November Regional Nature Journal Club Field Trip @ Gardens at Lake Merritt

Come for one garden, stay for the other fifteen!

The Gardens at Lake Merritt are an incredible oasis in the middle of an public urban park. It's a generous buffet of journaling yum!

Wander around the Bonsai Garden, Community/Edible Garden, Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Lakeside Palmetum, Rhododendron Garden, Sensory Garden, Succulent Garden, Vireya Display Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Bay Friendly Demonstration Garden. Water features calm and soothe, and views of the lake are a short walk away.

From the website: "a seven-acre collection of themed gardens, is conveniently located in the heart of Oakland at Lakeside Park, our nation’s first wildlife refuge." [https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/lakeside-park]

• Learn more about the location here: https://gardensatlakemerritt.org and here: https://www.lakemerritt.org/gardens.html
• Free; Suggested $20 donation for the Wild Wonder Foundation.

Field trip hosts:

• Kate Rutter, Regional Nature Journal Club Trip host

Weather note:
If for any reason excessive heat or rain is forecast for the day of the field trip, wear appropriate clothes/grab an umbrella and come anyway. There’s are some covered areas, and we can journal the in wet conditions! Do note that conditions may be windy, wet or cold, so dress in layers, bring a hat and plenty of water and sunscreen.

Transit & Parking:

• Public Transit is readily available:
• AC Transit NL from San Francisco
• AC Transit buslines run throughout the area
• AC Transit trip planner: https://tp.actransit.org/#/
• Take BART to 19th Street + 15 min walk
• Street parking is sometimes available for free (5 min walk from closest street parking road)
• Paid parking is $5 along Bellevue Ave

How to find us:
Meet at the entrance to the gardens, in front of the Lakeside Garden Center at 666 Bellevue Ave. (If you come a little late, look for people sketching. :)
* Location Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/x7KvgQYXYEtuwNar8

Bring:

• Seasonally appropriate clothing / dress for variable (including CHILLY or WINDY) weather.
• Sunscreen and hat.
• Waterbottle (water is available onsite.)
• Nature journaling supplies.
• Potluck Lunch: Bring potluck treats to share for lunch, and bring your own bowl and spoon.
• A sense of wonder and humor.
• Anything else to make the day lovely for you: folding stool, magnifying loupe, umbrella, depending. ;)

Flow of the day:

• We'll gather together for our opening circle at 10am and do short intros and a warm-up. Then we'll head out for journaling, either in small clusters, or solo, whichever you prefer.
• We'll re-gather together at 12:30 for lunch, to share work, and to socialize. Then we'll head back out for more journaling!
• We'll meet again at 3:30 for a final closing circle and connection time, then wrap.

Good to know:

• Open to all ages and ability levels. No registration is necessary. $20 suggested donation.
• Accessibility: paved and relatively flat and accessible pathways; benches and seating; Wheelchair accessible drinking fountains.
• Bathrooms: unsure if available. The public bathrooms may be closed. There are businesses nearby, about a 10-min walk away.

Bring friends and family!