Golden Gate Fields horse racetrack could become new East Bay waterfront park

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Horse racing ended at Golden Gate Fields in 2024. The land is for sale. So, what comes next?

"We are excited for the residents of the area that have another space that they can call home and be proud of," says Juan Altamirano, Director of Government Affairs for the national, nonprofit Trust Public Land.

The group announced on Tuesday that they secured an option agreement to buy Golden Gate Fields, a legally binding contract that gives them the exclusive right to purchase a property. It would then transfer the property to the East Bay Regional Park District.

"It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform 161 acres of shoreline parks and into a space that one can enjoy," says East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Elizabeth Echols, who represents Ward 1.

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The racetrack sits along a prominent stretch of the East Bay shoreline. It is one of the largest remaining opportunities to expand public access to the San Francisco Bay.

Trust for Public Land believes it has the only offer, possibly because of how the area is zoned.

"We don't anticipate housing or a lot of commercial development," says Echols.

The East Bay Regional Park District says the money being raised to buy the land also comes with restrictions on how the land can be developed.

"I think it is important for us to share, it is constrained vision. I mean it will be largely focused, the majority of this property will be on parks and habitat restoration," says Allison Brooks, Assistant General Manager of External Affairs with the East Bay Regional Park District.

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Altamirano says climate change is another reason why this is not a good place for commercial or housing projects.

"With sea level rise continuing to be a factor for the Bay Area, placing housing in this space makes it almost untenable to have the quality of life and living conditions that are necessary," explains Altmirano.

Soil contamination has been raised as a concern in the area surrounding Golden Gate Fields. But the East Bay Regional Park District says that likely is not a problem.

"Fortunately, most of this land was created by other land. It doesn't have the same level of toxic dump that other properties along the shore," suggests Echols.

Trust for Public Land hopes to close by the end of the year. If accepted, that will be followed by meetings and workshops to get public input on how to develop the land.