Isherwood Park (located at Isherwood Way and Quarry Lakes Drive) is now temporarily closed through the winter for necessary improvements and maintenance. The goals of this work are to improve and protect the park’s waterway from environmental hazards, reduce fire risks, and restore park and trail access for all visitors. Planning for the temporary closure of the park began in mid-2025 and is a joint effort of the City of Fremont, the City of Union City, the Alameda County Water District, and East Bay Regional Parks.

As part of the park closure, the City of Fremont and the City of Union City provided relocation support to everyone residing in Isherwood Park, working closely with partnering nonprofit service providers. The park closure was implemented in phases to ensure that everyone received the relocation support they needed before the park fully closed on November 14, 2025. These efforts were conducted in accordance with the City’s standard municipal code, Section 12.20 Parks and Recreation Areas, which generally prohibits remaining in the park overnight.

A team of staff, service providers, and volunteers visited Isherwood Park several times a week since May 2025 to conduct outreach and provide information. Everyone residing in the park was offered relocation assistance options. The two primary options were the City’s Housing Navigation Center (HNC) and Winter Relief Program. Typical stays in these programs span five to six months (sometimes longer) and include supportive, wrap-around services aimed at helping participants find stable housing. Services include nightly meals, enrollment in Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System for access to affordable housing options, referrals to other supportive services, and pet care if needed.

To date, 33 individuals have successfully relocated out of the park:
27 – Winter Relief Program
3 – Housing Navigation Center
1 – Sunrise Village Shelter
1 – Family Reunification
1 – Return to Permanent Supportive Housing Match

In addition, 20 individuals have been referred to the Housing Navigation Center.

Many of the community members transitioning into the City’s shelter programs were able to bring their pets. To date, 37 pets have accompanied their owners into the Winter Relief Program. The City’s Animal Services Division has estimated that approximately 20 cats and kittens remain at the site. The City is partnering with nonprofit rescue organizations and volunteers to help trap all of the remaining cats. The cats will all be evaluated, assessed, and spayed or neutered. The evaluation will help staff better understand their unique personalities so that they can each be placed on individual pathway plans. To date, no dogs appear to be at the site, but Animal Services staff will continue to visit the park in the upcoming days.

Individuals and families who want to learn more about relocation options and make an appointment to speak with someone can contact the following resources:

• Adult Households: Abode Services Housing Resource Center, 4075 Papazian Way, Fremont
  • Call 510-330-5822.
  • Drop in Monday or Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Family Households: City’s Housing Resource Center, Family Resource Center, 39155 Liberty Street, Millennium Room, Fremont
  • Call 510-574-2000.
  • Drop in Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The City understands the Isherwood Park closure has been challenging. We are encouraged that a significant number of individuals have been successfully relocated and are now connected to real opportunities for stable housing. We are grateful for everyone’s cooperation and thank our agency and nonprofit partners for their assistance with these crucial support efforts.

• September 2025 – October 2025
  • Weekly debris removal
  • Weekly outreach visits
  • October 6, 2025 – Enhanced cleanup of unsecured property and hazardous materials (individuals whose personal property was removed have 90 days to reclaim it by calling 510-494-4570)

• November 2025
  • November 3 – No public access and phased closure of the park begins
  • Weekly property tagging and removal
  • Temporary fencing installed around perimeter with signage
  • Continued outreach for relocation support
  • November 14 – Everyone must leave the park premises

Media Coverage

• Fremont starts clearing of large homeless encampment (KTVU)
• Fremont closes park for homeless encampment sweep (NBC Bay Area)
• Fremont closes park for homeless encampment sweep (NBC Bay Area)

Vallejo Mill Historical Park Project

In January 2024, Vallejo Mill Historical Park, located at the northeast corner of Niles Canyon Road and Mission Boulevard, was closed to the public.

In July 2023, the Fremont City Council authorized a reconstruction plan for the park that includes the addition of a dog park and four pickleball courts. The park is anticipated to reopen this summer after the construction is complete.

Before closing the park, the City implemented a comprehensive transition plan to assist the unhoused community members living within the park. The plan included outreach, connection to intensive supportive services, temporary shelter placements, and stable housing options. In addition, the City Council approved an expansion of the City’s Winter Relief program to increase the number of available motel rooms from 30 to 60 to accommodate the estimated number of households living within the park.

Starting in September 2023, City staff and our dedicated community partners—Abode, Bay Area Community Health (BACH), and Bay Area Community Services (BACS)—visited the park multiple times a week to perform individual assessments and start the process of relocating households to available shelter/housing programs. Every household was offered relocation assistance. Approximately 80% of the households were relocated to the City’s Winter Relief program, Housing Navigation Center, or Safe Parking program. Those not receiving assistance decided to leave the park on their own or accept vehicle repair and fuel assistance.

More Information

Park Planning