Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is almost here, and there are lots of activities scheduled for that weekend in the East Bay regional parks.
If you’re considering camping, all available regional park campsites have been booked for weeks. But the good news is that there are plenty of day trip possibilities. Special Memorial Day events are planned at several regional parks. Let’s take it from south to north.
Fremont: Memorial Day will be admission-free at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28, visitors can help with farm chores, ride the train, tour the Patterson House, taste farm-baked cookies from an outdoor wood stove, compete in old-time games on the lawn and visit with the farm animals. Ardenwood is at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., just north of Highway 84. Parking is free too. Call 510-544-2797 for information.
Also in Fremont: Nearby at Coyote Hills Regional Park, there’s a 50th anniversary history celebration planned from 1 to 4 p.m. May 26-28. Activities will include hands-on demonstrations, tours, talks about the park’s history and a new exhibit. Coyote Hills has a reconstructed Native American village site dating back 2,000 years. The park is located at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway, and the parking fee is $5 per vehicle. Call 510-544-3220.
Alameda: Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda will host a Memorial Day Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28. You can take a self-guided history walk any time, using a guide available at the front desk. Organized activities will include nature crafts, a program on the park’s military history from 11 to 11:30 a.m., Memorial Day memories from 2 to 3 p.m. and fish feeding at the visitor center aquarium from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Crab Cove is at the end of McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue. Parking costs $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3187.
Antioch: At Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, tours through the Hazel-Atlas Mine will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 28. Tickets will be available at the Greathouse Visitor Center. Children must be 7 or older, and parent participation is required. The fee is $5 per person. Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. The parking fee is $5 per vehicle. Call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750 for information.
Berkeley: Also on Memorial Day weekend, there’s a Coastal Conservation Celebration from 2 to 3 p.m. May 26 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. Interpretive student aide Brianna Contaxis-Tucker will lead a celebration of the birthday of Rachel Carson, who was an activist, conservation scientist and author. Create an edible food chain and learn about local animals. Meet at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Central Park Drive. Call 510-544-2233 for information.
Port Costa: Another good bet is a walk along the paved George Miller Trail between Port Costa and Martinez from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 26, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon. It’s an easy stroll with beautiful views of Carquinez Strait. Meet Kevin at the Port Costa Staging Area, which is reached from Highway 4 via McEwen Drive and Carquinez Scenic Drive. For information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.
Throughout the parks: In general, regional parks and swim areas will be open on Memorial Day, with picnic tables available first-come, first-served. It’s best to arrive early to assure a table. You can also spread a blanket on lawn areas. Portable barbecues are OK on lawns but not in tall dry grass for obvious reasons. Please dispose of coals only in the concrete receptacles provided for that purpose.
There have been occasional swim area closures due to algae blooms. Before heading out, check the park district website for any park closures. For a safe and enjoyable holiday, please cooperate with any and all instructions from rangers, lifeguards, firefighters and police.
Online: This is just a partial list of what’s going on in the regional parks on Memorial Day weekend. For more, check out the district website, www.ebparks.org.
Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.