Dublin Hills is district’s newest jewel
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT will add another jewel to its crown July 22 with the official opening of its newest park: Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve.
Totaling about 520 acres just north of Interstate 580 in Dublin, the preserve consists of a main ridgeline with several small, steep-sloped side canyons. It’s mostly grassland, with some oak woodlands and seasonal streams. There’s abundant bird life in the new park, including Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, larks, shrikes and great-horned owls. Park trails are open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians, and the park provides ¿a link in the Calaveras Ridge Regional Trail under development.
There will be a dedication ceremony at Dublin Hills at 5:30 p.m. July 22, with remarks by officials from Dublin and the park district and representatives of the developer, Discovery Builders. After the ceremony, there will be a short, guided hike on the park trails. To attend, RSVP by July 19 to Brenda Montano, bmontano@ebparks.org.
The trailhead for Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve is just west of the intersection of Dublin Boulevard and Marshall Canyon Drive in Dublin.
East Bay Regional Park District has 65 regional parklands totaling more than 100,000 acres, located throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. No matter where you live in the East Bay, there’s a regional park or trail within 15 minutes of your home.
Speaking of trails, there’s a naturalist-led hike scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on¿ the Prairie Falcon Trail at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. The trail leads through a “miniature forest” of chaparral, and the group will check out the plant life along the way. Prairie Falcon Trail also offers great views of Mt. Diablo and its foothills. The hike is best for ages 8 and up.
Morgan Territory is located on Morgan Territory Road about nine miles south of the junction with Marsh Creek Road. The hike is designed for ages 8 and older. For information, call 1-888-EBPARKS (327-2757), ext. 2750.
ou don’t have to drive all the way to the Sierra Nevada foothills to enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, fishing and boating. Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore offers all of these activities and more at a five-mile-long lake that is part of the California water system.
For a scenic introduction to the lake, you can take the Del Valle boat tour, which is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in July and August. During the cruise, you’ll learn about the lake, the wildlife, the history and the many activities offered at the park.
Tickets are sold at the lake’s east side concession stand starting at 6 a.m. each cruise day. The cost is $5 per person for ages 13 and older; $3 for ages 1 through 12 and seniors; and free for infants under age 1 if in a parent’s arms.
All children under 13 and all non-swimming adults will be required to wear a lifejacket (provided by the concessionaire).
For more information on the Lake Del Valle scenic boat tours, phone the Rocky Mountain Recreation Co., 925-449-5201.
