Alvarado Park

Alvarado Park (formerly Grand Canyon Park
, Richmond Museum of History, retrieved September 4, 2007) is a subsection of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park in Richmond, California and is a National Historic Place. It is located at the mouth of Wildcat Canyon in the Alvarado Park section. Between 1909 and 1923, Alvarado Park was a private park that was owned and operated by local residents. In 1923, it was donated to the city of Richmond. Later it was admitted into the East Bay Regional Park District.

Acquisition and history

In ancient times the area was the site of one of the grandest of Ohlone native American villages. The Huichun band numbered 250 people at this site and lived here for 5,000 to 7,000 years.
Then, in 1985, it was incorporated into Wildcat Canyon Regional Park and forms a historic district.

In its early years, Alvarado Park was served by its own streetcar line from the East Shore and Suburban Railway, a Key System precursor, which was later discontinued. The park district made certain improvements including a new children's play area, conversion of parking into meadows, and demolition of dilapidated structures. It was also the home of the Grande Vista Sanitarium, later known as Belgum Sanitarium.East Bay Trails: Hiking Trails in Alameda And Contra Costa Counties
by David Weintraub, () Wilderness Press, 2005, retrieved September 6, 2007
, Chaddickerson.com, retrieved September 6, 2007
United States Census Bureau, retrieved September 6, 2007 Though the associated buildings have since burned to the ground, their foundations and the surrounding grounds, including an orchard remain. The park also features distinctive and noted stone masonry, retaining walls, and classical stone lampposts. The lampposts are no longer lit. A stonework bridge spans Wildcat Creek in the park main entrance. The park district is currently struggling to return the river to a more natural state in hopes of restoring its fish population and their runs. The park also featured an open-air pavilion dance hall which was converted to a roller rink, and subsequently destroyed by fire.

See also

*National Register of Historic Places listings in Contra Costa County, California

Notes

{{National Register of Historic Places

Parks on the National Register of Historic Places in California
Buildings and structures in Richmond, California
National Register of Historic Places in Richmond, California
Parks in Contra Costa County, California
East Bay Regional Park District
Tourist attractions in Richmond, California