The planning for a new park in the Livermore hills is in the works by California State Parks. When done, it will be, or could be, a wonderful addition to Livermore, if planning stays on track to protect this valuable resource.
Recently, I attended the Alameda-Tesla workshop that presented two concept plans for the park. The plans were very disappointing. They ignored many years of public input that consistently requested complete preservation of this land and designation as a State Reserve. It deserves this classification for many reasons: its biological diversity of rare plants and special stature wildlife, its cultural Native American remains, its historical content, and its critical link wildlife corridor.
As a Reserve, the park would be open to all for activities consistent with a careful planning to protect these valuable resources. These would include hiking, nature walks, photography, birding, youth nature activities, scientific research and education, and Native American cultural activities.
So, what is the problem? The State Park plans are totally contrary to public input over the past 20 years. They include many high impact activities that are contrary to preservation. In fact, just the opposite. The plans as presented will drive high-intensity uses deep into Tesla’s sensitive landscape, building roads, campgrounds, bike trails and associated facilities that damage and fragment essential habitat for over 100 protected special-status plants and animals. This is especially troubling because State Parks has hundreds of acres just next door where these activities can be located which they refuse to use.
State Parks needs to return to the drawing board, and this time provide a real plan for a Natural Reserve in Tesla that will meet its obligation to “preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources.” Livermore residents, pay attention to this as the entrance to the park will be just east of our town. In a couple of years, you could have a picnic in a blue oak forest, walk through the remains of the old mining town of Tesla, and walk the old wagon road that connected Tesla to Livermore; yes, it’s still there. You could see why the Native Ohlone chose this place to gather acorns and trade with other tribes at Brushy Peak.
You can help by emailing California State Parks at: info@alamedateslaplan.com with a simple request: “State Parks, please designate all of the Alameda-Tesla land a State Reserve.”