Park District Begins Historic 75th Anniversary with Significant Land Acquisition at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

On February 2, 2009, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors agreed to purchase the 153-acre Schwartz property located by Morgan Territory Regional Preserve near Clayton. “This acquisition is especially significant because it is the first one to be approved in 2009, a very historical year for the Park District,” stated Board President Ted Radke.  The East Bay Regional Park District is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year giving it the distinction of being the first regional park district to be established in the nation. 

Park District staff actually began negotiations with the property owners, Karl and Alfred Schwartz, in 1989. After years of discussion, Mr. Schwartz and his son agreed to sell the property – which had been owned by the family for over 100 years – to the District so that it may be preserved in perpetuity. The purchase price, supported by an independently prepared appraisal, is $803,880. Funding for the amount of $676,631 is being provided form the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy through a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The remainder will come from the Park District’s Measure AA funds which were designated for this parcel several years ago.  

Comprised of one large Assessor’s parcel, the Schwartz property is bisected by Morgan Territory Road.  The southerly portion of the property, approximately four acres in size, can be directly accessed via the road. In the event trail access is obtained through an adjacent land holding, there will be direct trail access from the Schwartz property to Mount Diablo State Park.

Upper elevations of the Schwartz property provide panoramic views of Mt. Diablo and surrounding ridgelines. The open grasslands and rock outcrops are used for foraging by raptors, including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and prairie falcons.  From the ridge, the land slopes steeply westward down toward Morgan Territory Road. A series of undulating, heavily-wooded spur ridges, gullies and seasonal creeks drain to Morgan Creek which runs through the property.  The slopes are densely vegetated with a mixture of oak/bay woodland and chaparral.  The property’s diversity of habitat, abundant water and proximity to 5,000 acres of protected open space at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve will provide excellent opportunities for wildlife and wildlife viewing.

On January 9, 2007, the Board approved the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan and authorized the General Manager to execute an Implementing Agreement which identified the Park District as a partner in land acquisition, restoration and preserve management. The Schwartz property is the first acquisition project to be completed from the partnership. 

Park District General Manager, Pat O’Brien, adds “Thanks to the Conservancy’s efforts, the District will be able to complete this land acquisition and protect a significant portion of the Morgan Creek watershed, preserve a prominent ridgeline and pursue regional trail connections and public recreational opportunities.”

Photo by: Scott Hein