Garin Regional Park And Vicinity
Map SatelliteThis area includes the Regional Park and the California State University Hayward Ecological Field Station as well as areas to the southeast of the park.
Grassland, composed primarily of exotics, covers approximately three-quarters of the area. There are stands of a mixed evergreen forest, with buckeye, Aesculus californica, and big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum, abundant. The understory includes Aralia californica, Garrya elliptica and Actaea rubra ssp. arguta. Some coastal scrub is present and, bordering the freshwater ponds, there is a freshwater marsh.
An abundant, typical variety of animal life is found in the area. Of note is the rare Alameda striped racer, Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus. In the artificial Jordan pond there are Western pond turtle Clemmys marmorata, and several introduced fish species.
Integrity: Much of the area has been grazed in the past and portions still are lightly grazed. There are buildings and roads in the area, including park and field station facilities. The Ecological Field Station is adjacent to the University.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present.
Ref: Hayward Planning Dept., 1977. Hayward Hills Area Wildlife Study, 93 pp., Hayward.
March 1980
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
