2011 was a very good year for the Bay Trail in Richmond. Richmond now has over 31 miles of San Francisco Bay Trail in place — the most of any city on this planned 500-mile hiking and biking route encircling San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. This report highlights 2011 achievements and describes plans for closing the gaps remaining. See the map page of this report to locate trail segments discussed below and learn about plans to close gaps.
The high point of 2011 was completion of the 2.8-mile Landfill Loop Trail by Republic Services. Located on San Pablo Bay between the mouths of Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks, this trail has an array of interpretive exhibits produced by TRAC with funding by Republic Services.
Thanks to cooperation by West County Wastewater District (WCWD), East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) connected the Landfill Loop with the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail staging area by building the 0.8-mile Wildcat Marsh Trail. Richmond Sanitary Services mailed the Wildcat Marsh & Landfill Loop Trail Guide to its 50,000 customers in western Contra Costa County. EBRPD funded printing of this guide produced by TRAC using donations by WCWD, Republic Services and Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The City of Richmond renovated existing trails while new ones were being built by EBRPD and Republic Services. The Port of Richmond improved the Shipyard 3 Trail and started construction on scenic overlooks and interpretive exhibits. The Community Redevelopment Agency widened the City’s oldest shoreline trail between Shimada Park and Meeker Slough bridge and installed new lighting while the Parks & Landscaping Division renovated landscaping. Richmond, Caltrans and Chevron are working to design the Bay Trail segment connection Castro Street to Pt. Molate, and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition is working closely with Quest Engineering on this important project.
The map page of this report depicts planning, design and funding activities underway to close the 10.5 miles of Bay Trail gaps. The City is preparing designs for closing three gaps on the Ferry Point Loop and for providing a one-mile Bay Trail connection with the existing trail under the Richmond/San Rafael bridge. EBRPD is working to connect Point Pinole Regional Shoreline with the Bay Trail from the south as part of the Breuner Marsh Restoration & Public Access Project, as well as from Atlas Road and the City of Pinole.
TRAC’s Steering Committee appreciates your continuing support Chair Bruce Beyaert, Vice Chair Nancy Strauch, Donald Bastin, Bruce Brubaker, Whitney Dotson & Jerry Rasmussen You may join the Richmond Bay Trail Network at no cost and receive periodic updates by e-mailing tracbaytrail@earthlink.net For more information, see www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail