Walking Waterhoods: Temescal Creek — Frog Park and Little Frog Park Preview

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Oceanus mural

A watery world awaits along the section of Claremont Ave that passes under Highway 24. The Oceanus mural was one of the first CalTrans murals painted in California and depicts an underwater scene complete with sharks, a diver, and other fanciful underwater creatures. The mural was painted by students from Laney and Vista Colleges in 1977 and restored by Gary W. Graham in 2003. Most modern murals are sketched onto their surfaces with the help of high-powered projectors, but older murals like this required grid systems to be properly sized onto spaces.

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New Playground Area

This recently renovated play area celebrated its grand opening on February 9th, 2020. The new features include additional swings, including two swings for toddlers, two standard swings, and one ADA-compatible swing. Other features include a three-way seesaw, a rotating pyramid structure with climbing nets, and new resilient play surfaces.

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Hardy Dog Park

Constructed in 1995, Hardy Dog Park was the first of its kind in Oakland. Owing largely to the advocacy of the Rockridge Community Planning Council, dogs can romp around in this pup play area located under Highway 24.

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Frog Park Entrance Mural

Visitors to Frog Park are welcomed by a mural depicting frogs in a wetland scene filled with water lilies. The painting is dedicated to Kevin Faughnon and painted by Caroline Stren/DecoArt

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Faux Creek at Frog Park

Inside this first section of Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt in Frog Park, you’ll find the beginning of a faux creek which runs the length of the park. This constructed creek is unique in that it roughly follows the path of Temescal Creek which now runs underground. Water is pumped from the creek below to create a seasonal "reconstituted creek" above. Originally built in 1974, the faux creek consisted of just the small headwater area in Hardy Park (now Frog Park) before it was extended in 2001. Along most portions of the greenbelt, the faux creek is continually being restored with improved channels, native plants, and small boulders for creek crossing. Many people are unaware that this is not a true, seasonal creek.In 1972 the Frog Park section of Temescal Creek was culverted by the Alameda County Flood Control District. They encountered resistance to culverting the creek from people in this neighborhood, so they decided to build the faux creek in an effort to appease the community. The faux creek, run by the ACFCD, pumps water from the culvert below up into the “reconstituted creek” above.Originally the faux creek only ran during the summer because in the winter leaf debris would clog up the channel and the creek would start to flood. The creek is often "turned off" due to concerns with algae, blockages in lines causing flooding, and E. Coli outbreaks. The Friends of Frog Park Community group works with ACFCD and the City of Okland to coordinate creek clean ups.

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Faux Creek Pump in Frog Park

At this point, you'll see the covering for the pump that controls the faux creek. Take note of the grate behind it. During the winter, the sound of the creek rushing by increases as storm runoff flows into the creek.

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Frog Park Directional Logo

This mosaic was created by Eileen FitzFaulkner, the former chair of the Big Build Committee, a subcommittee of FROG. There was originally a round depression in the sidewalk. To prevent visitors from tripping on uneven ground, this colorful frog mosaic was installed here.

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Frog Park Playground

Children can explore castles, forts, and maze-like passageways at Frog Park Playground. The wooden structure features lovely wood carvings and other charming embellishments that make it a unique delight. The park includes bridges, ladders, slides, spider nets, and monkey bars. A large turtle sculpture sits in a sandbox area for younger children to enjoy. The back fence lining the playground features heartwarming artwork created by children. Leathers & Associates designed the play structures and drew inspiration from community meetings where adults and children alike shared their ideas for what they’d like included in the park. The unique play structures were built during the "Big Build" of October 2001. A community of roughly 1,300 volunteers came together to help with construction over a period of 10 days.

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Discovery Scopes

Continuing along the greenbelt path, you'll see one of several concrete monoliths. These strange structures are artist Mark Brest Van Kempen's Discovery Scopes. An interpretive link to the creek's past, one can peer into each telescope to view one of many bronze sculptures. Most of these sculptures depict native wildlife while one shows the likeness of an Ohlone mortar. Follow the map to find them all. Though some of the scopes have been vandalized, there is an example of each of the bronze sculptures at a kiosk toward the end of the walk.

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Birdhouse

You’re sure to spot this brightly painted birdhouse. This bright blue avian abode sits on the pathway at 5341 B. Miles Avenue, the forest path connecting Frog Park and Little Frog Park.

