Mother’s Day was on May 12; on June 16 it’s Dad’s turn, with several Father’s Day activities planned in the East Bay Regional Park District.
Garin Regional Park in Hayward will stage a “Father’s Day Adventure” on June 16, featuring a wilderness skill and a Stone Age activity. Your host will be naturalist Dino Labiste. From 10 a.m. to noon, Dino will conduct a clinic on how to start a fire without matches or lighters, instead using a hand drill, or solar power.
From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. it’s atlatl time. First watch a demonstration on how to create a paleolithic stone point. Then try your skill at hitting a target, using a dart-throwing atlatl. For safety reasons, the atlatl program is for ages 8 and older. Garin Regional Park is at the end of Garin Avenue off Mission Boulevard in Hayward. Both programs are free, but there’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220.
Alameda: “Father’s Day Fishing” is the theme of a program from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. June 16 at Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda. Learn about some famous fish dads, then go fishing with your kids. Adults who are fishing must have a day or annual fishing license. Kids ages 15 and younger can fish for free. All fishing gear will be provided. The program is free, but space is limited and registration is required. For registration and more information, call 888-327-2757. Select option 2 and refer to program number 25139.
Berkeley: If you can’t make the atlatl clinic at Garin Regional Park, there’s one scheduled from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the same day at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley with naturalist Anthony Fisher. Before that, Anthony will lead a variety of games that are traditional with California Native Americans. The program is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 16. Both programs are free; both meet at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Central Park Drive. For information and directions, call 510-544-2233.
Antioch: Night owls will enjoy an “Evening in the Wild West End,” a steep and rugged 6-mile hike from 6 to 10 p.m. June 15 at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon. The group will look for owls and other wildlife as the moon rises over the parkland. Kevin’s hike is for ages 10 and older, and registration is required. Call 888-327-2757, select option 2, and refer to program number 25057.
Owls are also the topic of a program from 11 a.m. to noon June 16 at Black Diamond Mines, led by naturalist Eddie Willis. By dissecting owl pellets, you can learn what the birds have been eating. Meet Eddie near the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. Black Diamond Mines has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is staffed. For general information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.
Fremont: June 15 is Railroad Adventure Day at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Visitors can take a ride on the narrow-gauge train and learn the history of the original railroad that ran through the farm. The train is operated by the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources. Unlimited train rides are included in the park admission fee, which is $6 for adults 18 and older; $5 for seniors 62 and older; $4 for children ages 4 through 17; and free for ages 3 and younger.
Ardenwood also recreates a 19th century farming estate with domestic animals, farming demonstrations, and tours of the historic Patterson House. The park is at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., just north of Highway 84. Call 510-544-2797.
Online: Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or every day, there’s always something to do in the regional parks. Check out the park district’s website at ebparks.org.
Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.
