Markham Regional Arboretum

1202 La Vista Ave, Concord, CA 94521

History

A small group of Concord people who loved gardens started the Markham Area Arboretum Society in 1981. Their intention was to convert their property, a portion of which was sold by Ira and Bea Markham to the City of Concord in 1966, into a beautiful arboretum.

They decided to fulfill Markham's vision of leaving all the people of the area a legacy of natural beauty to enjoy. It was a dream of a place full of exotic and fascinating trees , shrubs, and plants from all over the world that thrives in our inland – yet marine-influenced environment – hot days and cool summer nights, with dark, frosty winter nights.

Today Markham Nature Park and Arboretum is less than 20 blocks from downtown Concord and is a spot of quiet beauty. With its main entrance at the southern end of La Vista Avenue, most of it is still in its natural condition, with only a slightly tamed vegetation. It passes across shade-dappled Galindo Creek.

Visit this place

Markham Nature Park and Arboretum is a 17 acre natural beauty island near the heart of Concord city centre. The Markham is special among local parks as the focus is on peaceful exploration. The serene environment includes a very active nursery, filled with the rare, uncommon and whimsical and staffed by people including landscapers, arborists, native plant enthusiasts and master gardeners.

The International Garden, a sprawling yet-compact set of demonstration gardens surrounding Bud Hansen Arbor, won't be missed. This area displays climate plants such as ours that will motivate you and inspire you to try them out in your garden.

Oh, and separate rose and camelia gardens, a bee farm, a community garden, a path that links to other parks… What are you waiting for? Are you excited to come and check out the park?

Markham is Concord’s secret garden, still waiting to be discovered by many residents of the area — and that is definitely YOU!

Park Admission and Parking: Free

Park Hours: Open from dawn till dusk, 365 days a year