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Arrowhead Marsh, East Bay Regional Park District
Arrowhead Marsh, East Bay Regional Park District    

Next to the commercial bustle of Oakland International Airport is a 741-acre park leased from the Port of Oakland, protecting the remainder of a once-extensive marshland at San Leandro Bay

At the intersection of Doolittle Drive and Swan Way is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove, completed with community support and dedicated in 1993. The grove consists of a group of trees surrounding a grassy glade. There is also a brick wall inscribed with donors' names.

The 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh is a stopover on the Pacific Flyway and is part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network--dogs must be on-leash at all times.

Birds: marsh birds (including rails), waterfowl, shorebirds

Hiking Difficulty: 1

Directions:

  • Take South Main north to Mt Diablo Blvd. and turn left.
  • Follow Mt. Diablo Blvd. straight onto Highway 24 towards Oakland.
  • Go through the Caldecott Tunnel and continue in the left lanes towards Oakland (don't go onto 580).
  • Highway 24 merges into 880; stay to the left,
  • After a few miles you'll see a sign for Hegenberger Rd.Take the Hegenberger exit and stay right on Hegenberger Road.
  • Turn right onto Doolittle Dr. (the last turn before entering the Oakland Airport grounds).
  • Turn right onto Swan Way (about 200 yards).
  • Make the first left onto a dirt/gravel road and follow it to the end (don't park in the first parking area).

 

 

Hiking Difficulty codes:
1=Easy, very few hills to climb
2=Moderately Easy, some small hills to climb
3=Challenging, flat land ranging to gentle to some steep slopes
4=Difficult, some very steep hills to climb

At the Water Cooler


I've heard a Great-horned Owl off and on in our yard for years. I happened to see her the other day just before dusk in our large oak tree. She was just waking up from a long day of snoozing, getting a little preening done in preparation for a night of hunting. I got as close as I could to her trying not to scare her away.

"Don't worry," she said casually. "I'm not ready to take off yet." "Wow," I...

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East Bay Times Article


Attracting birds and bees to our yards and gardens is simple, if we provide what they like and need.

Joanie Smith, owner of East Bay Nature in Walnut Creek, says there are five essential elements for success — water, food, cover, nesting and safety.

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