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East Bay Regional Park District Vinson Property Acquisition- Devaney Canyon Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund Application for Grant Funding FUNDING CRITERIA 1. Significant Native Biodiversity Value The Vinson property is adjacent to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park and contains a portion of the I-{edd Canyon and Devaney Canyon riparian corridor system. In addition to this rich riparian habitat, other habitat types present on the property include oal~woodland, mixed chaparral, high rolling grasslands, creeks, seeps and springs. The wooded hillsides and densely shaded canyons contain a mix of coast live oak, California bay laurel, buckeye, black oak and sycamore. The rich understory consists ora moderate growth of woody and herbaceous plants including coffeeberry, sticky monkey flower, poison oak, and at least two types of ferns. The high rolling grasslands are covered with introduced annual grasses; however, there is also an abundance of native California bunchgrass. These rich habitats can support a variety of wildlife, including such rare, threatened or endangered species as Alameda whipsnake, California tiger salamander, and California red-legged frog. Other species likely to be present on the property include mountain lion, bobcat, deer, fox, golden eagle and other raptors. This riparian corridor system supports wildlife movement north fi.om Pleasanton Ridge and provides a linkage to surrounding open space and pastureland, increasing potential range for mobile species. Wildlife corridors ma'mtain diversity and prevent inbreeding, increase population size and reduce probability of extinction, increase foraging area and allow escape or refuge from predators, fire and other disturbances. Acquisition of this property by the Park District will achieve a significant District goal: to consolidate key blocks of sensitive habitat and create nearly 5,000 acres of contiguous protected terr£m. This acquisition will add strategic acreage to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, provide an important habitat linkage to publicly owned property, and protect a wildlife corridor in this highly urbanized region. 2. Significant Visual and/or Non-Motorized Recreational Value The Vinson property is the key linkage for trail access to the north end of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park at Devaney Canyon. Currently, this area of the Park in not open to the public due to lack of a connection between Dublin Canyon Road and the parkland. The Vinson property will provide this linkage and also will provide much-needed emergency vehicle access from Dublin Canyon Road to this northern end of the park. Without this linkage, emergency vehicles - and trail users - will continue to be excluded from this end of the park, or be required to traverse the entire ridge from an entry point far to the south. This access will also provide a connection to the Calaveras Ridge Trail.