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Discovery Scope & Sculpture - Calippe Silverspot Butterfly

Callippe Silverspot Butterfly Discovery Scope & Sculpture: If you spot a flash of silver on the underside of a butterfly's wings, you may be lucky enough to have seen a Callippe silverspot butterfly (Speyeria callippe callippe). These once abundant butterflies are now listed on the federal endangered species list. The medium-sized butterfly can have a wingspan of up to 2.2 inches. Their brown upper wings are studded with black spots and lines while their orange-brown and tan undersides feature their telltale black and silver spots. There is only one flight of adult silverspots each year. They can usually be seen from mid-May to mid-July. Like many other types of butterflies, Callippe silverspot butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis and transition from egg to larval to pupal before reaching adulthood.

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Discovery Scope & Sculpture — Cooper's Hawk

Cooper’ Hawks reside in forested groves and areas of dense vegetation. Their mottled brown plumage and striped tail provide excellent camouflage when they are perched in the tree canopy. They are woodland hunters skilled at maneuvering silently through trees to prey on small birds, and in more populated areas, they will sometimes snatch unsuspecting songbirds from bird feeders.

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Frog Artwork

Drawing inspiration from the park’s name, this trash receptacle features a beautiful mosaic art piece featuring a frog. The mosaic is located at the intersection between Clifton Street and 5341 B. Miles Avenue. Mosaics began popping up on trash cans as part of an Oakland beautification project that began in 2010.

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Discovery Scope — Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were given their current name after being found in nearby San Leandro Creek in 1855 by Dr. W.P. Gibbons, founder of the California Academy of Sciences. Originally, they could only be found in the waters off of the Pacific Coast of North America. Not so today — rainbow trout can now be found in waterways all over the world. These adaptive fish that once swam in Temescal Creek can live in freshwater, brackish water, and marine water. Sadly, no rainbow trout, or fish of any kind, can be found in Frog Park's faux creek. The sculpture once highlighted by this Discovery Scope is no longer in place.

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Fox Squirrel

You’ve likely seen a fox squirrel (Scirus niger) in parks and green spaces around your home. This species of squirrel was introduced in this area and has slowly started to replace the native western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus). Fox squirrels eat acorns and pine nuts from the same native trees as the western grays, but will also eat human food and non-native plants that western grays won’t. They’re comfortable nesting near humans and aren’t bothered by living in a fragmented habitat, while the mostly arboreal western grays rely on a continuous stretch of mature oaks to provide food and shelter. Protecting stretches of native trees and restoring these habitats will create healthy homes for both of these species.

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Coast Live Oaks and California Buckeyes

The second block of Frog Park's faux creek continues along behind the Oakland Claremont DMV. Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and California buckeyes (Aesculus californica) are some of the native trees you'll encounter along the way. Acorns from the coast live oak and other oaks were a critical source of food for the Ohlone. When acorns were ready to be harvested, families would work together to dislodge the nuts from the trees and collect them. The acorns were then stored in granaries until they were ready to be processed and turned into flour. If the acorn harvest was lacking in a particular year, the Ohlone substituted the buckeye's nut-like fruit.

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Discovery Scope & Sculpture — Pacific Chorus Frog

Pacific Chorus Frog Discovery Scope & Sculpture: The Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla) is one of the most abundant amphibians that can be found on the west coast of North America, dwelling in habitats such as redwood forests and deserts. Pacific chorus frogs typically stay in undisturbed areas near water. Their San Francisco Bay Area population has been reduced to a tiny fraction of its size in the last 60 years, primarily due to development and other human impacts.This amphibian has two distinct features that separate it from other frogs: its toepads and a dark stripe that extends from its nose through its eye and down its body. An adult frog is usually 1-2 inches long (3-4.5 cm). Their colors range from lime green to brown and they have the ability to camouflage themselves. During the mating season, gender can be distinguished by looking at the color of their throats; males have a dark brown or yellow throat while females have white throats.

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Brittlegills

Brittlegills (genus russula) is a genus of fungus with a central white stem, creamy flesh, and a brightly colored cap, though the color of this cap can vary. Some brittlegills only grow near one specific kind of tree, while others act as generalists and grow near a variety of trees. Because of the structure of this mushroom’s cells, its flesh has a crumbly texture and snaps like a piece of chalk.

