Concord Gives New Meaning to the Great Outdoors
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Spending an afternoon in the park in Concord can mean so much more than tossing around a Frisbee or grabbing a cooler packed for a picnic … although you can do that too.
There are farmer’s markets, outdoor concerts and, of course, playgrounds.
And there is the Mount Diablo Mountain, where serious hikers can test their endurance.
“There’s a lot of interest in the parks and recreation here,” says Parks Manager John Rego. “People get involved in different aspects of the park, from soccer and tennis to hiking.”
Longtime resident John Mercurio loves to spend most of his weekends outdoors, which is one of the reasons he moved back to Concord after trying to live elsewhere. You can find him hiking, mountain biking or even playing in one of the many playgrounds with his two children.
But it’s not just the activity he loves, but the break from congestion and traffic the open spaces provide.
“When you drive through an open area, I like to think it gives you a break from the chaotic nature of things,” he says. “The city of Concord does a great job of maintaining the parks. The grass is green and everything looks pretty. You can be proud to go there.”
It’s the city’s commitment to the upkeep of the parks that makes them such a draw to residents, new and old.
“Parks add to the quality of life and are valued by business owners planning to locate in Concord,” says Laura Hoffmeister, redevelopment agency chair and councilmember for the city of Concord. “They add to the quality of life for our residents. They provide children and families with a place to go to enjoy the outdoors. They provide a green oasis in the midst of our built-out community.”
And with 27 parks, more that 1,000 acres of open space and over 3,000 acres of developed parkland to choose from, residents can spend every weekend of the year enjoying a different aspect of Concord.
Here are just a few spots vying for your outdoor attention.
Todos Santos Plaza
Host to the year-round farmer’s market, this community gathering place was one of the original blocks laid out for the city of Concord more than 125 years ago. The granite stage holds concerts during the summer, and a child play area is a destination for families grabbing some sun during the day. “It’s a very rare facility for a downtown to have,” Rego says. In fact, more than 100,000 people enjoy the plaza every year.
Newhall Community Park
The 126 acres of Newhall Community Park include the “Paw Patch,” where dog lovers can let their critter comrades mix and mingle off their leashes. “It’s a big ticket attraction,” says Steve Voorhies, senior recreation program manager. The 2-acre dog park was built in 2001.
Hillcrest Park
The park’s play area, built in 2007, accommodates children of all abilities. “It’s a universally acceptable playground that has received many awards,” Voorhies says. “It has musical instruments and large decking areas for kids in wheelchairs, as well as kids who are fully mobile. It’s a beautiful, one-of-a-kind playground.”
MOUNT Diablo
Serious hikers and weekend cruisers can wind their way through thousands of acres at Mount Diablo. Located in Clayton, hikers can access the park through trails that lead out of Concord. And if you make it to the summit on a clear day, you can see for more than 200 miles.
Story by Hollie Deese
Photo by Ian Curcio
