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May Ranger Programs
Explore upcoming programs featuring activities led by
LARPD Rangers at Sycamore Grove Park!
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Campfire Cooking Class
Fri, May 2, 4:30-5:30 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Join Ranger Seth at Sycamore Grove Park for a cozy campfire cooking session! Learn to make cheesy bread, his famous chili, and a sweet s’mores pie. REGISTER
Star Wars Creatures
Sun, May 4, 2-3 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
May the fourth be with you! Celebrate the creatures of Star Wars on this day with Ranger Doug. REGISTER
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Night Hike with a Ranger
Sat, May 24, 7:45-9:45 pm
Sycamore Grove | Nature Area Entrance
Who comes out after dark at Sycamore Grove Park? Join Ranger Rudy on an after-hours walk to learn about nocturnal animals and their adaptations. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. REGISTER
| | Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities | | |
Native Garden Work Days
Fri, May 16, 9 am-11 am
Sycamore Grove | Wetmore Entrance
Our gardens highlight plants native to the area and their incredible ecological and cultural connections. We are always happy to have volunteers help around the garden, regardless of their experience with gardening and/or native plants. VOLUNTEER
Open Space Volunteer Days
Sun, May 18, 9 am-12 pm
Sycamore Grove | Wetmore Entrance
Keep our park safe and beautiful when you volunteer to help with trail maintenance, litter pick-up, removing invasive plants, and more! VOLUNTEER
| | Native Plants at Sycamore Grove | | |
Sycamore Grove Park is home to two native standouts—California Sagebrush and California Mugwort. Sagebrush thrives in dry areas and supports local wildlife, while Mugwort prefers wetter spots and has a rich history of traditional uses.
You can find both along the trails and in the park’s native gardens, where volunteers help care for them during monthly workdays. Keep an eye out for these local favorites on your next visit!
| | LARPD School Nature Programs | | |
Spring is blooming with discovery as Ranger-led School Nature Programs are in full swing, both in the classroom and out in the park.
Local students are getting hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world, guided by LARPD Rangers who bring science and ecology to life.
These interactive programs foster a deeper appreciation for the environment while aligning with school curriculum standards.
Schools interested in booking a ranger-led experience—either in-class or out in the field—are encouraged to reach out and reserve a spot today.
| | Meet the Cattle of Sycamore Grove Park | | Visitors to the Upper Property of Sycamore Grove Park may notice some new four-legged residents—our helpful herd of cattle! These bovine friends play a crucial role in managing non-native plants and maintaining low vegetation, which helps reduce fire risk. MORE INFO ABOUT GRAZING | | Cattle at Sycamore Grove | What You Need To Know | | |
Sat, May 3, 9-10 am
Sycamore Grove Park | Wetmore Amphitheater
Join us for a public education event with our cattle grazer and LARPD staff at Sycamore Grove Park!
Learn how our new cattle grazing pilot program helps manage vegetation, supports healthy ecosystems, and what we're doing to minimize trail impact. Plus, get helpful tips for exploring safely near grazing animals.
| | Hikers at Brushy Peak were treated to breathtaking views and blue skies, pausing to soak in the stunning scenery—worth every step! | | Ranger Jay and the Ranger Explorers soaked up the spring sunshine at Brushy Peak! Adventure, learning, and nature fun were in full bloom! | | California Poppies: Nature’s Golden Crown | | |
As spring brings color to Livermore’s trails and parks, the vibrant California poppy takes center stage. This iconic state flower, known for its silky orange petals that respond to sunlight, not only adds beauty to the landscape but also plays an essential role in local ecosystems.
Ranger Danny's article highlights the poppy’s cultural significance to Indigenous Californians, its practical appeal for gardeners due to its drought resistance, and clears up common misconceptions about legal protections. Ultimately, the California poppy is celebrated as a resilient emblem of the Golden State’s natural charm and spirit.
| | Discover Places to Ride in the Park | | There's no better time to hop on your bike and soak in the wildflower displays throughout the park! Whether you're looking for a peaceful solo ride or a family adventure, our scenic trails offer something for everyone. (Picture provided by: Nicole Nicolay.) | | |
Start your journey on the main paved path, a smooth 2.5-mile ride from the Wetmore entrance to the Arroyo entrance.
