The East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors has decided to acquire the 230-acre Roddy Ranch Golf Course.
The acquisition, approved by the Board April 3, is being made in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, which is paying the bulk of the purchase price, according to announcement made by the park district.
Of the $1,955,000 cost, $1,935,000 is being provided by the Conservancy, and the District is paying $20,000, which covers the original purchase option.
In addition, the District is providing $205,000 to buy on-site, non-land property, the statement said.
The total purchase includes a 140-space parking area, three vault toilets, three retention ponds, and existing water and electrical service.
The District funds come from Measure WW, which voters approved 2008.
When joined with previously-acquired Roddy Ranch lands, the golf course will be part of the District’s envisioned Deer Valley Regional Park, according to the statement. That regional park was included in the District’s 2013 master plan, and the purchase brings the future park to 3,254 acres.
Planning for Deer Valley Regional Park is expected to take several years and will require substantial environmental evaluation and community engagement, the statement said.
Turning a majority of the Roddy Ranch and other recently acquired properties into one new contiguous Park District property is a big step toward bringing Deer Valley Regional Park to fruition, the District announcement said.
The 18-hole golf course issued an announcement Aug. 11, 2016, that it was closing after 16 years of operation.
Since then, many of the golf course greens and fairways have reverted to a more natural state, the park district announcement said. The golf course property and surrounding former Roddy Ranch properties, will continue to be grazed to manage vegetation and reduce fire risks.
Deer Valley Regional Park is expected to protect habitat and expand recreational opportunities in East Contra Costa County, the announcement said.
“The golf course property is the final step in acquiring Roddy Ranch, previously planned for development, and securing it as permanent open space for the community’s enjoyment,” said East Bay Regional Park District Director Colin Coffey.
“Acquisition of the former golf course property is a unique opportunity to enhance public access in East Contra Costa County,” Coffey said. “The property also includes existing infrastructure and utility services which will help accelerate development of the future Deer Valley Regional Park.”
“Assembling the Roddy Ranch properties and bringing them to public use was a decades-long effort,” said Robert Doyle, East Bay Regional Park District general manager.
“Thank you to the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, which is such an important and valuable partner in protecting and preserving open space in East Contra Costa County,” Doyle said in gratitude for the acquisition. “Thank you also to Donna and Jack Roddy for preserving this beautiful area and being good stewards of their property for so long.”
