Enjoy various activities planned at Oakley's Big Break
There are always interesting things to see and do at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, and weekends are especially active.
For instance, every Saturday and Sunday in May, there's a Delta Discovery program at the visitor center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All ages are welcome to drop in during those hours to learn about the natural history of Big Break through craft projects.
Another program at the visitor center is “A Tale of Two Salinities.” It will run from 11 a.m. to noon and again from 2 to 3 p.m. May 14-15. The program explores the interaction between salt and fresh water that occurs in the Delta, and how it affects wildlife and us.
And all ages will enjoy an evening campfire at Big Break, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. You can attend the one May 14 or May 15. Bring your family and a picnic dinner to enjoy before the program starts. Campfire activities will highlight the park's attractions. S'mores, those gooey campfire treats, will be a part of the show.
Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley's Main Street. These programs
are all free, and no registration is required. For information, call 510544-2753.
BERKELEY >> A family nature walk is on the agenda from 1 to 3 p.m. May 15 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. It's an easy walk around the Nature Area in search of plant and animal life, led by naturalist Anthony
Fisher. Fisher also will lead a bird-watching walk at the Nature Area from 8 to 11 a.m. May 16.
Both programs are free, and registration is not necessary. Meet for either at Tilden's Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Central Park Drive, reached via Canon Drive from Grizzly Peak Boulevard in Berkeley.
For information, call 510-544-2233.
FREMONT >> Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont has several recurring programs at its visitor center and nectar garden. One is “Discovery on Demand” every Saturday and Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Drop by anytime during
those hours for a range of hands-on activities, investigations and crafts.
Another is nectar garden exploration, from 11 a.m. to noon every Saturday and Sunday. Join the interpretive staff to see what's blooming and to look for pollinators.
And naturalist Maeron Yeshiwas will lead a walk through the marsh (on a boardwalk) to see the plants and animals that live there, then use scientific tools to investigate further. The walk is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. May 15. All ages are welcome, but parent participation is required.
Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. The programs are free, but there's a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220.
ALSO IN FREMONT >> “Beautiful Trees” is the theme of a stroll from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Naturalist Christina Garcia will lead the way as the group visits some of the specimen trees originally planted by George and Clara Patterson on the grounds of their farming estate.
Ardenwood is at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., just north of Highway 84. The program is free, though Ardenwood entry fees apply. For information, call 510-544-2797.
ONLINE >> There are many other programs available in the East Bay Regional Park District. For information, visit the district's website at ebparks.org.