Then, if you're ready to explore a bit more, check out these beautiful dirt trails:
- Winery Loop
- Dry Creek
- Wagon Road Loop
- Valley View Loop
- Quail Run
- Cattail Pond
- Harrier
- Meadowlark Loop
- Arroyo Del Valle Connector
⚠️ A Few Reminders ⚠️
- The Patterson Ranch Trail is closed to bikes.
- Remember to keep your speed under 15mph when riding in the park.
- Motorized bikes without pedals are prohibited throughout the park.
We appreciate your cooperation in keeping everyone safe!
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June Ranger Programs
Explore upcoming programs featuring activities led by
LARPD Rangers at Sycamore Grove Park!
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Lights Out Night Hike
Sat, Jun 7, 8-9 pm
Sycamore Grove | Nature Area Entrance
Join Ranger Seth to see Sycamore Grove Park in a different light-- at night! No flashlights, no headlamps, or lanterns allowed. We are going totally dark on this one. REGISTER
Early Bird Walk
Sun, Jun 15, 7:30-8:30 am
Sycamore Grove | Arroyo Road Entrance
The early bird gets the worm...and possibly more bird sightings! Join Ranger Jay for a slow-paced walk to look and listen for birds. REGISTER
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California Butterflies
Sun, June 22, 2:30-3:30 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Join Ranger Doug and learn surprising facts about these beautiful insects and their significance to our ecosystem. REGISTER
Sycamore Summer Games
Sat, Jun 28, 2:30-4:30 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Come out to Sycamore Grove prepared to test your skills in the 4th annual Sycamore Summer Games! Activities may (or may not!) include Native American atlatl tossing, scavenger hunts, plant and animal identification, oak gall golf, wet sponge tossing, and underwater basket weaving. REGISTER
| | Spring Nature Camp at Sycamore Grove Park | | |
A wet start didn’t stop Spring Nature Camp from being a hit! Campers and staff embraced the weather with energy and curiosity, exploring nature and having fun throughout the week.
The sun came out just in time for a beautiful finish, including a scenic wildflower hike on Patterson Ranch Trail. Rain or shine, the adventure never stopped!
Next up... Summer Nature Camp! Register today to join the fun!
| | Storytime Hike on Magpie Loop Trail | | |
The Mighty Pollinators is the latest storybook on the Magpie Loop Trail just beyond the Native Garden at the Wetmore Entrance. It is filled with poems by Helen Frost and beautiful photographs by Rick Lieder.
To find the beginning of this child-friendly trail and book, walk to the back of the Native Garden near the Wetmore entrance and look to your left for the first page.
At the end of the trail and the book, you’ll be rewarded with information about our pollinators and poetry writing.
| | | "Picture This" at Sycamore Grove Park | | |
Calling all wildlife photographers! Have you captured a picture in one of our open spaces worth sharing?
We are collecting photo submissions for our next "Picture This" contest at Sycamore Grove Park!
The next theme is "Spring Wildflowers."
Send your pictures to natureprograms@larpd.org for a chance to be featured at the Wetmore Entrance.
Please submit photo entries before June 29th to be considered.
| | Spotted at Sycamore Grove Park | | | | |
Check out these awesome photos of a not-so-common Lawrence’s Goldfinch, snapped at the Arroyo entrance on 4/21/25 by Lisa Tarte.
📸 Got a cool nature photo of your own? We'd love to see it!
Send it our way: natureprograms@larpd.org
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PRIME TIME
Adult & 50+ Programs, Pop-Up Trips, Socials, Classes and Events
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DISTRICT NEWS
LARPD News, Events, and Updates
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REC GAZETTE
Recreation Programs, Camps, Classes and Special Events
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