August 18, 2023
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
SMD Protects Critical Balcerzak Property within Mt. Diablo State Park Save Mount Diablo has purchased the “Balcerzak Inholding” including the most remote house on Mount Diablo.
“We are already working with our valued agency partners, California State Parks and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, to get this land added to Mount Diablo State Park as soon as they can. Our terrific donors have also been reaching out to help MARY NAGLE us,” Clement said. Special to the Pioneer The “Balcerzak Inholding” (known locally by neighbors as On August 8, three weeks “Backhoe Bob’s) property was after signing a purchase agree- listed on a Monday and the Save ment, Save Mount Diablo Mount Diablo team lined up Save Mount Diablo closed escrow and acquired the Board approval, secured a loan, Save Mount Diablo’s “Balcerzak Inholding” is below the 10-acre “Balcerzak Inholding” and took other steps to be in the Knobcone Point Trail in upper Curry Canyon. property for $1,075,000, running for this land acquisition including a two-year, interest- opportunity within a few days. impact resources and can conEvery rural community only loan to cover half the purflict with recreational use. hopes for a neighbor like PRIVATE HOLDINGS chase price. The “Balcerzak The “Balcerzak Inholding” “Backhoe Bob” Balcerzak, A CHALLENGE Inholding” is a small knoll and includes a large log cabin handy, helpful and with a lot of 20,000-acre Mt. Diablo steep slopes nestled in an house, barns and outbuildings tools and heavy equipment. State Park has five inholdextremely rugged side canyon as well as four converging For many years Bob Balcerzak ings—private land surrounded dropping from Knobcone stream canyons and black oaks, helped maintain the fire road by public land. Inholdings are a Point into Curry Canyon, east blue oaks, chaparral, and fire up Curry Canyon. But he was unique opportunity for the of the State Park’s Curry Point. adapted knobcone pine woodalso blustering and protective landowner: isolation, views It includes a log cabin house and spectacular beauty sur- land, near SMD’s 1,080 Curry of his property, actively hikers and other structures. rounded by nature but with Canyon Ranch property three on the adjacent public trail “It is a major deal acquiring special challenges including miles up a steep dirt road from which climbed from the botand protecting one of the few fires, floods, wildlife, privacy Morgan Territory Road closer tom of Curry Canyon and remaining private land inholdconcerns and public recre- to Blackhawk and Danville. dead ended at the neighboring ings within Mount Diablo ational use. From a park There is not a more isolated Bertagnolli property. Save State Park,” said Save Mount agency’s perspective, private house in a more isolated Mount Diablo purchased Diablo Executive Director, Bertagnolli in 2013 and properties within parks create canyon on all of Mt. Diablo. Ted Clement. “Curry Canyon’s side renamed it “Curry Canyon management challenges, canyons are incredible,” said Ranch.” Seth Adams, SMD’s Land ConWORKING TO SAVE MORE servation Director. “We knew Curry Canyon is a special from our Curry Canyon Ranch property just how rich the biodi- high priority acquisition area versity is—we’ve recorded over for Save Mount Diablo. Dia800 species of wildlife there. blo’s main peaks have many There are big rocky sandstone large canyons, such as Pine cliffs, knobcone pine forest just Canyon and Mitchell Canyon, above the property and cultural most with fire roads and regional staging areas with lots sites nearby…” The Balcerzak inholding of parking. Visitors love the wasn’t originally an inholding. easy access and shade in stream It was part of the 6-lot Mann canyons. The exceptions were Save Mount Diablo’s “Balcerzak Inholding” is surrounded subdivision. “Backhoe Bob” Riggs Canyon on Finley Road, by Mt. Diablo State Park near SMD’s Curry Canyon Ranch, Balcerzak purchased one of where East Bay Regional Park southeast of the mountain’s summit. Reached through the lots in 1984 and built a Clayton, it’s closer to Blackhawk and Danville. large log cabin. See SMD, page 7
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2 Land parcels available 5001 Curry Canyon Road SOLD, over list, 4 offers, $1,075,000
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Briones Valley Road, Brentwood Come build your dream home
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Heather Donovan DRE 01329100
925.765.3822 heather.donovan@compass.com
Heather has been a resident of Clayton since 1977. She knows the community like the back of her hand. She is proud to live and work here. Heather's not just your neighbor, she is your neighborhood Realtor and local expert
www.heatherdonovan.com Compass is a licensed real estate broker in California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
