The East Bay Regional Park District recognized state Sen. Tim Grayson with the 2024 Radke Championing Advocacy Award. Senator Grayson accepted this award at a ceremony at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, near the site of the proposed first public access location for the park in Concord.
The award honors Grayson’s previous work as a member of the California State Assembly where he championed policies that promote active transportation improvements and minimize risk of wildfires, secured $3 million in state funding for development of the South of Bailey Road Staging Area at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, and authored AB 2091, Park District-sponsored legislation to allow public access to preexisting paved and natural surface roads, preexisting trails, and preexisting pathways. AB 2091 was signed into law by the Governor in 2024 after being approved unanimously by the Legislature.
“During his tenure in the Assembly, Tim Grayson has been a great champion and supporter of the East Bay Regional Park District,” said Park District Board President John Mercurio. “The 2024 Radke Championing Advocacy Award recognizes his many years of advocacy for the Park District, including as a Concord City Council Member.”
“Continuing to tell the history at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 is of special importance to the Park District,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “Especially in light of last year’s full exoneration of the Black sailors who were charged with mutiny after the explosion at Port Chicago, the worst home front disaster of World War II. Senator Grayson’s work to secure important funding to create the first public access point to this new park shows his dedication to the parks, the community, and the past. We are so grateful for his leadership and support.”
Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, along with a planned visitor center, will integrate the human history of the site, along with the natural history and outdoor recreational opportunities of the land. The $3 million secured by then-Assemblymember Grayson is inspiring the development of the first formal public access to this new regional park. The Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 Public Access Project seeks to design and construct the new regional park’s first staging area south of Bailey Road. The site will include visitor use facilities such as ADA all-gender restrooms, bike racks, and educational panels to share the park’s important history including the events commemorated by the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.
“Being a huge fan of East Bay Regional Parks, I am so honored to receive the Radke Award today,” said Senator Tim Grayson. “Work like minimizing wildfire risk and increasing and expanding park access – especially to places like Thurgood Marshall Regional Park where we are committed to sharing the civil rights and labor rights history – are deeply important to this community and the constituents of my previous Assembly District. I look forward to seeing these projects grow and continuing to bring support to the people and parks here as a Senator.”
East Bay Regional Park District gives the annual Radke Championing Advocacy Award to an individual who advances state or federal support for the Park District. It is named for the late Ted Radke, a member of the Park District Board of Directors who, at 36 years of service, was the longest-serving board member in the Park District’s 91-year history. Director Radke established the legislative committee of the Board and was doggedly committed to strengthening the Park District’s ties to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
I dislike no other politician more than Grayson, whether city, county, state, or national.
Was he ever a car salesman? His expression looks like he’s getting away with something. 😄