Regional Parks Foundation

Each year, the Regional Parks Foundation generates support for the following ongoing programs and initiatives:youth development (historically called campership) the Foundation typically supports more than 10,000 youth per year from under-resourced households and underrepresented communities by making east bay Regional park districts award-winning day camps, swimming lessons, and environmental education programs accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to participate. The overall goal of youth development support is to remove barriers to youth participation, providing an equal opportunity for east bay youth to enjoy the amenities the park district provides and inspiring them to care for their environment.environmental stewardship the bay area has seen a great increase in population over time and is now home to nearly 8 million residents. Dense urban areas have changed the face of the land. Balancing urban areas with interconnected open space is vital to preserving the bay areas ecological health. Additionally, climate change presents new challenges to our landscapes. The Foundation supports healthy and thriving plant and wildlife populations in the parklands by fundraising for habitat restoration projects, ecological health studies, environmental education, and the acquisition of parklands. Membership program the Foundation operates the park districts annual membership program which presently boasts more than 12,000 members and continues to grow. Individuals and families can enjoy the many benefits of membership including free day-use parking, swimming, annual dog passes, camping discounts, and more. Membership revenues assist the Foundation in bringing in unrestricted support that can be directed to the greatest need of the park district and its community.health and wellness programs the Foundation is part of the healthy Parks, healthy people bay area and park rx initiatives. Flagship programs it supports through these initiatives include the trails challenge (10,000+ participants annually); multicultural wellness walks (1,500+ annual participants); kids healthy outdoors challenge (2,000 participants - introduces youth to local Parks through classroom-based curriculum); and stay healthy in nature everyday (400+ participants - prescriptions by doctors for time spent in nature as part of patients treatment plans).visitor and community safety by funding public messaging around safety issues and supporting the purchase and distribution of safety equipment such as bike bells, helmets, and life jackets for under-resourced swimmers, the Foundation works to ensure that those who visit the Regional Parks can enjoy a safe and positive experience. The Foundation also supports fuels management and mitigation projects in and around the Regional Parks to increase community safety by reducing risk and potential impacts of fire events along the east bays wildland-urban interfaces.diversity, equity and inclusion with access for all as a primary goal, ensuring all who live in the east bay feel welcome in and have equal access to Parks is at the forefront of the foundations work. The Foundation board has an active and passionate committee dedicated to dei and supports marginilized communities through providing funding for interpretive and recreation programs for underrepresented groups, distributing free memberships to district community outreach partners and local libraries on a check-out basis, and building relationships with organizations serving diverse populations. Staff and foundations board of directors engage in ongoing dei training to stay informed and intentional in their work.