Ardenwood goes cashless this week

The East Bay Regional Park District starts cashless fee collection at five more sites on Wednesday, April 29, including Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. (ebparks.org) The other four are Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore, Sunol Regional Wilderness in Sunol, and the North Shore and South Shore marinas at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. (ebparks.org) At those locations, on-site fees such as parking, boating and daily fishing permits will be paid by major credit card or tap-to-pay instead of cash. The district said a 30-day grace period will follow the switch. (ebparks.org) (localnewsmatters.org) Ardenwood is different from most regional parks because it also charges farm admission, with adult entry ranging from $4 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays to $6 on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays during the historic season. (ebparks.org) The district framed the change as a summer operations move, saying visitors should plan ahead before arriving at parks with staffed booths, kiosks or marina payment points. (ebparks.org) This is not the district’s first cashless conversion. Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in Fremont and Roberts Regional Recreation Area in Oakland had a cashless kiosk pilot extended through Dec. 31, 2025. (fremontrealestate.blogspot.com) (myemail.constantcontact.com) The 2026 fee schedule supplement still lists Ardenwood among parks with paid entry and says holders of California State Parks Distinguished Veteran Passes receive free entry there, except during special events. (ebparks.org) For families heading to Ardenwood this week, the practical change is simple: bring a card or phone to pay, because cash is no longer part of the line. (ebparks.org)