Reed Creek Interpretive Center

Love, love, LOVE this place. So much scope for the imagination. Especially if you have kids. In the spring, the water is pulsating, alive with thousands of tadpoles. And watching the transformation into frogs through frequent visits, was pretty darn thrilling for my boys. The main pathway is a raised wooden walkway over the water, but there are also some little side trails that lead through the woods and to the surrounding neighborhoods. So much fun to explore – so much wildlife to see!
Apparently this used to be a park, but kept flooding every year, so they decided to just allow it to return to the wetlands it was. We adore the trails along the creek & the access path behind the park/​along the creek. It feels so wild, right in the midst of all the un-​wild paved city. They also have great exploring/​educating classes for kids.
Despite the total lack of foresight & urban development in the surrounding area, and the steady march of strip-​malls and soul-​less suburbia (whew, deep breath…) this is one place which allows me to forgive Martinez its faults, and recognize that a few people really know how to take care of their land and balance the wild with the education & awesomeness.