Towata Park

This park is located on the western side of the approach to the Bay Farm Bridge and has a small grass area and a lot of bushes and a few trees. The park is mostly for appearances and has a bench or two. The main path that runs through it goes under the bridge for bikes and pedestrians. Usually pretty safe, even at night.
It’s too bad this parklet is named after a pioneering and prominent Japanese American Alameda family. They deserve something better.

Loved the visit this morning to my old ‘running space’, back when I was a very proud Alamedan with a key to a door of a house in a veritable secret gem of small-​town living in big-​bad Bay Area! (my huge claim to fame is that I quite literally lived across the street from Xmas Tree Lane (Thompson). So cool every year walking with my coffee mug, and not having to bear the nutsoness of driving my way out of that mayhem.
The region of Alameda between the main isle and Harbor Bay/​Bay Farm island is a wonderland of nature and beauty, views and water, sea breeze and outdoor happiness. This little Towata park is found just before the bridge crossing over into Bay Farm, just off Otis Dr.
Turn right into a space that allows for about 10 parked cars, and from there, enjoy the underpass to the blue pedestrian bridge which parallels the auto one, and enjoy the water from both sides!!!
It’s really very special, this ability to walk out toward the estuary side and see rabbits and chipmunks, and lizards too. Facing McAfee and the Oakland hills, I came to circle the golden round of Shoreline Park that juts into the water, taking a peek at the Aegean marina folk and the activity on their boats today.
On the other side, after making the mile+ circle, one can opt to turn onto the wooden-​planked bridge to cross over to the shores of Bay Farm Island… with gorgeous views of the Bay… Lovely piece of Alameda enchantment. And awesome weather to boot.