This Habitat Is Our Habitat: More Green Space For Contra Costa County And Home For The Critters

CONCORD, CA — The city just got bigger with about 190 acres of new parkland adjacent to Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, in Concord. Now that the critters have a long-term home, they can start unpacking.

The added properties include open grasslands, scattered oak woodlands, riparian vegetation, and a year-round spring and pond, all of which support local wildlife and enhance existing natural resources. The addition represents more open space for residents and habitat for threatened and endangered species, as well as an important connection to existing parklands, executives from agencies involved in the acquisition said in an announcement today.

The newly acquired Britton and adjacent properties lie between the Park District’s former Concord Naval Weapons Station lands to the west and the Upper Hess Creek Watershed property to the east, according to the East Bay Regional Park District. This acquisition is another step toward a system of parks connecting Thurgood Marshall to Black Diamond Mines, protecting these lands for future generations, Park District Acting General Manager Max Korten said in the announcement.

According to the announcement, the land will remain in "landbank status" as staff evaluate public access opportunities, install fencing, and complete cleanup work.

West Coast Home Builders, Inc., gave the land to the park district as part of a 2019 agreement involving the cities of Pittsburg and Brentwood and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. The conservancy is a joint powers authority that includes Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, Pittsburg, and Contra Costa County.

The deal helps the developer fulfill mitigation requirements for planned development in the region. The Park District used $165,000 in Measure WW funds to pay closing costs and early safety and security improvements.

“We are pleased to see this land preserved, ensuring that open space remains intact even as development continues around us," Park District Board President John Mercurio said.