For many years the East Bay Regional Park District has carefully nurtured Alameda’s Crown Memorial State Beach. It reaches from Broadway to Crown Harbor. Over 1 million visitors enjoy it annually. Youngsters learn about nature at Crab Cove, others windsurf, families picnic, many of us just walk and enjoy the Bay and wildlife.
The Park District has expressed interest in acquiring Neptune Point on McKay Avenue adjacent to Crab Cove (a block from Webster Street) ever since the federal government announced in 2006 that it no longer needed this 3.5 acre parcel. Soon thereafter voters approved funds for the acquisition when they voted for Measure WW in 2008. The site is ideal for parking school buses when youngsters visit Crab Cove and for expanding the heavily used visitors’ center.
The problem is that in July 2012 the Alameda City Council rezoned the Neptune Point site from administrative/office to multifamily residential with up to 95 residential units. The Park District has since filed a lawsuit against the City of Alameda alleging that the rezoning was done in violation of environmental protection laws and in violation of Measure A of the Alameda City Charter. The Park District is asking the Alameda County Superior Court to rescind the residential zoning.
If you would like to support the Park District’s expansion plans at Neptune Point and give us permission to use your name on the “Friends of Crown Beach” list, please send an email to: friendsofcrownbeach@gmail.com
Any comments you may have will also be appreciated.
Signed:
Eugenie Thomson & Karin Lucas
