Vargas Plateau Regional Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vargas Plateau Regional Park |
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| Location | Alameda County, California |
| Nearest city | Fremont, California |
| Area | 1,249 acres (505 ha) |
| Created | 2010 |
| Operated by | East Bay Regional Park District |
Vargas Plateau Regional Park is a cool park located on a flat-topped hill (called a plateau) in the Fremont Hills of Alameda County, California. From here, you can see amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, Niles Canyon, and the cities of Fremont, Union City, and Newark. The park is about 1,000 feet (300 meters) high. It connects to other high-up parks like Garin Regional Park, Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, Mission Peak Regional Preserve, and Sunol Regional Wilderness, making it part of a big network of nature areas.
Contents
Park's Past: From Tribes to Trails
Early Days and Land Changes
Long ago, Vargas Plateau was home to two Ohlone-speaking tribes, the Tuibun and Causen. They used the land for hunting and farming. In 1797, after the Spanish took control of California, these tribes began living and working at Mission San Jose.
Later, in 1846, the mission's land was taken over by the government. It was then given to Juan Bautista Alvarado and Andres Pico. Sadly, the native people lost their claim to Vargas Plateau and had to work for the new landowners.
When California became an American state in 1850, many old land ownership papers were canceled. This happened to the Alvarado and Pico properties. The land then became part of a horse breeding ranch. Around 1900, this ranch was divided into smaller pieces.
In 1909, Antonio Francisco Vargas bought 444 acres (180 hectares) of the "lower ranch." By 1912, Antonio's brother Manuel and nephew Edward bought 550 acres (220 hectares) of the "upper ranch." Manuel and Edward raised sheep and cattle there. They also grew crops without irrigation, which is called dryland farming.
The Tavares family inherited the upper ranch after Edward Vargas passed away in 1978. Antonio's family kept raising cattle on the lower ranch until they sold the land to the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) in 1993. EBRPD bought the Tavares' property in 1996. In 2010, the District bought more land, bringing the total area of Vargas Plateau Regional Park to 1,249 acres (505 hectares).
Opening and Reopening the Park
Around 1995, the EBRPD got about 1,200 acres (490 hectares) of the Vargas Plateau. They planned to open it as a park with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. However, the park's opening was delayed many times. People expected it to open in 2010, then 2012, then 2015, and finally spring 2016.
A legal agreement in 2012 said that the EBRPD needed to improve the roads leading to the park. The EBRPD and the city of Fremont agreed in 2013 to work together on these improvements. The park finally opened on May 5, 2016.
But the park had to close again on July 13, 2016, because of a court order. The court found that the park district had not finished the required road improvements before opening. This meant no one could use the park, whether by car, hiking, biking, or horse riding. It was a big disappointment, and the park stayed closed for a while.
Good news came on May 2, 2017! The EBRPD announced that they had solved the legal issues. The park reopened on May 15, 2017. The EBRPD agreed to build a paved shoulder along Vargas Road and a place for vehicles to turn around on Morrison Canyon Road. The City of Fremont also helped with some of the money needed for these fixes.
Amazing Animals and Habitats
Home for Rare Wildlife
Vargas Plateau Regional Park is a special place with many different natural areas. You can find grasslands, seasonal wetlands, ponds, and streams. There are also areas with scrublands and oak woodlands, plus some rocky spots.
Because the plateau has steep slopes, it has protected the native wildlife from human development. This means that several animals that are rare or in danger elsewhere can be found here! These include the threatened California red-legged frog, the Alameda whipsnake, and the federally threatened California tiger salamander.
Other reptiles you might see are the Pacific gopher snake and the Northern Pacific rattlesnake. Many birds also live here, like red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, great-horned owls, pygmy owls, and wild turkeys.
Fun Activities to Do
The most popular things to do at Vargas Plateau Regional Park are hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park has about 6 miles (10 kilometers) of trails for these activities. It's also a great place to watch birds and other wildlife from the trails.
Park Facilities
Since the park is relatively new, there are not many facilities yet. The trails can be rugged because of the hilly land, so they might not be suitable for most wheelchairs. There is a trailhead with a restroom and an information panel, but there is no drinking water available.
If you plan to visit, remember that car parking is very limited at the trailhead inside the park. Also, you are not allowed to park on the street nearby. There are no campsites or picnic areas in the park.
