PIDO to write history of Point Isabel for EBRPD
Point Isabel Dog Owners and Friends (PIDO) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Regional Parks Foundation to document the history of Point Isabel, in advance of Point Isabel’s 50th anniversary in 2025.
The grant will fund photo rights, cartography, design, layout, and other development costs. PIDO board member Mary Barnsdale will research and develop the material – which may become a book or online story map – for free, working closely with EBRPD Archives.
The Point Isabel area is rich historically. It has included Ohlone settlements, a Mexican rancho, a commercial ferry landing, a dynamite factory, a frog farm, and a gentleman’s shooting club. It was a place where raw sewage was pumped into San Francisco Bay.
In April 1975, USPS and EBRPD signed a 50-year lease for an L-shaped fringe of landfill around the postal facility. That became Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.
PIDO Member Exclusive: employee store discounts
Back by popular demand, the Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store in Richmond is again opening its doors for a limited time to Point Isabel Dog Owners members.
From November 25 through December 18, PIDO members will get steep discounts on Columbia Sportswear, Prana, Sorel and Mountain Hardwear brands apparel and gear at the Richmond store.
If you’re already a PIDO member, you will receive instructions in The PIDO Pointer Winter newsletter (being mailed in late November) on how to take advantage of this exclusive discount — use any PIDO Pointer with your address (back page) as proof of affiliation and be sure to download this invitation flyer.
You may take four guests. The store is located at 1414 Harbour Way near the Rosie the Riveter Museum and Craneway Pavilion in Richmond.
Barktoberfest is happening Oct. 30
PIDO’s famous Barktoberfest dog costume contest and parade is Sunday, October 30, noon to 2 pm, in the field next to (north of) Mudpuppy’s/Sit & Stay Café at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.
The costume contest is free for PIDO members, $5 for nonmembers. (You can join on the spot. A lifetime PIDO membership is just $10 to $20.) The parade and festive atmosphere are free for everyone.
The short parade along the shoreline begins at 1 pm, followed by judging, prizes, and photos of winners.
Prize categories are Small Dog (up to around 20 lbs.), Medium Dog (around 20 to 45 lbs.) and Big Dog (45 pounds and up). The grand prize includes a custom pet portrait by Olive Little. The celebrity judges this year include East Bay Regional Park District Director Elizabeth Echols and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia.
Read what the news media is writing about Point Isabel and PIDO…
"Sunday Getaway to Point Isabel Regional Shoreline"
San Francisco Chronicle, 1 December 2019,
"Halloween comes early for Richmonders, dogs at Point Isabel"
Richmond Confidential, 30 October 2019
"The Most Epic Dog Parks in the U.S."
bringfido.com, 25 June 2019
"The Best Dog Parks in the U.S."
theactivetimes.com, 16 August 2018
"In the Bay Area, there's a community for just about everyone"
East Bay Times, 1 April 2017
"10 of the Coolest Dog Parks Across the U.S."
vetstreet.com, 13 June 2016
"Keeping dogs off leash: East Bay owners join fight"
East Bay Times, 18 April 2016
"Dog-friendly parks throw pet owners a bone"
San Francisco Chronicle, 21 April 2016
"Great Dog Parks: Point Isabel, CA"
The Bark, Fall 2014
"Dog Lovers Get Creative at Barktoberfest"
Patch.com, 29 October 2011
"A Bark for the East Bay Park Directors"
Dogtrekker.com, 5 January 2011
"Mudpuppy's at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline"
San Francisco Chronicle (video by columnist Tom Stienstra)
Video collage: Five photography students and their teacher, Stephanie Mohan of Creative Portraiture in Fairfax, took some great photos of dogs and people at Point Isabel during summer 2017.
Point Isabel Dog Owners publishes The PIDO Pointer three times a year.
