April 4, 2025
Statement from Olivia Sanwong, EBRPD Board Director – Ward 5
Elected EBRPD representative for the Livermore-Amador Valley and Southern Alameda County areas
Response to Concerns Raised by LARPD
The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD) has recently raised concerns about the East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) role in the Livermore-Amador Valley. EBRPD has consistently made long-term investments aligned with the intent of the 1992 tax-sharing agreement. LARPD contends that the agreement excludes Del Valle, Morgan Territory, and Shadow Cliffs—a view I respectfully disagree with.
I am disappointed that LARPD canceled today’s liaison meeting (April 4, 2025), following an earlier postponement of the January 31 meeting. Both times, I had hoped the EBRPD–LARPD liaison meetings would provide an opportunity to engage the community on projects like a phase I opening of Doolan Canyon and new regional trail connections at Brushy Peak. I remain hopeful that future meetings will provide an opportunity to advance these conversations together with community input and support.
Providing safe public access to open space is complex. For example, LARPD currently manages Sycamore Grove Park (850 acres), a community gem, but scaling up to larger properties would likely be a significant challenge. Unlike EBRPD, LARPD lacks its own planning, public safety, and fleet vehicle departments, relying instead on the City of Livermore for these services. Scaling up would require substantial staffing, equipment, and infrastructure—resources that LARPD would need to coordinate in partnership with the City of Livermore.
To put this into perspective, next to Sycamore Grove and within the defined Murray Township area, EBRPD manages Del Valle Regional Park (4,395 acres) and the Ohlone Wilderness (9,737 acres). These properties are more extensive and complex than Sycamore Grove, with rugged terrain, diverse ecosystems, critical fire management needs, and the 28-mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail, which crosses multiple jurisdictions. EBRPD’s long-term investments at Del Valle include Camp Arroyo (opened in 2001) and over 150 public campsites. By contrast, LARPD’s camping efforts are based outside the region, in Lake Tahoe.
It’s also important to understand how EBRPD’s budget is structured. The 2025 Budget lists Del Valle’s operating costs at $3 million, excluding essential public safety services such as EBRPD’s Aerial Support Unit, based at Livermore Airport, and vital to regional emergency response. The budget also excludes shared services like planning and fleet vehicle management, which EBRPD maintains in-house—reflecting a higher level of operational readiness than LARPD.
I remain committed to equitable investment and long-term community engagement, grounded in EBRPD’s proven ability to provide safe public access to open space.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this statement are my own and do not represent the official position of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) or its Board of Directors.