South Park Drive is going off-limits to cars once again to make way for the annual newt migration. Starting from November 1 and stretching through the winter until March 31, 2026, this closure is part of an ecological effort to provide a safe passage for the newts during their breeding season. The East Bay Regional Park District announced that while vehicles are prohibited, the road remains open for pedestrians, cyclists, and dog walkers. However, they're advised to keep pets away from the newts, which are toxic when ingested.
With the roadway free of motor traffic, Tilden Park transforms into a crawler’s paradise for the California newt, Taricha torosa, and its slightly less common cousin, the rough-skinned newt, Taricha granulosa. According to an announcement from the East Bay Regional Park District, these amphibians are in for quite the journey, with some capable of returning to their home stream from as far away as 2.5 miles. Cyclists are encouraged to slow down and watch for the newts, which tend to take their sweet time getting from A to B.
Despite not being on the threatened species list, the newt population has declined, primarily due to habitat loss. The closure of South Park Drive is just one of the measures the Park District has taken since the mid-1980s to protect these small, moist-skinned creatures. “The Park District is committed to making parklands accessible to visitors, while also protecting sensitive species in our urban landscape,” the East Bay Regional Park District stated. This annual initiative is a testament to their long-standing dedication to conserving local wildlife.
Ecological awareness doesn't stop at road closures, however. Park goers are reminded not to collect any wildlife and to proceed with caution around the Regional Parks Botanic Garden on Wildcat Canyon Road, a hotspot for traveling newts.
