Nearby Nature

Last Minute Call: Trail Workers and Campers At Dimond Park

Hey if Michelle Obama can get down and dirty while helping to build a playground, then you can volunteer too.  The Volunteers For Outdoor California (V-O-Cal) are making a last-minute call for volunteers at Dimond Park this weekend, and looking for able-bodied trail workers.

Dimond Creek

Anyone 14 years or older is welcome to sign up, camp Friday and Saturday nights at Dimond, and join this full-on push to restore canyon trails.  Everything is free, including the food!  If you can’t devote a weekend, then sign up for a day or a few hours:

  • Friday night arrival and camping – from 5pm – 10pm
  • Saturday work day – from 8am – 4pm
  • Saturday dinner & entertainment – from 4pm – 8pm
  • Saturday night camping – arrive 8pm – 10pm
  • Sunday work day – from 8am – 2pm

V-O-Cal has very specific goals this weekend, namely to “build sustainable access trails to Sausal Creek, repair several fences to improve safety and restore some overgrown and unstable trails.”  While there’s work ahead, it will be in the company of many like-minded volunteers.  (Learn more about the weekend, and then register and sign up here.)

The real reason for showing up comes from insiders, who say there’s a great camaraderie when volunteering en masse.  We also understand that V-O-Cal rewards their volunteers with gourmet grub, especially on Saturday night.  That’s unlike any kind of trail and camping experiences we have, even in the Sierras.

Update: The Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC newsletter) also support Dimond Canyon on a regular basis.  Following this weekend’s event, they have scheduled restoration efforts on Tuesday, June 30th from 6-9 pm.  Volunteer work includes removing invasive species and cleaning up litter near the creek.

To kick things off, FOSC will host a welcome potluck dinner starting at 5pm.  Please bring some edibles over to the Scout Hut at Dimond Park, along with your family and friends.  This is a chance to mingle with FOSC Executive Director Kimra McAfee and other devoted Sausal Creek supporters.  (RSVP to coordinator@sausalcreek.org or 510-501-3672.)

Keep Compliant With Fire Code

Every fire season, inspectors prowl around our hills and make sure that property owners aren’t lax about maintaining defensible space between vegetation and homes.  It’s easy to violate codes with such verdant growth here.

We live within the Oakland Wildfire Prevention District, which is classified as a very high hazard severity zone.  The big hills fires appear like clockwork, and the last one happened 18 years ago.  That means we (well, you) need to keep the potential tinder at bay.

Fire Code - Out Of Compliance

Starting June 15th, the inspectors begin checking our compliance with California Fire Codes.  There are full-timers assigned to homes within Montclair, and they visit properties unannounced all summer.  They are looking for “bad” vegetation growth and more, as depicted in this video.

So it’s time to get your property cleared out!  Otherwise, the City of Oakland will charge $275 if you don’t meet codes and require a re-inspection.

Compliance Requirements

Here are the official things you need to do:

  1. Maintain a 30-foot fuel reduction zone around all buildings/structures; more may be required. Cut grass to 6 inches or less. Shrubs need to be maintained.
  2. If property is greater than 1/2 acre, maintain a 100 ft.  defensible space/fuel reduction zone from all buildings and neighboring structures; more may be required.
  3. Maintain a 10-foot minimum clearance next to the roadside; more may be required.
  4. Remove all portions of trees within 10 feet of chimney and/or stovepipe outlets.
  5. Maintain a 10 feet minimum horizontal clearance of tree crowns from any structure.
  6. Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles or other dead/dying vegetation.
  7. Maintain trees adjacent to structures free of dead/dying vegetation.  Remove dead/dying vegetation from property.
  8. Remove all tree limbs within 6 feet of the ground.
  9. Wood chips must not be deeper than 6 inches (no piles).
  10. Provide Street address numbers that are clearly visible from the roadside: minimum height 4 inches, in a contrasting color.
  11. Storage of firewood shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from structures and separated from the crown of trees by a minimum horizontal distance of 15 feet.

