Howe Homestead Park

2950 Walnut Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94596

The Howe Homestead Park is a short walk to the center of the town and the west entrance to Shell Ridge. Through crossing the old stone bridge from Howe Homestead's parking lot you get an impression of the town in the early 1930s. Walking distance from Kovar Trail to Mount Diablo Crest is 10 miles. On the first day, first serving, a small picnic area is available, and the main part of the park has a toilet.

The park is James Howe's former home, an Associated Press reporter at the turn of the 20th century. Born in Kansas, he traveled around the world to speak to many people who influenced the world, among them Lenin, King George V and Gandhi, about the earthquake and the First World War of 1906.

Upon moving to Walnut Creek in 1935, he had the house restored and developed his home. He was a winer, a palm grower, a noodle grower, a gourmet and a dealer. At first, this park of 6.5 acres was home to James and Mia Howe who bought the property in 1910. When the mainstream media wasn't an extraordinary word, Howe was a legendary Associated Press Global reporter. Named "Gopher Gulch," it now houses a park and a series of community gardens, because the estate is still home to a large number of gopher holes. There is a waiting list to get one of the garden sites for five years.

A small collection of old farming tools, including a walnut huller, is also displayed appropriately. The Kovar Trail runs from the park to the open space of the Shell Ridge to those who are so inclined and eventually to the peak of Mt. Diablo. Yet amid the hunt for a short break from the chaos of the day, Howe Homestead Park is a great place to visit.

The most compelling aspect of this park may be the Kovar Walkway, which leads to the open space behind Shell Ridge. When you walk through the garden, you will see a degrading sign that reads tenderly "Kovar Trail" You will take this path all the way to a three-way crossroads on the top of a hill. Just turned right and ended up ascending some steep slopes. There is a magnificent viewpoint over Walnut Creek, the beautiful hills and the autobahn 24 and 680. This route is one that is less well-traveled, so that you can enjoy the views.