Canyon Trail Park
El Cerrito
Years gardened at this location: plants were installed in November, 2004
Size: 2,000 square feet
Showcase feature: More than 70 species of plants native to this site have been grown from seed collected from relict populations and planted in this marvelous restoration project. A meandering path wanders through patches of buttercups, gracefully swaying bunchgrass, and beautiful clusters of flowering lupine.
Other garden attractions:
- A Native American petroglyph site, with carvings thought to be more than 5,000 years old, can be seen at the site.
- Eleven species of local native bunchgrasses are growing here.
Gardening for Wildlife: A spring-fed pond, which has been planted with local riparian native plants, is home to a large, loud, and happy population of Pacific chorus frogs. Yampah, the native host plant of the swallowtail butterfly, awaits winged visitors. Phoebes nest in the area, and many other species of birds are seen here, as are butterflies, natives bees, and dragonflies. Ring-neck snakes call the park home.
Garden Talk: 11:00 and 2:00 “How and Why to Create a Garden with Plants from Local Plant Populations,” by Jim McKissock of Earth Care Now.
12:30 "Canyon Trail Park and the Native American Petroglyphs of the North and Central California Coast Ranges," by Leigh Marymor, President of the American Rock Art Research Association