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PARK INFO
34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Fremont, CA 94555
Brochure
Trail Guide
Phone Number
(510) 544-2797
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4504
Local Weather
Panorama Maps
View Trail Map
Ardenwood Map
Google Map
Transit & Trails
Park Hours
Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day Open Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day
Park Events
>Upcoming Events
>Special Events Flyer
Parking Fee
None
Entry Fee
See entry fee
Dog Fee
No dogs allowed
Grazing Information
Grazing in the Parks
Group Picnic Reservations
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2
Naturalist Programs
510-544-2797
Browse programs online
Go to program guide
Download Interpretation brochures
For Educators
Plan a field trip to this park
Related Articles (PDF):
- Crossword Puzzles
- Farm Life
- Laundry; 19th Century
- Scavenger Hunts
- Seeds of Change
Emergency Number
911
EBRPD Headquarters
1-888-EBPARKS or
1-888-327-2757
Park Update
Birds of Garden & Field
Ardenwood Historic Farm is an island surrounded by suburban development. Once the center of an over 3,000 acre farm, today only 205 acres remain. But the farm is not just an agricultural island with 100 acres of fields, it is also one filled with wildlife. The park is a refuge for birds who feed, roost, nest or just pass through. Birdwatchers have recorded 99 species in Ardenwood’s orchards, gardens, fields and groves.
Through a more than year-long citizen science project, staff and visitors carefully recorded bird sightings. These numbers were crunched and the result is the newly published “A Guide to the Birds of Ardenwood Historic Farm”. This handy checklist includes seasonal information and abundance. So grab your binoculars and enjoy the farm’s birds – everything from red-shouldered hawks and western bluebirds to Nuttall’s woodpeckers and Allen’s hummingbirds.
From the area's first inhabitants to the Patterson family, you can explore the farm's history, gardens and grounds with Ardenwood's new tour booklet. You can discover the park's history and meet the farm animals on this enjoy easy ½ mile stroll. You can pick up your free tour booklet at the Train Station or download a copy HERE (PDF)
For information concerning all of Ardenwood's naturalist programs click here or please call:
(510) 544-2797
or Email: awvisit@ebparks.org
Ardenwood Historic Farm
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New Lambs Have Arrived
The farm's new lambs for 2013.
About The Park
George Washington Patterson came west in 1849 to seek his fortune in the goldfields of California. Instead he "struck gold" in the fertile farm fields of southern Alameda County.
This farm was originally owned by the George & Clara Patterson family from the 1850s. It was turned over to the City of Fremont in 1978, and the East Bay Regional Park District has operated the property as a fully functioning, turn-of-the-last-century farm since 1985. A visit here is a journey back to the time of the 1850s Patterson Ranch--a prosperous, 19th-century country estate with a beautiful Victorian mansion and elaborate Victorian Gardens.
The farm still grows the same kind of produce that was grown in the region in the last 100 years, utilizing agricultural practices from the 1870s to the present, demonstrating the transition from horse-powered to horsepower farming. The interpretive staff and volunteers, attired in Victorian clothing, guide guests through the Victorian house, demonstrate farm chores, and explain what life was like in the early 1900s. From December to mid-February monarch butterflies overwinter here.
| Submit Your Photos to the EBRPD Photo Pool |
Since Ardenwood is a working farm, the daily activities change from season to season so no two visits will be exactly alike. Visit our Naturalist Program page for more information and schedules before your next visit.
Ardenwood Historic Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, year round, including Labor Day and Memorial Day. Ardenwood is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For picnic reservations call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. There is no parking fee. Dogs are not allowed in the Ardenwood Historic Farm.
Restoration and operation of the Patterson House Museum is a project of the city of Fremont. Costumed docents conduct house tours (April-mid-November). For information call (510) 791-4196 or visit the City of Fremont's Ardenwood web page.
Fresh picked organic vegetables are sold just inside the main gate. The stand is open daily from late May through October. For information, visit J. E. Perry Farms website.
> See and download all of the Ardenwood Interpretive Panels
Entry Fee
April 1, 2013 to November 24, 2013 Summer entry fees:
Tues., Wed. & Sat.--$3/adults (18+ years), $3/seniors (62+ year), $2/children (4-17 years), Under 4 years - free.
Thurs., Fri. and Sun.--$6/adults (18+ years), $5/seniors (62+ year), $4/children (4-17 years), , Under 4 years - free.
November 25, 2013 to March 31, 2014 Winter entry fees:
Tuesday-Sunday--$3 adults, $2 children (4-17 years) , Under 4 years - free.
Patterson House is closed November 18, 2013 to April 1, 2014
Train and Blacksmith shop are closed November 25, 2013 to April 1, 2014.
