ABSTRACT
Mount Diablo is Contra Costa County's most prominent natural landmark and the main target of early land preservation efforts. Despite a relatively modest elevation, Mount Diablo is nevertheless taller than the surrounding landscape, creating a spectacular viewshed. In 1934, Contra Costa County was predominantly rural, and the board of supervisors declined to participate in the initial formation of the East Bay Regional Park District, fearing an erosion of the county's tax base. The East Bay Regional Park District has skillfully used its planning process to build public support for open space preservation. The National Park Service manages the Rosie the Riveter / World War II Home Front National Historic Park as well as two national historic sites. To date, more than 100,000 acres of open space have been preserved in Contra Costa County through the East Bay Regional Park District, the California State Park system, other public agencies, and private conservation organizations, and the county itself.
