Share this:

Congratulations to Greenbelt Alliance’s very own Board President John Chapman on receiving Sustainable Contra Costa‘s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is a testament to John’s dedicationThe transfer of property from private to public ownership. Dedications for roads, parks, school sites, or other public uses often are made conditions for approval of a development by a city or county. to sustainabilityCommunity use of natural resources in a way that does not jeopardize the ability of future generations to live and prosper. and his efforts toward making the Bay Area an even better place to live. Cheers to you, John!

From Sustainable Contra Costa’s profile on John:

For the past 25 years, John Chapman has played a key role in conserving our open spaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. and the quality of lifeQuality of life is not a tangible thing, and so cannot be measured directly. It consists of both physical and psychological components. The physical includes such aspects as health, diet, and protection against pain and disease. The psychological includes stress, worry, pleasure, and other positive or negative emotional states. in Contra Costa. In the 1990′s, John led a coalition to oppose the sprawling Dougherty Valley development. He was instrumental in conserving Cowell Ranch, which will be enjoyed for generations as the new John Marsh State Park. John successfully fought a toll freewayA high-speed, high-capacity, limited-access transportation facility serving regional and county-wide travel. Such roads are free of tolls, as contrasted with "turnpikes" or other "toll roads" that are now being introduced into Southern California. Freeways generally are used for long trips between major land use generators. At level of service E, they carry approximately 1,875 vehicles per lane per hour, in both directions. Major streets cross at a different grade level. around the eastern side of Mt. Diablo. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Greenbelt Alliance since 2010, leading that organization’s efforts to protect open spaces and create vibrant cities in Contra Costa.

Long before the local food movement was popular, John understood the importance of Contra Costa farms. In the 1990′s, he worked closely with the City of Brentwood and local farmers to raise over $12 million dollars that has been used to permanently protect family farms in East Contra Costa County. While serving on the boards of the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust and the Richmond Community Foundation, John created a collaboration of the two, the Richmond Farm 2 Table CSA, This group brings fresh fruits and vegetables directly from Contra Costa farmers to Richmond residents, with full-price paying members reduced-cost boxes for low-income families

John has worked passionately on Contra Costa smart growthA broad concept that describes a series of principles that encourage development that better serves the economic, environmental and social needs of communities than do many of the principles that have guided development in the post-World War II period. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified the following ten principles of smart growth: 1. Mix land uses 2. Take advantage of compact building design 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 4. Create walkable neighborhoods 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 7. Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions and in-fill development projects, including the award-winning Contra Costa Centre Transit Village. During his 15 years on the East Bay Community Foundation’s board, the foundation made approximately half a billion dollars of grants, one-third of which went to Contra Costa groups. While Board Chairman, he founded the Livable Communities Initiative, which works to build environmentally, economically, and socially healthy urban communities through grant-making and consensus-building. John went on to co-found the Great Communities Collaborative, which is working closely with local communities to create smart growthA broad concept that describes a series of principles that encourage development that better serves the economic, environmental and social needs of communities than do many of the principles that have guided development in the post-World War II period. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified the following ten principles of smart growth: 1. Mix land uses 2. Take advantage of compact building design 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 4. Create walkable neighborhoods 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 7. Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions development plans in Pittsburg, Antioch and at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.