Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont will host an informal “knap-in” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 18-19 with naturalists Kristina Parkison and Francis Mendoza. No, this isn’t a group sleepover. It’s a gathering of folks whose hobby is using methods thousands of years old to transform chert, obsidian and other stones into spear points, arrowheads and other tools.
Meet on the lawn in front of the park’s visitor center. Young children are welcome to watch. If you’re 16 or older, you can give “knapping” a try yourself. The knapping process produces flying stone chips, so for safety reasons bring leather gloves and wear long pants, close-toed shoes and protective eyewear. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle; the knap-in is free of charge. Call 510-544-3220 for information.
Sunol: Some of nature’s more amazing aspects are the theme of a hike with naturalist Constance Taylor from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 18 at Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County. Meet at the Sunol Visitor Center for a 5-mile trek in search of natural history highlights. The park is at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road, about five miles south of I-680. For information call 510-544-3249.
Alameda: Out at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda, it’s Family Nature Fun Time from 2 to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, with activities for all ages and a new adventure each week. Then from 3 to 3:30 p.m., the Crab Cove staff feeds the fish at the visitor center aquarium while discussing San Francisco Bay’s hidden habitats. Crab Cove is at 1252 McKay Ave. off Alameda’s Central Avenue. Call 510-544-3187.
Oakland: River otters have been sighted at several regional park lakes and waterways. Naturalist Morgan Dill will lead a safari in search of otter signs — and maybe an actual otter — from 10:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 19 at Temescal Regional Recreation Area in Oakland. Meet Morgan at the park’s north entrance at 6500 Broadway for a level, 1-mile walk around the lake. It’s the entrance with the kiosk and large parking lot. Call 510-544-3187 for information.
Berkeley: Spidering is on the agenda from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley with naturalist Anthony Fisher. The group will meet a pet tarantula, then venture out into the fields in search of wild spiders. Meet at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Central Park Drive. Call 510-544-2233.
Oakley: Out at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, it’s rambunctious reptile time from 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 19 with a stroll in search of snakes, turtles and lizards. Or you can release your inner artist by joining naturalist Nichole Gange to celebrate the seventh annual international Chalk the Walks event from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 21. Chalk will be provided so you can transform the park’s visitor center patio into a chalk art gallery. Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. Call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050.
Brentwood: Nighthawks will enjoy an evening stroll from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 18 through Round Valley Regional Preserve south of Brentwood, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon. The hike is for ages 12 and older. The group will look and listen for signs of predators and prey while ambling along broad trails. Should be good for stargazing too. It’s a free event, but registration is required. To register, call 888-327-2757, select option 2, and refer to program number 21806. For general information, call 510-544-2750.
Online: There are lots of other programs and activities in the regional parks. Visit www.ebparks.org for a complete listing.
Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.