Markham Regional Arboretum

1202 La Vista Ave, Concord, CA 94521, United States

 

History:

 

In 1981, with a small group of Concord people who enjoyed gardens, the Markham Regional Arboretum Society formed. Their aim was to convert their property, a portion of which Ira and Bea Markham had sold to the City of Concord in 1966, into a beautiful arboretum.

 

They decided to fulfill Markham's dream of leaving all the people of the area to enjoy a legacy of natural beauty. It was a vision of a place full of distinctive and fascinating trees, shrubs, and plants from all over the globe that flourish in our inland, yet marine-influenced environment, hot days and cool summer nights, with cold, frosty winter nights.

 

Today, less than 20 blocks from downtown Concord, Markham Nature Park, and Arboretum is a spot of quiet beauty. Most of it, with its main entrance at the southern end of La Vista Avenue, is still in its natural condition, with only slightly tamed vegetation. Through it flows Shade-dappled Galindo Creek.

 

Little hidden gem in the middle of Concord. Lots of beautiful trees, like a super miniature and little unkempt Tilden Botanical Garden. Trees are numbered, labeled and grouped by region. There is a community garden, a nice stream, big grass area and gazebo. You can see a lot of people taking family photos in the area.

 

Good for couples, families, dogs (dogs can be off leash, enough space to run around under owner's supervision). Good amount of free parking in a lot or street.

 

Thoughts on the Markham Regional Arboretum:

 

A quite small park and Nature center surrounded by a Garden with a variety native plants as well as others that do well in our climate. They do have some annual plant sale events, check their website, you can get on the website. The park is not a play park, it's a stroll around a small park and there is a nature center building. There is also a community garden nearby.