HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08142012 - C.15RECOMMENDATION(S):
ADOPT Resolution No. 2012/338 resolving that it is appropriate and desirable that a monument to the Crespi-Fages
Exploration of 1772 be erected at a prominent and suitable place in eastern Contra Costa County to mark the first
contact between Europeans and Contra Costa County's indigenous people and a turning point in the county's history
and culture, as recommended by Supervisor Glover.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The Delta de Anza Regional Trail is named to commemorate the route taken by Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de
Anza during his 18th-century expedition into the Delta region of today's eastern Contra Costa County. However, four
years earlier, the first foray of Europeans into the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay area was undertaken by
Father Juan Crespi and Captain Pedro Fages.
During this lesser known exploration, first contact was made with the indigenous people living near the northern
shore
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 08/14/2012 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
ABSENT:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Contact: Ed Diokno, 925-427-8138
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: August 14, 2012
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: STACEY M. BOYD, Deputy
cc:
C. 15
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
Date:August 14, 2012
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:ADOPT Resolution No. 2012/338 recommending establishment of a monument for the Fages-Crespi Exploration of
1772
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
of what is now Contra Costa County. It was a watershed moment that led to the Christianization and demise of
native peoples and their culture and the eventual growth of European influence in the culture and history of
Contra Costa County.
Traveling eastward, the Crespi-Fages exploration paused at a hillside (speculated by historians to be at the current
Willow Pass) overlooking the northern shoreline of eastern Contra Costa all the way to the Delta. They traveled
further east to a creek near Antioch before turning back. Reports from the Crespi-Fages exploration were crucial
in convincing Spain's King Carlos to advance colonization of the San Francisco Bay region and approve further
expeditions by Spanish explorers.
One of those later expeditions, led by explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, followed in the footsteps of the
Crespi-Fages Exploration. De Anza eventually traveled farther east until he reached what is known as the Delta of
the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The paved, multi-use hiking, bicycling and equestrian trail now in use and
maintained by the East Bay Regional Park District currently spans over 15 miles of the planned 25-mile length.
What is now known as the Delta de Anza Regional Trail offers recreation opportunities and is an alternative
transportation (pedestrian and bicycle) corridor connecting communities in central and eastern Contra Costa
County. It provides access to regional and community parks, many schools, Ambrose Park in Bay Point and Los
Medanos Community College in Pittsburg. The community parks have play areas for children and are excellent
rest stops during longer trips, providing restrooms, drinking water and picnic facilities. When completed, the De
Anza trail will generally follow the East Bay Municipal Utility District's corridor and the Contra Costa Water
District's canal then follow Marsh Creek where it flows into the Delta near Oakley.
Unfortunately, at no point in the eastern Contra Costa County length of the trail is there a marker or monument
explaining the significant role that Fagis-Crespi exploration played, its historical and cultural significance and
how it eventually led to more extensive and better known de Anza expedition.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
There would be no record of support from the Board of Supervisors for the monument.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not Applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 2012/338
Resolution No. 2012/338