See and Do!
Contact name
Shelly Lewis, EBRPD Public Information Supervisor
News
The East Bay Regional Park District will have a soft opening for the garden portion of Dry Creek Cottage and Garden in Union City on Saturday, September 15 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Dry Creek Cottage was a popular summer home of the three Meyers sisters of Alameda during the early and mid 1900s.
"The opening of this beautifully restored garden is long-awaited and will be such a pleasant visit for residents of Hayward, Fremont, and Union City," says Carol Severin, East Bay Regional Park District Board Member whose ward includes Garin/Dry Creek Regional Parks. The cottage, garden, and hiking trails sit at the end of May Road off Mission Boulevard. "You'd never know that just a short drive down the road is this tranquil and lovely piece of history," says Severin. A newly created parking lot enabled the District to open the garden and provide access to trails at the south end of Dry Creek Regional Park which is adjacent to Garin Regional Park.
Since 1993, the Park District has been restoring the garden and pathways and reconstructing foot bridges over the creek along with establishing a new parking area. The two-acre garden is home to nearly 200 native and exotic plants, with something in bloom just about every day of the year.
Edith, Mildred, and Jeanette Meyers were very involved in local charities and hosted several fundraising events, including a large August event with over 400 guests. "At the time, it was the social event of Alameda County," says Park Supervisor Ron Mueller. According to Mueller, the Meyers sisters also owned the 1,200 acre Dry Creek Ranch, which was donated to the Park District in 1979 and later opened as Dry Creek Regional Park. Upon the passing of the last surviving Meyers sister, the cottage and its garden was also donated to the Park District.
The Park District plans to eventually open the cottage for events such as receptions and weddings, and also house a small visitor center inside.
Following the September 15 opening, the garden will be open to the public every Thursday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An official dedication and grand opening is scheduled for the spring of 2008. The parking lot will be open all week until dusk, offering easy access to the park's southern trails.