Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
The East Bay Regional Park District has announced the addition of approximately 190 acres of new parkland adjacent to Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, in Concord, strengthening long-term open space protection and advancing future parkland connectivity in the region.
The newly acquired Britton and Britton adjacent properties, located between the Park District’s former Concord Naval Weapons Station lands to the west and the Upper Hess Creek Watershed property to the east, create a continuous stretch of protected open space in an area rich with natural habitat and cultural history. The properties include open grasslands, scattered oak woodlands, riparian vegetation, and a year-round spring and pond that support local wildlife.
The land was dedicated to the Park District at no cost by West Coast Home Builders, Inc., as part of a 2019 multi-party mitigation and dedication agreement with the cities of Pittsburg and Brentwood and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy through the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP). The dedication partially fulfills mitigation requirements for planned development in the region.
The acquisition builds on earlier conservation successes in the region and continues a long-standing partnership between the Park District and the Habitat Conservancy to preserve high-value open space for wildlife and public enjoyment.
“This acquisition marks another major step toward creating a connected system of parks that links Thurgood Marshall to Black Diamond Mines, while protecting irreplaceable habitat and open space for future generations,” said Max Korten, Acting General Manager of the Park District.
The land will be placed in landbank status while staff evaluates public access opportunities, installs fencing, and completes cleanup work.
“We are pleased to see this land preserved, ensuring that open space remains intact even as development continues around us,” said John Mercurio, the Park District Board President.
“The transfer of the Britton properties is strategic for both conserving habitat for threatened and endangered species and securing an important connection to existing parklands,” said Abigail Fateman, Executive Director of the Habitat Conservancy. “This was made possible through strong collaborative partnerships with agencies across all levels of government.”
The properties were dedicated to the Park District at no cost. The Park District used $165,000 in Measure WW funds to cover closing costs and early safety and security improvements. A covenant to restrict use of property will also be recorded to ensure long-term habitat protection consistent with HCP/NCCP requirements.
