Pleasanton Ridge expands Pleasanton Ridge expands (August 29, 2003)

Regional park acquires 654 acres

The Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park has expanded its reach to include another 654 acres with a $1.5 million land-purchase deal sealed June 30 with Shea Homes.

The property, located near the northwest section of the regional park, was purchased through park district funding as well as funding from Pleasanton. The city contributed $208,000 as part of the mitigation for the Callippe Preserve Municipal Golf Course as well as $60,000 toward fence installation to protect vulnerable wetland areas and $20,000 for debris removal.

The regional park surrounds the property on three sides and consists of elevations ranging from 720 feet to 1,600 feet. With the existing parklands, the newly acquired property connects vulnerable habitat areas and is within the Pleasanton Ridge Conservation Bank, established in 1999.

Shea homes purchased the site from American Land Conservancy, intending to operate a conservation bank but later decided to sell the property. The land is habitat for wildlife including the Alameda whipsnake, the California red-legged frog, the golden eagle, the red-tailed hawk, the bobcat and coyote. Its land diversity ranges from grassland, chaparral, coast live oak/bay woodland and riparian.

The park district directors approved the land deal at their Dec. 3 meeting. -Teresa C. Brown