Iconic Mission Peak pole in Fremont is restored following vandalism

East Bay Regional Park District brings pole back to ‘original place’

The “Mission Peeker” pole, which stands atop a popular hiking area on Fremont’s Mission Peak, has been repaired and restored after being sliced in half and thrown down the mountain last month.

“Thank you for your patience while we evaluated the condition of the Mission Peak Pole,” the East Bay Regional Park District tweeted on Tuesday. “Today, staff repaired and welded the Mission Peak Pole back into place.” We are grateful for the community’s interest and enjoyment of it.”

The East Bay Regional Park District did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The well-known sculpture has served as a tourist attraction and a backdrop for thousands of photographs. The pole, which was built in 1990 to raise environmental awareness, got its name from the telescope-like sight tubes that pointed to various Bay Area landmarks.

In early September, the pole was discovered vandalized, raising questions about whether it would – or should – be restored. Some regard the pole as an important Fremont symbol. Others believe it contributes to the popularity of the Mission Peak hike, which has drawn hikers and their vehicles to the neighborhood surrounding the trailhead on Stanford Avenue. Concerns about parking, safety, and environmental degradation have persisted.