(©2003 by Michael Mejia)

Work Parties
Because Baxter Creek Gateway Park will truly be a "living" landscape, hundreds of volunteers will be needed to pitch in to help maintain the restored habitat both in and around the creek. Native plants, insects, birds, and animals will soon be making their homes in the park, and we want to be sure it's a hospitable place for them to live.

Become a Baxter Creek Watershed Steward by joining FOBC at our work parties on the first Saturday of every month, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Key Blvd. and Conlon Ave. in El Cerrito. Pre-registration is requested for each of these events. Contact Apple Szostak, FOBC's Watershed Project coordinator, at 510/665-3686 or apple@thewatershedproject.org.

On October 7, we'll be planting native shrubs and flowers, removing invasive weeds and trash, spreading mulch, and conducting other stewardship activities at the park in northern El Cerrito.

Open to both new- and old-comers, work parties offer an opportunity for you to work outside, socialize, and snack with other FOBC'ers. Volunteers under age 18 are welcome to participate, but they must bring a waiver signed by their parents or guardian. For waivers, see The Watershed Project Website.

This is a great way to learn about native plants and creek restoration, so bring your friends along. Tools, gloves, and snacks will be provided, and heavy rain will cancel these events.

If your neighborhood group or company would like to arrange a special "volunteer day" at Gateway Park, contact Apple Szostak at 510/665-3686 or apple@thewatershedproject.org.

For directions to the park, see below.

Directions
Directions to Gateway Park, El Cerrito/Richmond border:
From San Francisco/Berkeley/El Cerrito: From Interstate 80 East, take the San Pablo Ave. exit. Turn right onto San Pablo, drive about three blocks, and make a left turn onto MacDonald Ave. After one block, make a right turn onto Key Blvd. and continue to Conlon St. (just before the hill). Park near Key and Conlon. Gateway Park is located on the righthand side of Key at the end of the Ohlone Greenway.

From Richmond/El Sobrante: From Interstate 80 West, take the San Pablo/Barrett Ave. exit. Make a left turn onto Barrett, go under the overpass, and turn right onto San Pablo Ave. Drive about three blocks on San Pablo Ave. and make a left turn onto MacDonald Ave. After one block, make a right turn onto Key Blvd. and continue to Conlon St. (just before the hill). Park near Key and Conlon. Gateway Park is located on the righthand side of Key at the end of the Ohlone Greenway.

From Richmond/El Sobrante: From Interstate 80 West, take the San Pablo/Barrett Ave. exit. Make a left onto Barrett, go under the overpass, and turn right onto San Pablo Avenue. Drive about three blocks on San Pablo Ave. and make a left onto MacDonald Avenue. After one block, make a right turn onto Key Boulevard. Just before the hill, make a left turn onto Conlon Ave. When Conlon makes a sharp curve to the left, you've arrived at Canyon Trail Park. Park your car and meet at the base of Baxter Creek near the frog pond.

From San Pablo Ave., go west onto Potrero Ave. At South 47th St., turn left. The park and its parking lot will be on your left. Note that on old maps, this park is shown as East Shore State Park.

From Richmond/El Sobrante: From Interstate 80 West, take the San Pablo Ave. exit. Turn left onto Barrett Ave. and continue past San Pablo Ave. on Barrett. At the fork in the road, veer to the left onto Dimm St. After one block, Dimm will end. Make a right turn onto Ventura and drive one block to Sierra Ave. Make a right turn onto Sierra Ave., which deadends at the entrance gate to Mira Vista Field, just east of the Tulare Ave. cross street.

From Richmond/El Sobrante: From Interstate 80 West, take the San Pablo/Barrett Ave. exit. Turn left onto Barrett Ave and continue past San Pablo Ave. on Barrett. At the fork in the road, veer to the left onto Dimm St. After one block, Dimm will end. Make a right turn onto Ventura and drive one block to Sierra Ave. Make a right turn onto Sierra Ave., which deadends at the entrance gate to Mira Vista Field, just east of the Tulare Ave. cross street.

From Richmond/El Sobrante: From Interstate 80 West, take the San Pablo/Barrett Ave. exit. Turn left onto Barrett Ave and continue past San Pablo Ave. on Barrett. Wind up the hill on Barrett about 12 blocks, going past Ellerhorst St. and then past Tulare St. Turn left on Mira Vista Dr. and go about one and a half blocks. The school is at the end of the street at 6397 Hazel Ave. You can park in front of the school.

From Richmond/El Sobrante: From Interstate 80 West, take the San Pablo/Barrett Ave. exit. Make a left onto Barrett and continue on Barrett past San Pablo Ave. Barrett will curve to the right and then immediately to the left. Just after the second curve, turn right onto Carlston St. Go one block and turn left onto Rosalind. Go another block on Rosalind to Poinsett Park.