East Bay Windsurfing Access - update

[geohaye]

EAST BAY PUBLIC ACCESS UPDATE
written by Jim McGrath and posted by George Haye,
of the SFBA Board of Directors

Berkeley

Plans to improve access at Hs. Lordships are moving again. The City of Berkeley has been working on improving the Bay Trail within the marina, but lacks funds for the entire trail. Currently, they are planning to improve the Bay Trail along the south side of University Avenue, and improve the launching area at Hs. Lordships. The plans are to install a stairway from the parking lot down to the cove on the alignment currently used by windsurfers. The stairway would be 12 feet wide, with textured steps for grip. The stairs would either stop above the wetted zone, or the final steps would be covered with fine gravel and/or coarse sand where the current beach is located. This would prevent the "slippery green slime" problem that we’re all concerned about. The current plans for the ramp do not include new landscaping or parking, so it will remain challenging to get around the existing trees, particularly with big sails. The long-term plan is to rework the parking and access along Seaw all Drive, which would include better parking and a clearer path to take equipment to the launch.

New docks are in the offing for Berkeley’s South Basin. Berkeley has secured some funding for docks damaged by the 2005 storms from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and additional funding from the Department of Boating and Waterways. We understand that bids are in for a project that would replace the flats with new, low profile floats that are two feet wider, allowing use by Cal Adventures without disrupting windsurfing access. The east dock will be lengthened, improving access at low tide somewhat. However, there are no plans in the foreseeable future for dredging the South Basin.

Pt. Isabel

We have developed a conceptual plan for enlarging the beach at Pt. Isabel with pro bono help from Bob Battalio of Phil Williams and Associates (PWA). PWA developed the plans for the restored beach/kayak launch that can be found at Vincent Park. That launch is much more user friendly than the stairs at Shimada Friendship Park, so would be an upgrade for windsurfing at Pt. Isabel that would also allow kayak use. The plan has been discussed with the East Bay Regional Park District, who manages the site. The plan is also consistent with the Master Plan for the East Shore State Park, and has received support from some local environmental groups because of the habitat value of a beach. We are hopeful that we can move this project into the construction stage in the next few years.

**Please send any questions or replies to Jim directly at:
macmcgrath@comcast.net