Alameda cherishes nature, open space
Protecting natural open space is a point of pride for Alameda, as evidenced by the groundswell of community support for the development of Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. More than 2,000 people participated in the design process and local activists created a nonprofit to raise money for this 27-acre park in central Alameda. The planned park features bicycle and pedestrian trails, natural trails through open space, demonstration droughttolerant landscaping and natural playgrounds.
In South Alameda, there are the large community flagships, such as the 132-acre Crown Memorial State Beach and the longest swimming beach in the Bay Area stretching more than two miles with an adjacent protected bikeway. As one of the few remaining salt wetlands on the San Francisco Bay, the ecosystem is extremely valuable as a critical habitat for endangered species like the California clapper rail, plus crabs, fish and plants.
Both the park and the beach also are treasured by Alamedans for daily recreation, and offer enticing adventures for visitors, too. So lace up your sneakers, hiking boots or beach shoes, and get yourself outdoors.
CROWN MEMORIAL STATE BEACH
For thousands of years, birds have fed, nested and raised their young on these beautiful marshlands. Yet by the 1970s, the area was threatened with development, following a 1950s project in which nearby marshes and mudflats were filled in for residential and commercial buildings.
Enter Elsie B. Roemer, an Alameda resident and wildlife lover since 1892. She convinced the East Bay Regional Park District to set aside the marshes as a bird sanctuary, and in 1979, the project was named in her honor.
Today, visitors can hike the beach, park and preservation-edging wetlands to catch sight of graceful snowy egrets, striped California clapper rails, Great Blue herons, willits, American avocets, marbled godwits, brown pelicans, dowitchers, California gulls, Western sandpipers, Greater yellowlegs, double-crested cormorants, song sparrows and marsh wrens.
This is also one of the area’s richest playgrounds for windsurfers, kite boarders, fishing, kayaking and swimming year-round.
CRAB COVE VISITOR CENTER AT CROWN MEMORIAL STATE BEACH
Established 38 years ago, this small but dynamic project weaves a tapestry of marine and shoreline history, bringing interactive immersion into the magical underwater world of the San Francisco Bay.
Besides being great fun to explore, the attractions within the low-slung wood building share the critical message of preserving ocean and estuarine environments.
Admission is free, and kids love the games of building a crab from the inside out, marveling at whale skeleton pieces and shark jaws and tunneling into a delightful “mudhole” that’s sized just for toddlers.
Adults, meanwhile, can chill out with the colorful fish swimming in the 800gallon aquarium system and relax on the rockstrewn beach’s benches overlooking serene waters (keep your eyes peeled, you’ll likely see scurrying sand crabs at low tide).
Mark your calendar for June 10, which is the 51st annual Sand Castle and Sand Sculpture Contest, held in front of the bathhouse on a low-tide Saturday morning.
ALAMEDA SOUTH SHORE CENTER ADVENTURE COURT
The waterfront shopping center’s flagship playground celebrated its grand opening this past January, unveiling a 1,700-square-foot oasis anchored around sets of climbing mounds and hills. The highlight is the 6-foot high mound centered with a twisting slide. Children can scamper through tunnels and frolic beneath a field of 14 oversized, artistic flowers towering above them.
BLADIUM SPORTS & FITNESS CENTER
Soccer, basketball and flag football are some of the games awaiting both youth and adult teams at this 175,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor emporium. For tiny athletes in training, there are Lil’ Kickers and Lil’ Sluggers programs, too, plus many levels of kids’ activities grouped by age, skill level and competitive drive.
BAY FARM ISLAND
It’s scenery, in spades. A bike and pedestrian trail circles the entire perimeter of the peninsula, traversing a six-mile greenbelt loop. Start off with beach views, birding and seaside bungalows through the waterfront part of the adventure, followed by an energetic city vibe on the interior part of the trail past the Ferry terminal and along an expansive municipal golf course. As part of the 500-mile long San Francisco Trail, this path also leads across a drawbridge connecting to the Shoreline Trail in Alameda proper.
WASHINGTON PARK
With water, grass and shade trees, this small dog park adjacent to Crown Memorial State Beach is considered one of the best fenced-off dog romping areas in the East Bay.