Special Event Entry Fee
$8/adults* (18+ years), $6/seniors* (62+ year), $5/children* (4-17 years)
*Special event entry fees may vary. Please call (510) 544-2797 or email awvisit@ebparks.org for updated information.
Ardenwood Historic Farm is open on Memorial Day & Labor Day.
Park Features
Some of the park features include the followings:
- Arden Station and Deer Park Station: Board the horse-drawn train here. The ride takes kids more than 100 years back in time on a ride into the park with docents dressed in period costumes. For information, visit the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources (SPCRR) website
. - Victorian Garden: The garden area looks much like it did near the turn of the 20th century.
- Patterson House: Home to three generations of the Patterson family. It began as George Patterson's bachelor farmhouse built in 1857. The house was expanded with a Queen Anne addition in 1889 as the family, the farm, and their place in East Bay society grew.
- Animal Farms: At Ardenwood, you will see sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, goats, and cows.
Download: Ardenwood Farm Animals (760 kB, 2pp)
- Blacksmith Shop and Equipment Shed: The blacksmith fires up the forge. Look for vintage equipment, farm animals, and farmcraft demonstrations in the shed. For information, visit Ardenwood Forge website.
Park Activities
Naturalist Programs
Through Ardenwood's educational programs, visitors can see and participate in many activities common to a turn-of-last-century farm. Weekdays, naturalists provide programs for school classes and other groups by reservation. Call (510) 544-2797 for information.
Download: School and Group Reservation Form for Naturalist programs
Non-reservation weekend programs include the planting, tending and harvesting of Ardenwood's organic crops, farm chore demonstrations, and hands-on experiences for the whole family.
Special Events
Special events include an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration, Harvest Festival in October, special music concerts, recreations of Victorian social events, and Ardenwood's Victorian Christmas in December and more. To see a list of upcoming special events, visit EBparks Online to browse programs or register online, or visit Special Events page.
Ardenwood Farm Docents
Share your enthusiasm for history! We're looking for people who want to learn to cook on a wood stove, demonstrate antique farm machinery, and teach historic crafts such as spinning, weaving, and toy making. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help our staff create a welcoming atmosphere for schoolchildren and families. Our five-session training course begins in March. Call (510) 544-3284 or email jscimeca@ebparks.org for an application and details.
Weddings and Picnics
For more information, please see our Weddings/Social Events/Business Meetings page.
Note: Dogs are not permitted in the park. Modern recreational equipment (i.e. frisbees, footballs, soccer balls), bicycles, balloons, and BBQs are prohibited.
Activity Schedule: April 1, 2013 to November 24, 2013
| Day of the Week |
Naturalist Programs |
patterson |
Train Ride |
Blacksmith Shop 2013 Schedule(pdf) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monday | Park Closed* |
Park Closed* |
Park Closed* |
Park Closed* |
| Tuesday | Intermittent (See: "Nature Nearby" Program Guide) |
Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Wednesday | Intermittent (See "Nature Nearby" Program Guide) |
By Reservation Only | Closed | Closed |
| Thursday | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Friday | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Saturday | Yes | Yes | Closed | See: 2013 SCHEDULE (PDF) |
*Ardenwood Historic Farm is open on Memorial Day and Labor Day
Park Accessibility
The majority of facilities in Ardenwood are wheelchair accessible: Patterson House, Hay Barn, Blacksmith Shop, Train Ride, Granary, Café, restrooms, Produce Stand, and wedding and reception sites. Most of the roads are paved and there is no significant grade changes. Click here for public transit information.
To Reach The Park
From I-880 in Fremont, take the Decoto Road/Dumbarton Bridge/Highway 84 exit. Go west on Highway 84 toward the Dumbarton Bridge. Take the Ardenwood/Newark Blvd. exit and turn right (north) onto Ardenwood Blvd. The park entrance is ahead, on the right.
Public transportation: Take AC Transit buses #232 or #264 on weekdays and
#332 on weekends from Union City BART to the bus stop on Newark Boulevard
under the freeway. To return, the bus stop is on Newark Boulevard just
south of the freeway in front of the shopping center.
Click here for more public transit information or call 511 (TDD/TTY: 1-800-448-9790) to confirm transit information.
Transit & Trails: Ardenwood Historic Farm (transit, biking, and walking directions)
Trail Map
Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.
When the enlarged version of the map opens click on the 'Full Expand' icon in the lower right hand corner of the map to see the 'Actual Size' map.
When the 'Actual Size' map is viewable, you can 'Click-Hold and Drag' the mouse button (left on a PC) to reposition the map, as desired.
'Single-Click' on the 'Enlarged' or 'Actual Size' map to return to the park page.
