The Eastshore State Park (ESP) should provide appropriate public access, further environmental awareness and protect and restore valuable natural resources.

I - GENERAL POLICIES TO GUIDE ESP PLANNING

1. Land and water habitats should be protected and enhanced.. Planning for the park should include the identification and designation of natural preserves and environmentally significant areas and the preservation, restoration and enhancement of ecologically valuable areas, including riparian and other habitats.

2. Conservation activities such as wetland restoration and ecological studies should be encouraged.

3. Manmade facilities should be kept to a minimum and be park related.

4. Open space, public access and recreational uses should be major elements of the park.

5. Other uses must not impair the open space character of the waterfront.

6. Views of the Bay and the hills from the shoreline should be preserved.

7. The Richmond, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland waterfronts should not be planned in isolation, but planned together as an integrated waterfront through cooperative efforts.

8. A safe and secure environment should be provided for children and adults.

9. The Park should benefit the people of the region as a whole.

II - GENERAL LAND USE POLICIES

1. The Park should provide recreational opportunities for the diverse population, including all incomes, races, sexes and abilities.

2. Ecologically valuable plant and animal habitats should be preserved and restored. New habitats in suitable areas should be developed. Nature Preserve areas should be designated.

3. A continuous Bay Trail system which accommodates safe and convenient use by pedestrians, the disabled and bicyclists, with spur trails to special points of interest should be provided.

4. An unbroken stretch of open space along the shoreline should be preserved.

5. Public access in all waterfront areas where access will not adversely impact wildlife habitats should be provided. The recreational and cultural values of access must be subordinated to the needs of wildlife and native plants.

6. Areas which require special management or regulation because of hazards such as unstable or contaminated soil, flooding, ecological fragility, seismic danger, or other special conditions should be identified.

7. Motorized vehicle use (other than wheelchairs and maintenance vehicles) should be prohibited anywhere in the park, except on designated roads.

8. Parking should be away from the shore. There should be drop-off areas near the shore for the elderly and disabled.

9. There should be safe, quiet, convenient and reliable public transit and other alternatives to private auto use, in order to reduce pollution and need for parking.

10. The water quality of the Bay and the air quality of the region should be enhanced, not degraded..

11. Beaches as a recreational resource should be protected and enhanced, and their natural formation encouraged.

12. Understanding of natural and cultural history should be encouraged through interpretive facilities.

13. Picnic and recreational sites should be designated.

14. A variety of recreational opportunities compatible with these goals and policies, including multi-use, unstructured playing fields, should be provided.

15. Appreciation of the natural features and beauty of San Francisco Bay should be promoted.