Nature Pavilion To Soon Enhance Shadow Cliffs Rec Area

PLEASANTON, CA – Plans for a $900,000, outdoor pavilion at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area in Pleasanton, that will be a gathering spot and will highlight park history, trails and activities, were recently finalized with a combination of grants and state funding, according to the East Bay Regional Park District.

Established with a lead gift of $200,000 from Nancy and Gary Harrington of Pleasanton, along with funding grants from California State Parks and the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, the 1,000-square-foot, nature pavilion will provide educational exhibits and shaded shelter for visitors and school children on field trips, officials said.

Pavilion groundbreaking is scheduled for April 2019 at the 116-acre park on Stanley Boulevard, a former gravel quarry that straddles Pleasanton and Livermore and is home to cottonwood and willow-lined creek open space, a wide array of wildlife, a lake, swimming beach and picnic grounds.

“During peak months, Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area sees 35,000-45,000 visitors per month, many for swimming, boating and fishing at the lake,” said East Bay Regional Park District Ward 5 Director Ayn Wieskamp. “The Nature Pavilion will help better connect visitors to the park’s larger nature area and its trails for walking, hiking, biking and nature watching.”

Thousands of school children visit the park district’s Shadow Cliffs each year to participate in naturalist-lead walks of the area, park officials said, adding that the pavilion will help the district better serve youth with modern, up-to-date educational exhibits.

The pavilion will also host the growing number of public, non-school programs, including the monthly Lakeside Littles and “How Does Your Garden Grow” programs.

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--Image of Nancy and Gary Harrington reviewing pavilion plans courtesy of EBRPD