The folks at the Trails for Richmond Action Committee already had reason to be happy when they issued their midyear report last month chronicling the latest progress on increasing the Bay Trail in Richmond and the challenges that still await.

At 31 miles, Richmond already has more of the planned 500-mile trail than any city in the Bay Area.

Recent accomplishments include dedication of a 2.4-mile segment in the Port of Richmond that leads to the site of historic Kaiser Shipyard No. 3 and the SS Red Oak Victory.

Planning has also started on closing three gaps of the 4.75-mile Ferry Point Loop trail at Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, and funding was secured toward planning a connection between Point Richmond and Point Molate, probably the most difficult segment still to be done.

The report, which can be downloaded at the TRAC website, www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/, doesn't have all the latest news.

On July 10, the city approved funding that will allow work to proceed on planning a one-mile trail segment between Castro Street and Tewksbury Avenue and the existing trail under the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge.

"This project is the keystone for the 5.5-mile Bay Trail spur running from the (Richmond) Plunge through the Point Richmond Historic District to Point Molate and around Point San Pablo to the Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor," TRAC reports.

Yet another agency

Advertisement
came through last month when the East Bay Regional Park District approved a $400,000 engineering contract to prepare project design and permit applications for its Breuner Marsh Restoration and Public Access Project at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.

"This project includes building 1.5 miles of San Francisco Bay Trail linking (Point Pinole) with Goodrick Avenue just off the Richmond Parkway while restoring tidal and seasonal wetlands on the former Breuner property," TRAC notes.

  • Meanwhile, there are plenty of activities going on along the existing shoreline and trail and two events this weekend on Richmond islands on the Bay.

    A volunteer day to do maintenance work at East Brother Light Station, the historic site turned into a nonprofit bed-and-breakfast on an island off Point San Pablo, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

    Help is needed to paint the wood shingle roof of the lighthouse.

    "Most of us are getting older, and we need some nimble, younger volunteers to help," say organizers. "We have all the equipment and safety gear. Experienced painters are particularly encouraged, but we will train anyone else quickly."

    Volunteers will get a free lunch and a scenic boat ride to and from the island.

    To sign up, go to the East Brother Light Station website, www.ebls.org/volunteering.html.

  • If a recreational island outing is more your style, consider the kayak excursion from the Richmond Marina to Brooks Island, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

    The adventure includes double kayaks and gear provided by California Canoe & Kayak for the relatively short trip to the island, where a naturalist will lead a two-mile hike around Brooks, which is owned by the regional park district and is normally closed to visitors.

    The cost is $85 for residents of Contra Costa and Alameda counties, and required registration can be done by calling 888-327-2757 and pressing option 2.

    Participants must be at least 14 years old.

    WEST COUNTY NOTES: Great to see all the block parties Tuesday at neighborhoods all around West County for National National Night Out. It's safe to say that participation was its highest ever for the community- and security-building event.

  • The good folks at SPAWNERS, the El Sobrante group dedicated to restoration of San Pablo Creek, will offer their expertise at a workshop on removing ivy from your garden from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way. To RSVP, contact Femke Oldham at femke@thewatershedproject.org or 510-665-3538.

  • The next open hours at the Shadi Historical Room at El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave., are 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16.

  • Head to the SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd. in the Port of Richmond, any time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday for pancakes, coffee, orange juice, sausage, bacon and eggs at $7 per person (children under 5 free).

    You can also tour the ship and see war-era cartoons in the No. 3 hold.

    The monthly breakfasts benefit the restoration of the historic World War II ship.

  • Stage Door Conservatory presents a cast of 25 young actors in the musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" this weekend at the Performing Arts Center at El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Ave. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

    Contact Chris Treadway at 510-262-2784 or ctreadway@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/christreadway. Stay up-to-date on West Contra Costa news at IBABuzz.com/westcounty.