1954 Oakland CA East Bay Regional Parks Motorcycle Area - 1-Page Vintage Article

Description

1954 Oakland CA East Bay Regional Parks Motorcycle Area - 1-Page Vintage Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
THE East Bay cities of Greater Oakland have a system
of parks extending almost twenty miles in the Oakland
hill area called the East Bay Regional Parks. Under the
able direction of Mr. Richard E. Walpole, the Park Board
has developed this area with picnic grounds, horse trails,
swimming pools, play grounds, and many other varied fa-
cilities. In 1952 the Park Board acquired a ten-square-mile
area known as the Grass Valley tract, above East Oakland.
Bud Dutot, representing the Oakland Motorcycle Club, ap-
proached Mr. Walpole with a proposal for a motorcycle
playground. Mr. Walpole, realizing the need of such a
playground, presented this proposal to the Park Board and
to the local Horsemen’s Association, and got their approval.
The Oakland Motorcycle Club, because of their fine or-
ganization and their hundred percent membership in the
A.V.P., had the approval of the Oakland Police Depart-
ment and the city fathers, for their playground.
In November of 1953, after more than a year of prelim-
inary work. Bud Dutot formed a committee of Oakland
Motorcycle members. Together with Windy Lindstrom and
John Nelson, member of the Oakland Acorns, Mr. Dutot
met with Mr. Walpole and his Grass Valley superintendent,
Mr. Adams, to lay out a section for use by the Motorcycle
Club. Cutting of trails and posting of signs began in the
spring and the park was opened to motorcycles in mid-June.
The area, although rather small—one-quarter mile wide and
a little over two miles long—will be expanded soon. There
are now about six miles of trails, and a practice hill and
picnic grounds are soon to be made.
A new Oakland club—The Rough Riders, represented by
Art Mattos—has joined the Oakland and Acorn Clubs, to
further develop the playground.
These three clubs join in thanking the East Bay Regional
Park Board, and in particular, Mr. Richard Walpole, for
their great contribution to a truly great sport.
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