|
Shoreline Features
The statistics relating to features on the Richmond shoreline are astounding:
- 32 Miles of Shoreline - More than any other city on
San Francisco Bay
- 2,800 Acres of Shoreline Parks - The north and south
extremities of Richmond are anchored by large shoreline parks. Four parks,
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline, Brooks
Island Regional Shoreline and Point Pinole Regional Shoreline have a total
of exactly 2,800 acres, and include beaches, fishing piers, historical and
archaeological sites.
- Richmond Shoreline Trail - There are parts of this in place
already, including the Marina Bay Esplanade, the Marina Bay - Point Isabel
Trail, Wildcat Creek Trail and Access, Point Pinole Regional Park, and
Miller-Knox Regional Park. The City could make the completion and marketing
of these trails a priority, tied in with other waterfront-related
attractions. Events drawing Bay Area-wide attention, such as bicycle races,
runs, festivals, boating events and inn-to-inn hiking could be promoted.
- Historic Landmarks on or Eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places
- Marina Bay/Kaiser Shipyards - At one time this was the
largest production shipyard in the world. With the "Rosie the
Riveter" project, there is finally some public recognition, but much
more could be done, building on the Rosie theme. The City Council has
already authorized National Register and State Historic Landmark
nominations, and the Red Oak Victory has come back to Richmond. There are
some great historical films telling the story of the shipyards. The
migration of African-American shipyard workers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and
Louisiana during the early 1940's is a significant historical event that has
never been fully recognized.
- Ford Assembly Plant - Listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and slated for rehabilitation to include hundreds of
waterfront apartments and offices, this building could include a small
transportation museum. The Richmond Museum already has the first car
produced. Other cars and military vehicles produced here could be could be
collected and exhibited, perhaps as ca part of a theme waterfront
restaurant.
- Point Richmond National Historic District - For years
the City has neglected, fought, and ignored this asset. There are no signs
directing visitors here, no pamphlets showing "walking tours," and
no interpretive exhibits.
- Point Molate National Historic District - Also listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, Point Molate, with its incomparable
waterfront location and easy freeway access can be a true destination spot
if properly developed. The wine-related themes, an inn built around the
winery workers village and its history as a Chinese shrimp camp are already
suggested ideas that have a lot of promise. There is a related opportunity
to tie in the entire Point San Pablo Peninsula as an integrated recreation
attraction with waterfront trails, hiking in open space, historical
interpretive exhibits featuring the sardine canneries, petroleum products
shipping, the whaling station and East Brother Light Station.
- East Brother Light Station - This attraction is an example
of how an historic property in Richmond can be a successful tourist
attraction. For the last 15 years, east Brother has operated as a successful
bed and breakfast inn, charging nearly $300 per night per room for dinner,
bed and breakfast. The island is listed on the National Register oof
Historic Places and is a California Registered Historic Landmark.
- Sailing - Richmond has four yacht and boating clubs,
the best known and largest of which is the Richmond Yacht Club. The Richmond
Yacht Club produces world-class competitive sailors, hosts international
sailing competitions, and teaches young people to sail - some of who go on
to become Olympic class competitors. There is little recognition of boating
and sailing by the City and little recognition of what Richmond has to offer
in the media.
- Islands - Richmond has four islands, more than any other
city on San Francisco Bay -- Brooks Island, Red Rock Island, East Brother
Island and West Brother Island. An Islands of Richmond theme, built
around boating, sailing, wildlife viewing, hiking, etc., could become a
powerful marketing slogan
|