Hauling The Debris

All this compliance translates into a lot of yard debris.  Of course, trimmings should be placed in your green cart for weekly pick-up.

Extra trimmings will get picked up, at no extra charge, if you place them in your own container (under 35 gallons) or deposit them in a brown paper bag next to your cart.  You can also bundle a few branches no larger than 4′ long for pick-up.  Nothing in plastic bags here!

To handle seasonal efforts, you may take advantage of a free curbside tree and brush chipping service.  You need to leave branches no greater than 4” in diameter, stack them in piles no greater than 4’ by 4’ long, and have no more than two stacks per pick-up.  Please call the chipping crew in advance, at 510-238-7388.

If you are dumping more debris regularly, then it’s possible to pay $7.59 monthly for a second green cart.  For those who do clean up in one fell swoop, you may want to arrange a one-time bulky pickup.  For any additional services, call Waste Management at 510-613-8710.

More info:   Oakland Wildfire Prevention District – Prevention Video – Clean-up Services – Homeowner Flyer – Oakland Recycles

Camp in Joaquin Miller Park, A Rare Occasion

2010 Update:   Camp in Joaquin Miller Park this year, on June 26-27th!  Please call Stephanie Benavidez at 510-238-3739 to sign-up.  It costs just $8 per person, and remember to bring your own camp gear.

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If you have kids, then why not take them camping?  You probably have many excuses wrapped around the logistical maneuvers and long drives.  Save the hassles by participating in the Great American Backyard Campout – right here at Joaquin Miller Park.

Great American Backyard Campout

Once a year, you and your family can easily camp under the stars.  Oakland Parks and Recreation runs this great event at Joaquin Miller Park (map) – starting at 2pm on June 27th and breaking camp by noon on June 28th.

This camping staycation costs only $9/resident or $11/non-resident, which includes dinner, camp snacks, and a continental breakfast.  You do have to bring your own camping gear, though.

The main catch is signing up for a few coveted slots in advance.  Please sign up here or else call Stephanie Benavidez at 510-867-0669.

Those Lucky Weekday Hikers

For years, the Montclair Hiking Club has organized weekday hikes around the Bay Area.  The group is associated with Oakland’s Park and Rec Department, but essentially run by hiking volunteers.  They are very organized and carpools leave every Tuesday morning from the Montclair Park Rec Center.

Montclair Hiking Club

Last week, the Club held its annual picnic and revealed those lucky weekday hikers.  On that Tuesday, some took the long way around Redwood from Skyline Gate, while others showed up at the Redwood Gate to wander stream-side.

Generally the hikers go from a few miles to ten miles each week – and most do not look like spring chickens!  I’m not too surprised that they are still doing these amazing hikes in the hills.

This coming week, the options are either Morgan Territory or Leona Canyon.  Now that summer crowds have arrived, it makes sense to walk during the weekdays – if you have the time and energy.

The group has its own site which lists upcoming hikes.  You can also get on their email list by sending a note to Montclairhikers-owner@yahoogroups.com.  Someday I should just take the day off, and hang out with this motley crew.

Original Propaganda For East Bay Parks

Since the East Bay Regional Park District celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, various historical artifacts are getting dusted off.  Until today, we had not noticed this great piece of propaganda – which encourages locals to vote for the creation of the parks.

Regional Park Proposal

When you look at the boosterism, it makes the East Bay look positively serene.  Except for that guy declaring “a job,” the Depression ills have been sidelined here.

According to the Park District, California Governor James Rolph authorized the district’s formation in 1933 subject to the approval of district residents.   This cartoon and other efforts helped mobilize voters from San Leandro to Albany, and the parks were approved by a landslide – 2.5 to 1 – on November 4, 1934.

Did the Park District deliver what it promised?  This campaign promised easier access, fishing, hiking, swimming, camping and a deer sighting or two.  The district delivered on those scores for sure.  Our prescient conservation efforts are remarkable, even though many of you (us) quibble with tree-cutting and trail policies today.

Alameda and Contra Costa voters still gives thumbs-up when additional ballot measures appear to support the parks – most recently last year.  Something must have worked out well, after all.