After 30 years of operation, the Walnunt Creek Nature Park was in need of a renovation.  The City of Baldwin Park hired RDG to design the rehabilitation and restoration of this nature area.  RDG developed a new planting plan, bioswales, renovation of the City’s dramatic shade structure, a new bridge, trail re-alignment, and nature play features.

RDG designed landscape improvements to the City of Albany's mile-long stretch of the Ohlone Greenway centered around a new plaza, street crossing, nature play, and exercise area.

At the entrance to the 702-acre open space, RDG designed a staging area, picnic area, and entry plaza.

At Kottinger Creek Park, RDG designed a creek restoration project that reflected the aesthetic and security values of the surrounding suburban neighborhood.  Through a series of community meetings, RDG crafted a design approach that maintained sight lines, provided creek access, and converted what was essentially a grass-lined ditch into a thriving stream and floodplain ecosystem.  Small foot bridges replaced culverts and songbirds returned to inhabit the restored floodplain.  As a result, Kottinger Creek Park has become a valued neighborhood amenity and frequent destination for school field trips. 

To ensure that the project continued to meet the aesthetic and restoration values of the community, RDG prepared a Management & Maintenance Guide for city staff, volunteers, and contractors.

Along with a trail and creek restoration, RDG designed a 1,500-foot greenway complete with outdoor classrooms , interpretive signage, and gathering places.

El Cerrito’s northern entry was converted from the former BNSF rail line into an extension of the popular Ohlone Greenway.  The restoration of Baxter Creek created riparian habitat and an outdoor laboratory.  A civic park now welcomes visitors to the Greenway.  Gathering spaces anchor the site, and offer access to the creek, while interpretive programming tells the story of this community restoration project.

Arroyo Viejo Creek runs through Knowland Park at the Oakland Zoo.  RDG designed an environmental education program and outdoor learning center.  From the remnants of felled eucalyptus, RDG created four outdoor classroom council rings for teachers and students to learn about watersheds.  The adjacent Oakland Zoo Environmental Education Center uses the site as a part of their youth education program.

RDG redesigned Davis Park to provide space for the newly daylighted portion of Wildcat Creek.  To do this the existing ball fields, paths and lighting were removed and replaced with new amenities to provide an updated park as well as a restored creek corridor.

RDG designed the rehabilitation of the regional trail and the restoration of the flood control channel near the mouth of Pinole Creek.  The project builds on a decade of RDG involvement in the Pinole Creek Watershed.  RDG led the vision planning process, designed the greenway master plan, and authored the grant that secured over $2 million for the City of Pinole.