One Mission Peak Staging Area Closed This Weekend

FREMONT, CA — The weather forecast for this weekend predicts temperatures in the 70s. If you fancy taking a hike up Mission Peak, the East Bay Regional Park District is frowning on your plans.

The Park District has extended the closure of the Stanford Avenue Staging Area at Mission Peak through May 4.

The Park District closed the Stanford Avenue Staging Area on April 17 at the request of the City of Fremont, which is trying to enforce shelter-at-home reuirements.

The Mission Peak Stanford Avenue Staging Area is fenced off with no trail access.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve remains accessible from the nearby Ohlone College Staging Area.

“We understand the public relies on parks for fresh air, exercise, and stress relief,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “We have kept as many parks open as possible during COVID-19, but some parks, parking areas, staging areas, and facilities, like restrooms, have been closed due to staffing limitations and to prevent unsafe overcrowding.”

The Mission Peak Stanford Avenue Staging Area has been very busy during the COVID-19 emergency with no trash service and restrooms closed due to limited staffing and shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We have seen fair compliance with social distancing at Mission Peak,” said Doyle. “The challenge is crowding in the parking lot and at entrance points, bathrooms being closed, and visitors leaving trash behind rather than taking it home.”

The Park District reports that 125,000 acres of parklands and many trails remain open and accessible to the public. Current state and local “Stay-at-Home” orders allow for “outdoor recreation activities” as an “essential activity” as long as social distancing is followed.

Local health agencies have specifically asked that the Park District keep parks open as much as possible.

With the new local health agency “Cover Your Face” order, all visitors should carry a cloth face covering or mask with them when in parks and wear it whenever six-feet social distancing cannot be maintained.

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