The Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation works to preserve and enhance Walnut Creek's nearly 3000 acres of open space and to educate area residents so that they can enjoy this wonderful resource.

Description:
The Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation is a non-profit organization registered with the State of California that works to preserve and restore open space land owned and operated by the cities of Walnut Creek and Concord California. Members support these activities through their membership dues and through their work in the Foundation's activities. Non members are also welcome to participate in Foundation work projects. The Foundation is a purely volunteer organization with no paid staff and very low expenses.

History:
In 1974 the citizens of Walnut Creek voted to set aside approximately 2,500 acres of rolling, oak-dotted grassland as permanent open space for the enjoyment of all. These undeveloped ridgelands were purchased with the proceeds of a bond issue with the intent that they remain in a near-natural state in perpetuity. The voters also created a mechanism to protect and administer these open space lands, at first through a Contra Costa County Special District and later through a department of the city of Walnut Creek. An open space ranger was employed as the first steward of these impressive properties, the first "city ranger" in the nation.

In 1979 the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit, tax-deductible organization to promote the enhancement and protection of the open space lands, and to inform the public of the educational and recreational opportunities to be found within the four recreation areas that had been established. The original incorporators were: Audrey Bramhall, Gary Ginder, Robert Jasperson, Hardy Miller and Marlene White.

Contact people:

Bill Hunt, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Ralph Kraetsch, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

PO Box 309 Walnut Creek, CA 94597