Joining a nationwide movement, the East Bay Regional Park District will waive fees throughout the District on Black Friday (Nov. 27) to encourage people to hit the trails, not the malls.
“We think this is a great idea, and we’re proud to be a part of it,” said East Bay Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “Hiking is a terrific way to burn off that Thanksgiving meal, spend time with family, and explore the beautiful East Bay hills and shoreline during one of the loveliest times of the year.”
The Park District will waive fees for parking, dogs, horses, boat launching and District fishing permits at all 65 parks in the District. Entrance fees at Ardenwood Historic Farm will also be waived.
The Park District estimates that waiving fees will cost about $24,000, which will be covered by the General Fund. Park District officials do not believe the Black Friday fee waivers will have a significant impact on the District’s finances.
California, Missouri and Minnesota state park departments are also offering free Black Friday admission at select parks. The movement originated with retailer REI’s #optoutdoors campaign, which encourages people to explore the outdoors, instead of shop, on what’s traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.
A few recommended hikes in the East Bay Regional Park District:
- Stream Trail, Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve, San Ramon
- Camp Ohlone Trail, Sunol Regional Wilderness, Sunol
- Stage Road Trail, Diablo Foothills Regional Park, Alamo
- Mollock Trail, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, Tassajara
- Nortonville Trail, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch
- Stream Trail, Redwood Regional Park, Oakland
- Bayview Trail, Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
- Nimitz Way Trail, Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks, Berkeley and Richmond
- Westside Loop Trail, Brushy Peak Regional Preserve, Livermore
Please go to www.ebparks.org for a full list of parks, trails, maps and other information.
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 119,000 acres in 65 parks including over 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning.
For information, please contact Carolyn Jones, Public Information Supervisor, (510) 544-2217, [email protected].
