Community

A hotel, a spa, EV parking? New visions for Golden Gate Fields

Residents shared ideas for a waterfront park while pressing to preserve racetrack landmarks and replace revenue for Albany services and schools.

EBRPD general manager Max Korten speaks to the Albany City Council on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at the Albany Community Center. Emilie Raguso/The Berkeley Scanner

A mini-golf course, a swimming clubhouse, a wedding venue: Albany residents shared visions for the future of Golden Gate Fields on Monday night.

Other ideas included a conference center, horse stables, a hotel and even a spa, as residents sought ways to generate new revenue for city services long supported by racetrack taxes — with the property expected to come off the tax rolls if a pending land deal goes through.

It wasn't all about the money. Many people were also excited to help shape the vision for what a significant new park for Albany, Berkeley and the region could be.

More than 100 people showed up at the Albany Community Center, spilling into the hallway, to hear from the East Bay Regional Park District and city officials about plans to turn the former racetrack into a park.

Most just listened, but about 30 people took turns at the mic, in person and online, to share their ideas. More than 400 people tuned in online.

The meeting followed a recent pledge by the state to put $125 million toward the anticipated $175 million purchase of the site by Trust for Public Land, which has been working to close a $30 million gap with the help of philanthropic dollars.

It was also the first chance for the East Bay Regional Park District, represented by general manager Max Korten, to explain how plans have unfolded and answer questions from city officials.

Korten explained that much of the state money, from Proposition 4 climate bond funds, restricted activities to "park uses" — but said that still allowed for flexibility that would be consistent with both state regulations and Albany's own rules.

See the park district presentation about Golden Gate Fields from Monday night.

Some of the money from the state, $53 million from the Wildlife Conservation Board, must focus on restoration, he added, with Codornices Creek among the sites that could benefit.

"Right now, it makes a right-hand turn into basically a ditch that runs out to the bay," he said. "There's an amazing opportunity to potentially restore that creek."

Korten said the purchase of the site must be complete by the end of the year, with the park district taking ownership in the spring, under the current schedule.

One sticking point came down to plans for the demolition of all above-ground buildings at Golden Gate Fields, which Korten said had been a requirement of the deal before East Bay Parks got involved.

Several speakers wanted the racetrack clubhouse, grandstand and smaller historic features to be considered for preservation. Korten said it was likely too late for that.

Council members said they understood it was late in the process but asked him to do what he could to push for the preservation of individual landmarks given his seat at the bargaining table.

Korten also said that, although there is no set timeline for when a new park might open, the park district would like to make amenities available in phases, including more parking at Albany Beach and perhaps some type of food truck program along the way.

Residents also suggested paid parking and electric vehicle charging stations as potential revenue sources.

Members of the crowd look at a park district presentation Monday night. *Emilie Raguso/TBS*

Throughout the night, speakers said they hoped Voices to Vision, an extensive community process focused on Albany's waterfront completed in 2010, could help inform whatever happens at Golden Gate Fields.

During public comment, former City Manager Beth Pollard said about 1,200 people had taken part in the process, expressing support for allowing up to a quarter of the property to be developed, with conference facilities, meeting and event spaces, hotel rooms and restaurants among the leading ideas for development.

How UC Berkeley might be involved in plans also came up several times during the night.

Korten said the park district had toured the site with a UC Berkeley architect, and that he had been in touch with the university's capital projects team and its natural resources dean.

On the subject of finances, Councilman Preston Jordan asked for examples of other park sites that generate revenue.

Korten estimated that Tilden Golf Course generates about $800,000 for the park district annually, adding that " every other concession is less." He also mentioned Tilden's popular steam train, which brings in about $50,000 a year.

Exactly how revenue sharing might work among the parties remains to be seen.

It was standing room only at the Albany Community Center for Monday night's meeting on Golden Gate Fields. *Emilie Raguso/TBS*

In closing remarks, Albany Mayor Peggy McQuaid said local participation and financial needs must remain central to the planning process.

" The community wants to participate, and we will be with you, but we want to be at the table," she said. "It's really important that we develop a plan both for the land, but also for the ongoing revenue that both the city and the school district and Berkeley are going to need."

According to Albany's analysis, the Golden Gate Fields property generates about $1.1 million in special revenues each year for the city and about $700,000 for the Albany Unified School District.

Next steps

The Albany City Council is set to meet Monday, Oct. 5, to discuss financial impacts of the Golden Gate Fields deal. (The agenda has not been published.)

On Oct. 20, the EBRPD board is set to vote on the proposed purchase agreement.