EBRPD General Manager Announces Retirement

At its regularly scheduled board meeting today, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) President Doug Siden announced the retirement of longtime General Manager Pat O’Brien, effective at the end of this year. 

“With regret our board has received notice of the impending retirement of our longtime General Manager, Pat O’Brien, said Siden, who has represented Alameda and parts of Oakland for over 18 years. “Under his outstanding leadership over 22 years, Pat has made EBRPD the nation’s premiere park agency.”

In a statement, the outgoing general manager said, “I am very appreciative of the Board of Directors, our staff and the citizens of the East Bay, and the various organizations which have partnered with us over time to accomplish acquisitions, development, restorations and incredible public programs.”

O’Brien’s retirement on December 31 comes after years of unprecedented accomplishments during his twenty-two year tenure leading EBRPD, including:

*    Historic passage of Measure WW, a $500 million bond -- the largest park bond ever ratified in the nation to fund the next generation of open space and parkland development in the East Bay;

*    Expansion of the Park District by 33% through acquisition of 38,000 acres of new parklands, from 66,000 acres in 1988 to over 104,000 acres today -- an achievement that distinguishes the East Bay Regional Park District as the largest local park and recreation agency in the United States;

*    Dramatically increased public access to parklands by expanding the Park District from 48 to 65 parks, adding over 100 miles of new regional trails for walking, biking and alternative non-motorized transportation routes, and significantly increasing the scope and range of recreational and educational programs and services;

*    Developed many successful partnerships and collaborations with non-profits, universities and community colleges, and other public agencies that have resulted in the development of several large-scale capital projects such as Camp Arroyo, the youth camp and environmental education center completed in 1999 near Livermore, the Tidewater Aquatic Center at Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, and the Delta Science Center at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley – both slated to open next year;

*    Incorporated the greater Livermore Area into the boundaries of the Regional Park District, thus expanding the Regional Park District to encompass fully the two counties of Alameda and Contra Costa.

“Pat’s leadership and hands-on involvement with the Board of Directors has resulted in significant benefits for the residents of the East Bay area and beyond,” said Doug Siden, President, EBRPD Board of Directors.  “Adding 38,000 acres of parklands for the public to access and enjoy, for example, is one of many accomplishments that make governing this agency so rewarding,” said Siden. “Pat surely will be missed.” 

O’Brien’s razor sharp skills in virtually every area of park management, including operations, planning, acquisition and the legislative process have left extraordinary marks of achievement throughout the parks and recreation industry. He has been honored with numerous awards and recognition nationally, including being honored in 2009 as a “Legend in the Field” by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

O’Brien, 70, will leave behind a lasting legacy of preservation for generations, something he shares with the staff and Board of the East Bay Regional Park District.  

“As you might imagine,” he says, “this is not an easy decision for me as I am so committed to the Regional Park District, its mission, the Board and the incredible staff who work as a team to accomplish what other agencies cannot even contemplate.”

Prior to joining East Bay Regional Park District in 1988, Pat was general manager of Southgate Recreation and Park District in Sacramento, California from 1980-1988 managing that District’s urban and rural parkland areas in Sacramento County.  In addition he served as Southgate’s superintendent of recreation from 1974-1980.  He got his start in parks and recreation as a lifeguard.

He holds a master’s degree in linguistic philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a minor in recreation administration from San Francisco State University. 

Mr. O’Brien is an avid water sports enthusiast.  He is looking forward to staying actively involved in state and federal legislative issues and plans to travel with his wife Diana and spend more time enjoying his three grandchildren.