planning for the park began with the initial public purchase in 1968 but suffered several setbacks. a 1972 concept planning study by an outside consultant was not implemented. ebrpd's 1973 master plan designated the site as a regional shoreline and by 1976 a resource analysis for the island had been prepared and presented at two public hearings in richmond. this analysis highlighted the value of the island's prehistoric settlements and its natural habitat resources and resulted in a new designation as a regional preserve. another hiccup came in 1978 when the land use development plan for the main portion of the island in public ownership was not adopted by ebrpd's board.