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Dimond Canyon - Oakland
City of Oakland
June 26 - 28, 2009
Register for this project here
View a project flyer to post at your work, local coffee shop, or forward to friends.
Project Background
Dimond Canyon is a 80 acre wild open space area tucked into the developed hills of Oakland near the intersection of Hwy 13 and Park Blvd. The park had some extensive public works projects in the past that urbanized the stream. Since then there have been several projects to bring much of it back to a natural setting. The hills are steep in the area. A trail network was built by the city and some with significant help from the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay. Currently the BTCEB works on trail maintenance and a bike patrol in the park. There is also a very active natural resource group. Friends of Sausal Creek are actively working on non-native removal and habitat restoration.
Trail Description
V-O-Cal will actively work to engage both existing groups along with additional V-O-Cal volunteers to do extensive trail repair, standard brushing work and habitat restoration. Some trails need switchback maintenance. There are at least two sections of fence needed to improve safety. We will create a safe and sustainable path to the creek in several areas where users are currently “sliding down” steep hillsides not intended for trails. We will also work with the Friends group to bring additional human resources to the restoration work they have been doing for some time.
Camp
Camping will take place at Dimond Park, near the intersection of Fruitvale Ave and MacArthur Blvd in Oakland. There is a short walk between the camping area and the work site. Parking is not on site, so drop gear at one of the gear drop off locations (listed below), park your car, and walk back to the camp area.
As with all V-O-Cal projects, camping will be provided Friday and Saturday night.
Food is also provided for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. While camping is optional and you can work for only one day, camping provides a great way to socialize with fellow volunteers and also an easy way to wake up in the morning and have coffee and breakfast ready. Solar showers are also available to wash up after the work day.
Carpooling and Parking
Parking will take place at the Park and Ride lot at 580 and Fruitvale Ave. There are two gear drop off locations to leave your gear before you park your car. 1) Dimond Ave at Dimond Park (at the dead end) or 2) At corner of Fruitvale Ave and Lyman Road.
PLEASE BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR PARKING PASS IN THE WINDOW AND REMOVE ALL VALUABLES FROM YOUR CAR. If you cannot print your parking pass, there will be copies available at the registration table.
We encourage participants to carpool because of the large number of people we are expecting. If you need a ride, or have space in your car, please try and carpool. We use a carpooling service which can be accessed at http://v_o_cal.erideshare.com. Log in using the password "trails". In the middle of the page is a link to create a posting.
Parking for the project will be within a short walk of the campsite. Signs will direct you to parking when you reach the property.
Driving Directions
Camp site: Dimond Park
Gear Drop Off: Two locations, marked by arrows below.
Parking: 580/Fruitvale Park and Ride
View Dimond Canyon in a larger map
Schedule
Friday
5pm - Registration and camping opens.
Saturday
7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch prep begin.
8am - Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk. Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30pm - Head back to camp.
4pm - Drinks, appetizers and socializing. Showers available.
6:15pm - Dinner and entertainment.
Sunday
8am - Registration, hot breakfast, and lunch prep.
8:30am - Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk. Project begins.
11:30am - Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Head back to camp to pack gear and truck.
2pm - Celebrate the work and say goodbyes.
What to bring and wear
For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
-Water, sun hat, and sunscreen. You will not be allowed on the trail without a water container.
-Plates, utensils, coffee mug and a cup.
-Work Gloves (if you do not have work gloves V-O-Cal can provide a pair to use).
-Sturdy shoes or books with tread. Working in sandals or open-toed shoes will not be permitted.
-Day pack to carry water and lunch.
-Sunglasses.
-Insect repellent, allergy medicine, etc.
-A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
-IF CAMPING: bring a tent, sleeping bag, folding chair, flashlight, and other camping gear. A coffee mug is also necessary. Also bring a change of clothes.
Meals
V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals.
-Please bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. To minimize waste from our projects, we ask that you bring your own dishes. Hot water and soap are provided.
-A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
-Lunch is prepared before hitting the trails. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30.
-Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
-Appetizers and beverages will be available at 4pm after the work day on Saturday. Dinner will follow at 6:15pm.
-Hot breakfast is served Sunday.
Hazards
POISON OAK: There is a slight risk of exposure to poison oak at at the work site. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu after the workday and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes.
TICKS: Ticks are always a hazard so it is important to check during and after the project.
SHARP TOOLS: Please listen to your crew leaders tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.