What is Breuner Marsh?
The Breuner Marsh is one of the last remaining open spaces on the Richmond shoreline. The views of the bay from the Breuner property are absolutely breathtaking and the marsh and upland prairie that surround it are critical, both in terms of the ecological benefits they provide as well as the cultural significance to people using the shoreline access for fishing. The Breuner property is also home to certain endangered species. The marsh is a priceless asset to Richmond as a whole and to the community of Parchester Village specifically.
Why is Breuner Marsh and Parchester Village important?
Parchester Village, the predominantly African American community that is next to the Breuner property, was developed in 1950 by Fred Parr. It was the first African American subdivision in the area at a time when it was incredibly difficult for African American families to find decent housing. The original inhabitants of the community were promised by Mr. Parr that the Breuner property would remain open space for the benefit of the public. That promise has been threatened on numerous occasions since the founding of the community, and most recently with the proposed development of the South East quarter of the property.
The North Richmond Shoreline has been shut off from community access.
Check out the new article on community efforts to ensure community-based, environmental planning in North Richmond!
Progressive Planning, the magazine of the Planners Network, devoted the entire Fall 2006 issue to "Water and Social Justice"
Read the article (PDF)
Visit the Progressive Planning website |
View PDF's of a wonderful article on local activist Whitney Dotson in the LA Times magazine!
Article page 1 2 3 4
Community Victory
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) chose to use Section 5542 of California’s Public Resources Code to acquire Breuner Marsh through eminent domain. In the case of Breuner Marsh, EBRPD will buy this property from the current private developer to create a public park and keep open-space in the community. The Marsh will be connected with Point Pinole and the community would have access to both open-space areas. Community residents are now fighting to save the entire North Richmond Shoreline corridor and have developed the following vision for the North Richmond Shoreline:
COMMUNITY VISIONS FOR NORTH RICHMOND SHORELINE
A plan for North Richmond Natural Shoreline and Neighborhood Economic and Housing Opportunity
The Richmond community values accessible natural shoreline and vistas as expressed in California Law:
1. Enhance the natural area objectives of 1973 Richmond Coastline Plan to replace the current specific designations in the General Plan.
2. Coordinate Agency protection and enhancement of the integrity of shoreline resources West of the Richmond Parkway.
3. Coordinate Agency protection and enhancement of wetland and coastal upland wildlife habitats.
4. Provide long term protection of Public Trust requirements.
5. Provide long term earthquake and climate change planning.
6. Create accessible and safe trail links
The Richmond community values neighborhood scale mixed economic and housing infill development within a Parkfront Community and Economic Opportunity Zone west of the Richmond Parkway and Railroad:
1. Develop locally owned infill affordable neighborhood scale housing.
2. Enhance locally owned small business development.
3. Emphasize healthy green businesses and green building.
4. Link all land use plans to local training, education and economic development which causes no displacement of residents or business.
|
