Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park facts for kids
Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park is a cool park located in the Grass Valley area of Oakland, California. It used to be a state park, but now the City of Oakland owns it. The Oakland Zoo is also found in the lower western part of the park, right near I-580.
Contents
Discover Joseph Knowland Park
How the Park Was Created
Joseph Knowland's Vision
The park is named after Joseph R. Knowland, who was a very important person in creating it. He worked on the California State Park Commission from 1934 to 1960. He was even the chairman, or leader, of the commission starting in 1938. Because of his hard work, the State of California bought 453 acres (about 1.8 square kilometers) of land for $660,000. This purchase was made with a special "matching grant," meaning the state paid part, and others helped pay the rest. On April 30, 1948, this land officially became a State Park.
From State to City Park
In December 1949, the park was leased to the City of Oakland. This meant the city could manage it, but there was a rule: Knowland Park had to always stay open to the public. Around this time, a part of the park became the new home for the Oakland Zoo.
On September 9, 1951, which was California's 101st State Admission Day, the park was renamed Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park. This was done to honor Joseph Knowland for all his efforts. The City of Oakland, Alameda County, and the State of California all took part in this special renaming. Later, in 1973, the park was officially given to the City of Oakland. By 1975, the city was fully in charge of managing the park.
Exploring the Park's Nature
A big part of Joseph Knowland Park is still wild and undeveloped. This is actually the best part for people who love nature! The western highlands and northern slopes are full of rare native plants and amazing wildlife. It's like a special natural treasure.
Amazing Plants and Animals
Some of the cool natural things you can find in the park include unique plant communities. These are groups of plants that grow together in a special way. You might also spot thriving, but sometimes rare, wildlife. It's a great spot for bird-watching too! The park is also a very important pathway for animals like mountain lions and bobcats when they move from one area to another. A creek called Arroyo Viejo flows along the northern edge of the park. This creek eventually leads to Lion Creek and then to San Leandro Bay.
Protecting Special Habitats
In 2010, a group called the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (EBCNPS) recognized Knowland Park as a very important area for plants. They called it a "Botanical Priority Protection Area" because it has so many rich native plant resources. This includes rare natural communities like Valley Needlegrass Grassland and Maritime Chaparral. These are special types of habitats that need to be protected.
