PIDO Chair Diane Livoti wrote a feature that appeared in Bay Woof: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline may be small, but it’s the busiest park that allows dogs off leash in the East Bay—and making it work takes skill.

In 2023, Point Isabel Dog Owners (PIDO) launched Off-leash Skills 101, a free, 90-minute training workshop held right in the park to help dogs and their people navigate off-leash life safely and successfully. Created with veteran trainer Birgit Hafermann, the program focuses on essentials like recall, awareness, and preventing conflicts.

The next of these small, free sessions are tentatively scheduled, pending permits, for April 25 and June 13, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. near Mudpuppy's Tub & Scrub. Professional dog trainer Birgit Hafermann shares tips and techniques for successful off-leash dog walking. Email skills@pido.org to reserve a spot or get on the waiting list.

Participate in one of two East Bay Regional Park District plan engagement webinars for community organizations and members of the public in Ward 1 – West Contra Costa County. These interactive sessions will focus on training participants to use District Plan engagement tools, share feedback, and help spread these tools within your organizations and communities.

Webinar dates (10:00–11:30am):
Thursday, January 22 – Register here
Tuesday, March 10 – Register here

The Park District recognizes that community members and organizations engage with EBRPD in different ways and at different levels. The engagement tools—including a questionnaire and budgeting activity—are designed to support meaningful discussion across those varying levels. While these tools are the primary way to provide input during this phase, feedback is always welcome via email at DistrictPlan@ebparks.org.

Richmondside Reporter Zack Haber covered the North Point Isabel Cap Resilience Project that is being spearheaded by East Bay Regional Parks. Haber spoke with several PIDO board members including Lew Jacobson and AJ Benham.

“Where else can you go with this kind of acreage on the water and let your dog play off-leash?” Benham told Richmondside. “It’s just such a unique combination of a beautiful environment, dogs can play here, and everyone gets along, generally.”

Haber further detailed different perspectives on the project, including from PIDO member Mary Barnsdale and director of conservation for the Golden Gate Bird Alliance, Whitney Grover.

The full story by Haber which also provides critical historical context can be found here.