The first episode of the season dives into public use of the park. Since the district was formed in 1934, it has acquired 125,000 acres that span 73 parks. The episode begins with the role that one special volunteer-turned-employee played in convincing ranchers and landowners to sell their property to be preserved by the park district. Without the work of this man, and others like him, the public would not have access to this land. This includes the local equestrian community, whom we hear from in the rest of the episode, exploring how the district became a haven for horse lovers. This episode includes interviews with Judy Irving, Don Staysa, Judi Bank, and Becky Carlson who are part of the East Bay Regional Park District Parkland Oral History Project. To learn more about these interviews, visit the Oral History Center’s website.This episode was produced by Shanna Farrell and Francesca Fenzi. A special thanks to the East Bay Regional Park District, especially Beverly Ortiz and Brenda Montano. Photos from the Bob Walker Collection at the Oakland Museum of California. All music by Blue Dot Sessions:“Dorica Theme” “A Palace of Cedar”