Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park Joins Old-Growth Forest Network

OAKLAND, CA — Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland – the largest remaining natural grove of coast redwoods in the East Bay – has joined the more than 190 Old-Growth Forest Network forests across the United States in 32 states dedicated to sharing the nation’s complex and diverse old-growth forests with the public, East Bay Regional Parks District announced in a news release last month.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, a 1,833-acre park with 700 acres of mature second- and third-growth redwood forest, was nominated by the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League. It is the 17th forest in California to join the network and the first in Alameda County.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition to be part of the national Old-Growth Forest Network and look forward to working together to connect the public with the beautiful and majestic California coast redwoods at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park,” Park District Board President Dennis Waespi said.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is located just a few miles from downtown Oakland and features peaceful groves that give little evidence of the park's bustling past of extensive logging to supply building materials for the San Francisco Bay Area in the mid-1800s.

According to the news release, after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, a second wave of deforestation occurred.

Today, "a forest of 150-foot-tall second- and third-growth" coast redwoods remains, East Bay Regional Parks said.

“I would like to thank the Old-Growth Forest Network for designating Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park as part of their national network of protected old-growth forests,” Park District Board Member Dee Rosario, whose ward includes Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, said. “Coast Redwoods are living monuments that must be protected and enjoyed responsibly so that future generations can experience their splendor.”

Formerly Redwood Regional Park, the forest was renamed in 2019 to honor the commitment and vision of Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt who was passionate about protecting natural spaces. Reinhardt was one of five founding directors elected to the East Bay Regional Park District in 1934 and the first woman to serve on the board.

“It’s a privilege for us to honor Dr. Reinhardt’s legacy and include East Bay Parks and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in this network of old forests for people to explore and experience their beauty, biodiversity, and magnificent old trees,” Old-Growth Forest Network Southwest Regional Manager Noelle Collins said.