S. Navy property at the Concord Naval Weapons Station. An additional 327 acres will transfer to the District at a later time.

The final land use plan utilizes existing developed areas and buildings to the greatest extent possible. The final approved plan and the associated environmental analysis permanently preserve 95% of the land as open space and protected habitat.

Photo by Stephen Joseph Fine Art Photography.

“Turning the former military base into a world-class park will take very many years and millions of dollars to restore and open,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “However, thanks to the Park District and community’s efforts, 2,500 plus acres of scenic Diablo Valley landscape is permanently protected.”

“The opportunity to partner with the National Park Service to tell the unique and important natural and historic story of the land in a future joint visitor is exciting and rare. We thank National Park Service and all of our partners for their help in making this world-class park a reality,” added Doyle.

Rattlesnake Canyon in the South of Bailey Road Area. Photo by Stephen Joseph

On July 17, 1944, over 5,000 tons of munitions at Port Chicago exploded, killing 320 mostly enlisted African American sailors. The tragic explosion accounted for a quarter of all African American deaths in World War II and highlighted racial inequality within the Navy. On July 26, 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ordering the desegregation of all military forces. The National Park Service operates the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial at the site of the explosion, recognizing those that perished.

Creating a new Regional Park in the Diablo Valley has been a partnership between the Park District, U.S. Navy, National Park Service, City of Concord, and Save Mount Diablo. Public access is expected to come first to the southern portions of the park consisting of 900 acres south of Bailey Road.

Oak Tree with a view of Mount Diablo. Photo by Stephen Joseph.

The Board will consider the official naming of the new Regional Park at a later time after additional community outreach and engagement.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.