Welcome sign to the Clarke Swim Center and the All Abilities Playground in Walnut Creek

Play with All Abilities, Walnut Creek

All abilities playground in Walnut Creek, CA.

Last week I posted about the Gardens of Heather Farm. While you are at Heather’s Farm and you have children with you I highly suggest you stop by the all abilities playground. This 30,000 square feet playground has two distinct areas. One for 2-5 year olds, and one for 5 – 12 year olds. It was built in 2014, and according to their website, “intentionally addressing the physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory needs of all children”.

Playstructure at the all ability playground in Walnut Creek.

The inclusive approach has shock absorbent pathways, wide ramps, ground level play areas, and much more. I like that the design also includes the parking lot and other service areas, by providing ADA approved restrooms, van accessible parking spaces and pathways. 

In the foreground there are two benches shaded by an umbrella, in the background a play structure with multiple slides.

The colorful towers greet you from the parking lot and the structures provide plenty of challenges for all kids. Shade is provided by mature trees, but also large umbrellas.

Overall this playground is well thought out and well liked by the community. 

A climbing wall at the all ability playground in Walnut Creek.

Have your kids played at the all abilities playground?
If you are located in Silicon Valley, there are the Magical Bridge Playgrounds for all abilities. Currently these are in Palo Alto and Redwood City, with four more in the planning state.

Men sitting on a bench overlooking the rose garden at Heather Farm, Walnut Creek.

Get surprised by a multitude of gardens, Heather Farm, Walnut Creek

When I visited Heather Farm I knew this place was well known for its garden. What I did not know was the dimensions and multitudes of them. They have a stunning 27 different garden arrangements! 

Little tunnel with bushes growing on top.

After I entered the centennial grove, 100 trees from around the world, the cuteness of the children’s garden caught my eyes. I’m sure the small, about a yard long, tunnel is loved by many toddlers.The Crowden Rose Garden lures you in by the scent. It features more than 1,000 varieties of roses. 

Bench at the stroll garden, Heather Farm, Walnut Creek.

With names like sensory, stroll, and meadow garden you will likely discover a myriad of plants, and ,of course there are plenty of benches to take in the scenery.  

The name Heather Farm is from a priced race horse, King Heather, of the original ranch owner, John Marchbank. Marchbank bought the 255 acre ranch in 1921 and converted it into a thoroughbred horse training facility. He sold most of the grounds in 1945. Nowadays an independent organization operates the free Heather Farms Garden and education center. Besides the many gardens, the park offers tennis courts, a swim center, an all ability playground, and a fishing lake, to name a few attractions. 

Heather Farms is located at 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek, CA and is open daily during daylight hours.

Have you been to Heather Farm?

While you are in Walnut Creek you might also enjoy the Ruth Bancroft garden with its lavish display of cacti and succulents.

Resources:

A yellow rose.

Walnut Creek Magazine

https://www.walnutcreekmagazine.com/2021/05/27/307676/a-look-back-walnut-creek-s-rich-equestrian-past

Gardens of Heather Farm History

https://gardenshf.org/50-2/

To see a mini tour of the gardens you can watch this YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mbSlwqtVxc

A fuzzy cactus with a bright red flower.

Find What’s in Bloom at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek

A group of cacti, one with a yellow flower.

At the entrance to the Ruth Bancroft Garden you’ll be handed a map to see what’s in bloom. If you want to come prepared, print it out from their website. The fee to see the succulent garden is $10 for adults with discounts for seniors and children. An amount well spent if you like succulents and drought resistant plants. There are large varieties and they have some in bloom each month.

Two buckets with parasols at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek.

If you go on a sunny day make sure to pick up a parasol to shade you while exploring. The murals at the entrance are also noteworthy, but inside it is spectacular. Large cacti and palm trees vying for attention together with the huge varieties of succulents. The fruits are interesting as well, but please don’t touch the prickly pear, they have thorns. 

Water lily at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek.

This is the perfect environment for lizards. They will zip by and then stop to look at you. The koi pond with the water lilies was an added surprise.

Afterwards check out the adjacent nursery. Cute succulents arranged in a pot and, of course, a large variety of sempervivum, cacti and other drought resistant plants.

Bench at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden with 3.5 acres is larger than the Arizona Garden in Stanford. Both are equally spectacular. On selected evenings between 5:30 and 8:30 pm, November to January, the garden transforms into the Garden of D’Lights and they promise to ‘glow your mind’! Tickets are available at their website and cost $16 – $24 for adults and children between 6 and 15 pay $8 to $12.

Opening hours are:

March – October

Tuesday – Thursday: 9AM to 4PM (last admissions at 3:15pm)

Friday – Sunday: 10AM to 5PM (last admissions at 4:15pm)

November – February

Tuesday – Sunday: 9AM to 4PM (last admissions at 3:15pm)

Do you like seeing blooming succulents?

Mini golf balls

Tee-off at Putters Putt Putt in Walnut Creek

A pop up mini golf in the parking lot of a former restaurant might sound dubious but Putters Putt Putt is anything but.

Mini golf ball with obstacles
Hole 2 of Putters Putt Putt, Walnut Creek

For $10 a person you can shoot your regular 18 holes, plus three extra. The person who built it is on site giving you a quick run down. He is very passionate about his course and will keep adding and improving at least until the restaurant is rented out again. 

For us this was a great father’s day getaway. We enjoyed the inventive spirit. Two of the courses have poles you swing for extra difficulty. My favorite hole was number 18, which frankly is a bit removed from the idea of mini golf as you start out with a pinball pull to catapult your golf ball along a few ramps. It ends up in this triangular nail grit and if you are lucky could get a hole in one. But wait there’s more. At the end is a challenge of four ramps where everyone shoots at the same time and the score can change depending on who gets in first. 

Launch a mini golf ball pinball style.

Putter Putt Putt is located on 1275 South California Blvd in Walnut Creek. They are closed Monday and Tuesdays and open Wednesdays to Fridays from 2 pm – 8:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 12:30 pm – 8:30 pm. They also do birthday parties.

Two pendulums swinging at the mini golf Putters Putt Putt.

Have you been to Putters Putt Putt?

Full disclosure Putters Putt Putt contacted me via Instagram and we got a rebate. Follow them for updates @puttersputtputt

Do you like to play games outside? Try Senet at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose. 

Science not Silence, pin designed by Penelope Dullaghan

Stand up for science

April 22nd 2017 is Earth Day and you can support your scientist by marching. Many of the marches end with an Earth Day celebration, or with activities for kids. A great way to introduce the importance of marching for democratic rights to your children.

Science not Silence, pin designed by  Penelope Dullaghan
Science not Silence pin designed by
Penelope Dullaghan

Like the Women’s March on January 21st, the March for Science’s biggest crowds are expected in Washington D.C. But there are eight satellite marches in the Bay Area where you can show your support:

 

San Francisco Start: Justin Herman Plaza, 11:00 AM; End: Civic Center Plaza

San Jose Start: San Jose City Hall, 11:00 AM; End: Plaza de Cesar Chavez

Santa Cruz Start: Santa Cruz City Hall, 10:00 AM; End: San Lorenzo Park

Pacifica Start: 2:30 PM, from Linda Mar Beach to Rockaway Beach and back

Walnut Creek Start: Civic Park, 10:00 AM

Livermore Start and End: Livermore High School; 1:00 PM

Hayward Start: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 10:00 AM

Berkeley Start: Sproul Plaza, 4:00 PM

Here is a list of Earth Day events in the Bay Area:

http://www.bayareaearthday.org/bayareaearthdayevents/

 

Will you stand up for science?