1. Richmond General Plan - Speak Up for Open Space!

CESP is pleased that new Richmond General Plan that was released in August, 2011 includes many positive changes. There is an emphasis on environmental sensitivity and respect for open space and natural resources that well befits a city with as many important environmental areas as Richmond contains. CESP applauds several changes made from earlier drafts, which have helped avoid the generation of significant impacts on important shoreline wildlife habitat. Areas of positive change include:

  • The new open space designation of the entire North Shoreline area west of the Richmond Parkway and south of Pt. Pinole Regional Park.
  • The mixed use designation for the Terminal 4 area at Point San Pablo opens the way for conversion of this former industrial site to park and open space use that will benefit Richmond citizens and the public.
  • For the Southern Gateway area, the added language to create appropriate setbacks in order to respect the natural habitats in adjacent marsh areas.
  • Continuation of the current business/light industrial in the area adjacent to Point Isabel Regional Park, which will minimize negative impacts on the adjoining park and open space/natural preserve areas.

Areas of Concern and Request for further improvements:

  • Set-back requirement designated for the Campus Bay area should also be extended to the area surrounding Point Isabel and the Hoffman Marsh.
  • Stronger recognition of sea level rise and a commitment to implementing a plan to deal with it. Specifically, the General Plan needs to reserve sufficient area to accommodate shoreline-using animal and plant species, global warming-induced sea level rise will inevitably result in the loss of crucial wildlife habitat. This is particularly true along the North Shoreline and the Hoffman Marsh.

Note: All Richmond meetings are held at Richmond City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, unless noted otherwise.

Please take action on this important issue by emailing the City Council at:

and copy pjones@eastshorepark.org

Email the Richmond City Council and tell them of your concerns about inappropriate development and encourage them to prioritize open space.

2. Albany Bay Trail

It is time to complete Albany's Bay Trail!

  • Albany’s shoreline is the only gap in the Bay Trail from Emeryville to Richmond’s Marina Bay
  • Detailed plans have already been drawn up by the East Bay Regional Park District
  • Golden Gate Fields has promised to work with the Park to complete the trail

Please write to East Bay Regional Park District, Golden Gate Fields and the Albany City Council asking them to follow through with their plans and complete our Bay Trail!

Bob Doyle Assistant General Manager - Land Division
East Bay Regional Park District
2950 Peralta Oaks Ct.
Oakland, CA 94605

Peter Tunney
Golden Gate Fields
1100 Eastshore Highway
Berkeley, CA 94710

Albany City Council
1000 San Pablo Ave.
Albany, CA 94706