Public Comment

(A letter to those who love the Marina, and to the Berkeley City Council, Berkeley’s City Manager, and Berkeley’s Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Commission, PRW)

Having lived in Berkeley for 45 years, I am very distressed about the commercial developments being proposed for Berkeley’s Marina, including Cesar Chavez Park and the Native Plants Area. The proposed Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan is highly problematic. First of all, there is a legal covenant dating from 1976 and 1977 that declares that the land should be used “for unstructured recreation.” The City of Berkeley does not own the land that makes up the Marina. the State of California owns it. The City holds it in trust. The California State Lands Commission administers State lands held in trust. This land use covenant was confirmed by Berkeley City Council Resolution No. 47,935-NS in May 1976, confirmed verbatim in the Master Plan in 1977, and in all subsequent conceptual and specific planning documents.

My following comments address the significance of the Marina to visitors, to wildlife, birds, insects, and the importance of native plants.

Resident birds and other wildlife need native habitat in order to survive, to feed, and to raise their young. In North America, bird populations have seen a decline of 30% since 1970, a problem that is also global. Migrating birds need urban parks as stopovers in which to rest and feed during their migrations covering many thousands of miles. Why should we care? Our very survival depends upon a healthy and diverse ecosystem that includes birds, insects, and other wildlife.

About the Native Plants Area: don’t even think of demolishing it. This proposal is an outrageously rude insult to the many volunteers who have spent thousands of hours over forty (40) years planting and nurturing the area. They have been transitioning the land from a dump to a life-giving habitat for wildlife, pollinators, and birds. What we need is a larger area for native plants.

We people need parks that are unstructured in which to restore our emotional and mental health. Nature is the city-dweller’s lifeline, now more than ever. In our current economy, with job loss and inflated prices for the basics of food, housing, and transportation, we all need free public places in nature where we can get a breather from all the stress of a commercialized world. 

The Adventure Playground on the south side of the Marina should continue to provide kids ways to play and learn. Don’t pave it over. 

I presume the initial financing of the proposed commercial venture would be by investors and the City of Berkeley, all of whom would expect a return on their investment. People using the reconstructed area would be expected to pay, when the area has already been funded by taxpayer dollars and thousands of volunteer hours. Additionally, most people are really struggling with finances, and need a place to recreate without paying fees. Places that are transformed into concert venues and stadiums have a limited lifespan. Take note of the Oakland Coliseum and its years long woes with financing 

The beauty of a natural area like Berkeley’s Marina is that its lifespan is an ongoing continuum, responding to the interrelationships of the plants, birds, wildlife, insects, and people in a healthy ecosystem. Changing, yes, and full of life. 

I urge you (Councilmembers, Commissioners, and City Manager) to respect the Berkeley Marina and its significance to people and all of wildlife. Do not proceed any further in planning to commercialize this area. For those who are eager to provide financing, please direct those funds to the sorely needed infrastructure projects in Berkeley that are ready and waiting with open hands. 

All of us who care need to join the PRW Commission’s zoom meeting this Wednesday, July 13 at 7 PM to speak for up to two minutes, during Public Comment and/or Item 9: Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan, regarding the proposed development and commercialization. 

https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2022-03-16-FINAL-Mtg_deck-CW2-Deck_0.pdf 

For more information, go to chavezpark.org. and <savecc6@gmail.com> 

PS: For those of you interested in learning more about bird migration, I highly recommend A World on the Wing, by Scott Weidensaul.