Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Alvarado Park

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

1. Alvarado Park Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Alvarado Park (Grand Canyon Park) was established in 1909 and soon became a popular destination for visitors from throughout the Bay Area. From the mid-1930s to 1943 Richmond installed the park's rock and concrete walls, barbecue pits, and stone light poles much of this construction was done by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) whose members included local Italian-American stonemasons. These workers built the stone bridge across Wildcat Creek in 1936.

At the recommendation of the East Bay Regionl Park District, Alvarado Park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 37° 57.144′ N, 122° 19.341′ W. Marker is in Richmond, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of McBryde Avenue and Park Avenue. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 5755 McBryde Avenue, Richmond CA 94805, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Alvarado Park (here, next to this marker); Native Peoples of the East Bay (a few steps from this marker); Where the Deer and the Antelope Play (approx. 0.2 miles away); California & Nevada Railroad (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Supermarket/Foster's Freeze (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ranchos to Ranches (approx. 0.9 miles away); Park Theatre (approx. 0.9 miles away); Arrival of the Strip Mall (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

More about this marker. The marker is located in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, about 300 feet in from the park entrance,
near the small pavilion in the picnic area.

Also see . . . NRHP Nomination form (National Archives Catalog). "Alvarado Park consists of 42 acres of sloping land, together with the canyon of Wildcat Creek, on the west side of the Richmond Hills. The park location was chosen for the lushnessofthe damp, tree-lined canyon, and the rock prominence that marks the entrance. The park's original developer, Bernard Shapiro, envisioned his Grand Canyon Park" — the name was

Alvarado Park Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

2. Alvarado Park Marker - wide view

changed to Alvarado Park in 1923 — as a showpiece of nature within the patchwork of residential lots that his company had subdivided on two sides of the park. Although touted asa "natural wonder"in early accounts, Alvarado Park was, from its earliest inception, an urban park whose natural features were enhanced by the liberal use of concrete. Park features include thousands of freestandimg, and retaining walls and barbecue stoves of cast concrete, rock and broken concrete slabs, respectively; a stone bridge; stone light poles; and mature landscaping. (Submitted on March 1, 2020.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.