Hap Magee Ranch Park

1025 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526

Hap Magee Ranch Park is a 16.3 acre park jointly owned by the Town of Danville and the Alamo (Contra Costa County) community. For its historic structures, casual recreation uses, location on a major regional trail, artistic memorial sites, and governance of Alamo-Danville, the park is unique in the San Ramon Valley. Many valley parks are spectacular with mature trees and special design features but Magee captures a rustic sense of place successfully.

The Magee Ranch

The next owners were Harry, and Juanita Magee. Their friend, Hap Magee, was an exceptional local cattle rancher, and storyteller. In 1953 he moved into a new home (now the Magee Home) with his new wife Ruth. The land was heavily graded following the completion of the freeway in 1962-64.

Many people today still remember the Hap calf-ropings jackpot on the northern part of the property hosted for the public. After he passed away in 1985, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) purchased an option for the property from Ruth Magee in 1986 and held it until 1987.

Hap Magee Ranch Park

In 1987, the property was purchased from TPL by the County of Contra Costa (on behalf of R7A in Alamo) and the Town of Danville, each of whom owned a half indivisible interest. The Agreement on Joint Powers dates to 22 May 1987. A joint Danville-Alamo) committee was established to supervise the park's development and operation. All agencies have agreed to provide similar sums of funds for the preparation, growth and maintenance of Magee Park.

Immediately began planning for the park and the Master Plan was adopted in 1988. The Plan notes that the park will preserve and draw on the site's historical / western character and permit only casual sporting activities.

Two historic houses on the site were gradually restored and maintained, a process that continues. The employees of Danville stayed in and restored the Swain and Magee houses which are now available for public rent. The YMCA rented the Cottage for over a decade and provided a regular presence in the Park.

In 1993, the East Bay Regional Park District constructed a steel bridge across San Ramon Creek, linking the Regional Las Trampas to the Mount Diablo Regional Trail (for walkers, bikers, and equestrians). The Orphans' Memorial Drinking Fountain and the Indian Commemorative Site were designed by artists and were both built in 1997.

An elaborate play system for children with a ranch theme is tucked into the property near the historic cottages, and includes a sand volleyball court, common water features, and picnic tables covered. The Canine Corral, a large and small dog park with turf, 1 1/2 acre off-leash, is open north of the cottages. A traditional gazebo was built in the park by the Danville Sycamore Valley Rotary and is mostly used for weddings. The Bounty Garden was founded in 2013 to provide local food banks.

Magee Park is an enchanting landscape jewel. The park is well serving a wide range of park tourists with the construction of play structures and dog park, a "passport" tour that takes third graders to the Indian commemorative site and a wedding gazebo and a regional trail.