YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 36
READ THE DAILY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Bond upgrades on the way for Freedom High by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) is getting ready to pull back the curtain on construction of a performing arts center and construction-technology areas at Oakley’s Freedom High School. The project — slated to commence at the end of this month and be completed in January 2021 — is expected to feature a theater with specially designed rooms to accommodate theater and choir classes, as well as separate construction-technology spaces to jumpstart students’ development
in that field. “The performing arts center is something that will benefit the community and our students by using a real stage and having a real theater to be able to practice and use for performing, and the (construction technology addition) will give them another CTE — career technical education — pathway, which will benefit them for moving on to college or their career,” said Freedom Principal Kelly Manke. The construction-technology center — featuring a conventional classroom and a second working classroom for hands-on teaching see Freedom page 30
Fresh off the vine
Staff Writer
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is looking at options to enhance recreational opportunities in East County by extending the popular Marsh Creek Regional Trail. Passing through Oakley, Brentwood and Contra Costa County, the trail currently runs for 9.2 miles from Big Break Regional Shoreline south to Concord Avenue. The EBRPD plan will extend the trail south from the intersection of Vineyards Parkway and Miwok Avenue to Round Valley Regional Preserve, a distance of about 3 miles. According to Sean Dougan, trails development program manager with EBRPD, Shea Builders will
provide a mile-long trail link from Concord Avenue to Miwok Avenue. “The intent of this project is to identify the preferred route for a regional trail from Vineyards Parkway in Brentwood, through or next to John Marsh State Historic Park and all the way to the Round Valley Regional Preserve to the south,” said Dougan. “That leads into Round Valley, and eventually Morgan Territory if we can connect it.” EBRPD developed three different trail alignments, and meetings were held in April and August to gather public input on the designs. Paved and unpaved options were developed for the multi-use trail that will accommodate hikes, bikers and equestrians. One of the principal
SAVE NOW
Ready For The New Year Photo by Melissa van Ruiten Photography
A
ntonio Diaz and Ernie Hernandez, of Diaz Farms, show off their variety of fresh grapes at the Oakley Farmers Market. The market made its debut Sunday, Sept. 1. Located in Civic Center Plaza on Main Street, the market will be held weekly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
features of the trail will be a safe way to get trail users across busy Marsh Creek Road. “A real part of this study is how are we going to get across Marsh Creek Road,” Dougan. “The state park is on the north side, (and) the Round Valley Regional Preserve is on the south. What is being suggested is a tunnel underneath the road. People drive way too fast on that road, so people crossing at grade does not seem like a safe option. Building a bridge over it is far more expensive.” The trail will run through either the John Marsh State Historic Park property or through Contra Costa County Flood Control District land, and that requires the cooperation of a wide variety of interests. While
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The View From Above
The Press’ own Kyle Szymanski shares an up-close look at his first skydiving adventure. Page 6
Marsh Creek Trail extension on the table by Tony Kukulich
September 6, 2019
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the state park has not yet opened to the public, there appear to be opportunities that would be mutually beneficial for the trail and park. “They’re very interested in the fact that we want to build an interpretive stop (in Marsh Creek State Historic Park),” said Rick Lemyre, executive director of the John Marsh Historic Trust. Lemyre suggested that bringing visitors to the state park property could motivate the state to fully open the park. “The guys on the ground, the rangers, the maintenance people – they want that park open,” said Lemyre. While EBRPD is attemptsee Trail page 30
BART Signs
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
BART riders will soon see improved features to digital platform signs systemwide.
Local group of residents donates backpacks and supplies for students. Page 7
New Stolen Bases Record
Former Heritage baseball star Gio Diaz breaks summer league stolen bases record. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Education................................7 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................14 Opinion..................................20 Pets of the week...................8 Sports.....................................21
Weather Page
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
PG&E has launched a new weather page for localized, detailed forecasts.