I love the rain.  It allows me the excuse to relax and do nothing (if I can).

The only thing I don’t like is the mess that comes with the rain – 3 dogs, 12 paws can track in a lot of mud!

Jessica Woodard writes about Albany Bulb:

Something to do with all this Sun!

Photo: Examiner.com

The removal of “Safety Hazards” is being done  “to create a safer environment, and increase the usable area of The Bulb through the removal of exposed concrete and rebar that are remnants of this former landfill, and through the removal of noxious weeds, planting of native species and habitat restoration.”

The Albany Bulb is included in the Eastshore State Park Plan, however, it  is till owned by the city of Albany. In the  Eastshore State Park Plan the Bulb is designated  “Conservation” and contains policies to protect and enhance upland habitat for wildlife. Policies related to the Bulb are as follows:

…”develop and implement a program for the removal of safety hazard associated with construction debris on the surface of the Neck and Bulb… Break up large concrete and construction debris to improve appearance, reduce safety hazards, etc. ”

Restoration Project Information Sheet :

Contact Name: Ann Chaney – achaney@albanyca.org
Project Partners, East Bay Regional Park District (contact info: Brad Olson – bolson@ebparks.org) and Citizens for an Eastshore State Park (contact info: Patricia Jones – eastshorepark@hotmail.com)
Estimate: $250,000 ($8,000/day over 30 working days)

Read full Project Description PDF: http://www.albanyca.org/archive/pdf/042108_8-1_A1AlbBulbSaftyHazRem.pdf

Photo Copyright: Jill Posener

Jill Posener posted a great article on her blog – Albany Bulb RIP and a wonderful collection of photos dating back some 10 years where she shares her experiences about a place where she felt she and “many others, could pretend, as we ambled along an unkempt trail a mile into the Bay, that we were still living free”.

It was great to look back in time at a place I discovered just by chance some 8 years ago. But it also felt like I was saying goodbye.

In those 8 years I haven’t missed but one or two days of my morning walks with Toby and Cody. It was my place to get away – a place where I could either find solitude in the endless winding trails or hang out with friends on the beach or plateau. There was always something new and different -  from the gorgeous bay views to strange messages found carved into driftwood.  But that is the Bulb – beautifully, strange – a unique place of imagination and discovery.