LARPD, TVC Earn State Award for Community Partnership

Announcement, photos submitted by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District:

The California Association for Recreation and Park Districts honored the Tri-Valley Conservancy for its partnership with the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District.

CARPD, a statewide organization representing special recreation and park districts, has an annual awards program that recognizes individuals, groups, programs and facilities in parks and recreation. LARPD nominated the TVC, which was selected for the award for Outstanding Community Organization.

The award was presented at the annual CARPD conference on May 16 in South Lake Tahoe at an Awards of Distinction ceremony.

The TVC has been instrumental in providing support to allow the District to add new park land to Sycamore Grove Park and build a trail extension connecting to a regional trail system. In a process that required several years of commitment, LARPD asked the TVCto negotiate, assist in finding funding, and partially fund the property acquisition that would later be turned over for the District to own and operate.

The Conservancy is a community organization with the mission “to permanently protect the fertile soils, rangelands, open space and biological resources, and to support a viable agricultural economy in the Tri-Valley area.” The TVC has a 12-member Board of Directors, advisory council members, volunteers and a staff of five employees that devote time and energy to safeguard the Valley.

This great partnership agreement with the Conservancy allowed LARPD to take ownership of the 72.33 acres of land. A 5-foot-wide, single-track trail was constructed byLARPD rangers and volunteers, plus East Bay Regional Park District volunteers and staff.

With the help of the Conservancy, this project benefits not only LARPD and Sycamore Grove Park visitors, but also the whole East Bay area of park and trail users with the connection to Del Valle Regional Park. Future improvements planned for the area include a bridge and trail through the regional trail gap, which TVC and EBRPD are also working on.

LARPD is appreciative of the TVC’s willingness and efforts to make this regional trail connector and additional open space park property a reality. This has been a long-time goal of the District, and would not have been possible without the valuable help of the Conservancy.

Photos of the Trail Dedication Ceremony at Sycamore Grove Park and the CARPD Award presentation on May 16 (pictured left to right are CARPD President Rick Sloan, LARPD Director Maryalice Faltings, recipient Tri-Valley Conservancy Board Member Connie Campbell, and LARPD General Manager Tim Barry)