Land and Water Use Guidelines for the Eastshore State Park

Adopted as Recommendations to the Berkeley City Councel by the Berkeley Waterfront Commission on March 13 2002

The Berkeley Waterfront Commission recommends the following general land and water use guidelines for the portions of the Eastshore State Park within the City of Berkeley.

Many of our recommendations are similar to those adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission on February 25 2002.

These guidelines and recommendations are based on the Waterfront Commission's assessment of the habitat and open space value of the park, and on the unique recreational opportunities offered by the configuration of the Berkeley shoreline, the adjacent Berkeley Marina, and Cesar Chavez Park.

The recommended mix of habitat preservation and recreational development is considered in the context of the large areas of ESP to the north and south that are committed to habitat preservation, and the need to provide a diverse range of recreational opportunities in the closest possible proximity to the large population centers of Berkeley and the East Bay.

  1. The plan should protect and restore the mouths of the 10 creeks that empty into the Bay, as well as the tidal wetlands surrounding them. Allowing access to these areas is encouraged, so that citizens can reconnect with the local wildlife and supporting habitat. Access to protected areas should be developed along the lines of the National Wildlife Refuge boardwalks in Don Edwards and in the North Bay.

  2. Other activities, recreation, scenic, etc. Should be developed only by integrating them within this ecological framework. There appears to be enough space for many of our needs, as long as thoughtful planning and cooperation takes place.

  3. ESP planners should have as part of their planning process developing better ties with public transportation agencies. We have an opportunity here to try to do things differently, in terms of getting people out of their cars and it should be a high priority to tackle this difficult issue.

General Use Guidelines

  1. Areas of the ESP in Berkeley should be preserved for open space and wildlife habitat.

  2. Areas of the ESP in Berkeley should be developed for recreation, both on shore and water-borne.

  3. Where there are conflicts between water-borne recreation and winter bird populations, these should be resolved by means of seasonal operating restrictions rather than by withdrawing support for these activities from the park plan.

  4. Non-motorized and public transit access should be encouraged. Some of the demand for parking should also be accommodated.
Specific Recommendations

  1. Facilities and improvements supporting non-motorized water-borne recreation in the North Sailing Basin should be developed.

  2. Facilities and improvements supporting diverse non- motorized recreational land uses on the North Basin Strip should be developed.

  3. Improvements supporting diverse non-motorized recreational land uses (picnic areas, trails, and boating support) should be developed on small areas of both the Meadow and Brickyard. Other areas of the Meadow and Brickyard should be preserved as open space and as wildlife habitat.

  4. The parking plan should provide parking to serve the Meadow.

  5. Programmatic planning and operation should be coordinated between the City of Berkeley and the Eastshore State Park.

Planning Process recommendations

  1. Recreational uses and support facilities should be planned in coordination with external demands. Existing parks, programs and activities in the Berkeley Marina have created pressures for additional parking, non- motorized boating facilities, and water access on the Berkeley waterfront, and these demands should be addressed by the park plan.

  2. A transportation plan should be developed that takes Berkeley Marina and Cesar Chavez Park traffic, particularly during heavily attended public events, into consideration. This transportation plan also should consider the possibility of ferry service.

Original recommendations as adopted on September 12, 2001, prior to meeting with the CESP Board on September 19 and further review by the Waterfront Commission on October 3 2001.

Revised recommendations as adopted on October 3 2001.