Cull Canyon Regional Park

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18627 Cull Canyon Rd. Castro Valley, California

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area
Q: What is Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area?
A: Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a popular park located in Castro Valley, California, offering a unique experience with its lagoon, sandy beach, and connection to the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail. It's a great spot for families, dog owners, and those seeking outdoor recreation.
Q: What facilities are available at Cull Canyon?
A: The park features a lagoon area with a secondary dam for a swimming area (though dogs are not permitted in the swim facility), picnic areas (reservations required for larger groups), and access to the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail. There are four reservable picnic sites.
Q: Is Cull Canyon suitable for dogs?
A: Dogs are allowed in the park but are not permitted in the fenced swim area. Owners are responsible for their dog’s behavior and compliance with park rules.
Q: How do I make a picnic reservation?
A: Picnic reservations are required for groups of 30 or more. Reservations can be made through the East Bay Regional Park District’s website or by contacting the reservations department at 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757).
Q: What are the park hours?
A: The park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a holiday closure at 6:00 PM.
Q: How much does it cost to visit Cull Canyon?
A: There is no fee for parking. There are no fees for general park access.
Q: Are there any programs or activities offered at the park?
A: The East Bay Regional Park District offers Junior Lifeguard sessions and other activities at Cull Canyon. Check the EBRPD website or call 1-888-EBPARKS for details and registration information.
Q: Where can I find a map of the park?
A: A downloadable map of Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is available on the East Bay Regional Park District website: [https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/maps/Cull_Canyon_20210119.pdf](https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/maps/Cull_Canyon_20210119.pdf)
Q: What is the location of Cull Canyon?
A: Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is located north of I-580, near the Grove Way exit in Castro Valley, California. The address is 18627 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546.
Q: How do I contact the park for reservations or questions?
A: You can contact the park’s reservations department at 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757). Option 2 is for general inquiries and reservations, and option 3, extension 3076, is for specific reservation requests.
Q: What is the park’s history?
A: Cull Canyon was established in 1966 as a Governor’s Design Award-winning landscape feature, originally designed as a lagoon and a unique water feature. The East Bay Regional Park District has been acquiring surrounding land, including the Roddy Ranch and Dainty Ranch, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand regional park access.
Q: What other parks are nearby?
A: Cull Canyon is connected to the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail, which provides access to other regional parks such as Coyote Hills Regional Park and Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.
Q: What are the park’s boundaries?
A: Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is situated on the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail. It connects to other regional parks, including Coyote Hills and Point Pinole. The East Bay Regional Park District manages several large regional parks throughout the East Bay.

About

Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area – Castro Valley, CA Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in Castro Valley, California, offers a unique recreational experience for visitors and their dogs.

Established in 1966 as a Governor’s Design Award-winning landscape feature, the park is distinguished by its lagoon, a sandy beach, and a secondary dam providing an inner swimming area independently of the reservoir’s water level.

Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with a holiday closure at 6:00 PM), Cull Canyon provides a beautiful setting for outdoor activities.

Dogs are permitted in the park, with the exception of the enclosed swim facility.

The park’s location is convenient, situated north of I-580 near the Grove Way exit.

It’s also connected to the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail, offering opportunities for walking, running, and cycling.

The trail extends into Anthony Chabot Regional Park, providing further exploration options.

Facilities include picnic areas outside the swim complex, which require reservations for groups of 30 or more.

Reservations are essential for ensuring space during peak times.

There are four reservable picnic sites at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area.

Alcohol is prohibited within the swim area.

Activities: The primary attraction is the lagoon and its surrounding areas.

Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and simply relaxing on the sandy beach.

The inner swimming area provides a safer option for children and less experienced swimmers.

The park is also a popular spot for dog walking, with many trails and open spaces for canine companions to explore.

Important Information: Park Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Daily, with 6:00 PM holiday closure) Location: 18627 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546 Fees: Fees are subject to change.

Please check the East Bay Regional Park District website ([https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/picnics/cull-canyon](https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/picnics/cull-canyon)) for current rates.

Reservations: Reservations are recommended for picnic areas, especially during weekends and holidays.

Accessibility: The park provides access for visitors with disabilities.

Nearby Attractions: The park is connected to the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail and offers access to Anthony Chabot Regional Park.

Additional Land Acquisition: The East Bay Regional Park District’s expansion efforts extend beyond Cull Canyon.

The District continues to acquire additional land through projects like the Roddy Ranch acquisition (a 1,900-acre parcel east of Castro Valley), the Dainty Ranch acquisition (1,000 acres southwest of Roddy Ranch) and the Hanson Hills property incorporated into the Deer Valley Regional Park.

These expansions contribute to a larger network of regional parks and open spaces.

The EBRPD’s strategic land purchases further enhance the recreational opportunities available to the community.

Historical Context: The park’s development is rooted in the East Bay Municipal District’s (EBMUD) history and its efforts to provide water and create regional parks.

The park's lagoon and surrounding areas represent a significant investment in public space and continue to be a valued resource for the community.

The District’s history is intertwined with the challenges and successes of providing water and open space to the East Bay population.

For more information and to make reservations, please visit the East Bay Regional Park District website: [https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/picnics/cull-canyon](https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/picnics/cull-canyon) or contact the Reservations Department at 1-888-327-2757, option 2.

History

Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area – Castro Valley, CA Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in Castro Valley, California, is a popular park offering recreation opportunities for dogs and visitors.

Established in 1966 as a Governor’s Design Award-winning landscape feature, the lagoon is a unique spot with a sandy beach and a secondary dam created to provide an inner swimming area, independently of the reservoir’s water level.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a holiday closure of 6 p.m.

Dogs are not allowed in the swim facility.

Fees are subject to change.

The park is located north of I-580, near the Grove Way exit, and offers picnic areas outside the swim complex, requiring reservations for groups of 30 or more.

It’s situated on the Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail, connecting to the East Bay Flood Control property.

The park’s establishment stemmed from a desire to create a valuable recreational resource within the burgeoning Castro Valley area.

The initial design focused on integrating a natural lagoon environment with public access, capitalizing on the area’s topography and water resources.

The lagoon’s creation, including the secondary dam, was a key feature intended to provide a safe and enjoyable swimming environment while maintaining water levels in the larger reservoir.

The park’s recognition with a Governor’s Design Award highlighted its innovative design and contribution to the region’s open space offerings.

Throughout its history, Cull Canyon has undergone several expansions and improvements, largely due to the East Bay Regional Parks District’s (EBRPD) ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing open space.

Significant land acquisitions, such as the Roddy Ranch parcel (1,900 acres) and the Dainty Ranch parcel (1,000 acres), have dramatically increased the park’s footprint and created a nearly continuous zone of undeveloped land from Black Diamond Mines Regional Park to Marsh Creek.

These acquisitions were often supported by public funding, including Measure WW bonds and contributions from entities like the City of Fremont.

The EBRPD's strategy involved carefully integrating these new lands into the broader regional park system, further expanding access to open space and recreational opportunities.

Historically, the park’s development was intertwined with the challenges and successes of the East Bay Municipal District (EBMUD).

The district’s initial focus on water supply and distribution shaped the region’s landscape and influenced park development.

Early efforts to manage water resources and deliver water to the area contributed to the creation of initial park features.

However, as the region grew and faced challenges like wildfires, the EBRPD recognized the importance of robust open space preservation and expanded its role in managing the area’s natural resources.

Cull Canyon remains one of several valuable regional parks including Coyote Hills Regional Park, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Regional Shoreline, providing a diverse range of recreational experiences for the East Bay community.

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