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Western Redbud

The Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is a deciduous shrub native to California. When dormant, tightly packed stems have a warm red tone, and from February to April, it has fragrant pink, showy flowers. It's naturally deer-resistant and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and songbirds. Indigenous people used the twigs of the redbud in basket weaving and the bark provides a faint reddish dye.

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“Views of the Greenbelt”

“Views of the Greenbelt,” the discovery scopes art project by Mark Brest Van Kempen, is detailed in this interpretive sign. Locations of the telescopes are mapped on this plaque.

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Red Osier Dogwood

The red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a shrubby plant that is native to California. It prefers wetter spots close to creeks, and it is often planted along streams to prevent soil erosion. Red osier dogwood has small white flowers that typically bloom from July to August, attracting native bees. It's also host to the spring azure butterfly. The indigenous Ohlone tribelets boiled the inner bark to make dyes and used the stems in basketry. Other native peoples, like the Lakotas, used the bark in smoking blends.

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Lusk Cannery

Where the Claremont DMV now stands was once the largest cannery in the world, built by Josiah Lusk in 1868. Lusk had his own 350 acre farm from which he canned many products, including pickles and fruit. Before refrigeration, canning was a way to store and eat foods throughout the year whether they are local or in season or not. Amazingly, Lusk employed up to 1,000 white and Chinese workers, including children, for what were reported to be grueling 12+ hour shifts. In the early 20th Century, the East Bay was known as the "canning capital of the Pacific."

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Discovery Scope — Ohlone Mortar and Pestle

The Ohlone relied heavily on the mortar and pestle not only for their food preparation but also for their medicinal practices. The women primarily used the mortar and pestle to grind acorns into a fine flour. This flour was a very central part of their diet, often made into hearty soups and bread. Mortars and pestles were also used to grind herbs then used in medicinal remedies. Mortars and pestles are still used extensively — you may even find one in your own kitchen!

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Western Hardwood Sulfur Shelf

Western Hardwood Sulfur Shelf (Laetiporus gilbertsonii) is a parasitic fungus that thrives on oak and eucalyptus trees. You can find these mushrooms in stumps, on dead fallen trees, and on the base of live trees. Also known as Chicken of the Woods, these mushrooms can be collected and eaten when they are young. The color of this fungi depends on its age; younger mushrooms have a salmony color, while older mushrooms take on a tannish hue.

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Discovery Scope — Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Discovery Scope (Sculpture no longer there):The western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) can be found from Canada to northern Mexico. These snakes are often found near water, including by Temescal Creek. Keep your eyes out for a snake with a greyish-green back and yellow bellies. You may also spot a bright yellow stripe running the length of their body. Female garter snakes are generally larger than males. Happily, these snakes are harmless to people, as their venom is very mild and can only be effectively delivered to small prey.

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Hare's Foot Inkcap

Hare's foot inkcap (Coprinopsis lagopus) can be identified by its white color overlaid with striking black gills. Young hare's foot inkcap looks almost nothing like the mature version of this mushroom. When this mushroom first grows, it features a bell shape and is covered with a furry white coat. As it matures, the mushroom flattens out, and the rim turns upward so that it looks like a black-striped bowl. For all its beauty, this mushroom's fruit body cycles through these stages in the span of 24 hours.

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Glossy Privet

The glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is native to China, Japan, and Korea. An escaped ornamental plant, it has now spread throughout the U.S. Although this plant is considered an invasive species in California, when the glossy privet blooms between June and September, the strong fragrance of the flowers attracts butterflies like the western tiger swallowtail. Although this plant is not toxic for humans, it is toxic for pets like dogs and cats.

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Anna's Hummingbird

Look up and you may just spot the ruby head of an Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) zooming by. The Anna's hummingbird lives in the San Francisco Bay Area year-round, and is the most common hummingbird found on the West Coast. They feed on insects and nectar and are found in a variety of habitats from urban gardens to oak woodlands. During their breeding season, the males put on an impressive display. They will sing, fly up to 130 feet in the air, then suddenly dive toward the ground. The air rushing through their tail feathers creates a squeak-like sound during the dive which attracts the females.

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Little Frog Park Entrance

This cheerful sign welcomes visitors to Little Frog Park, which was formerly known as Redondo Park. This park features play structures that are especially great for kids.

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Discovery Scope & Sculpture — California Newt

The California newt (Taricha torosa) have backs that can range from dark brown to gray while their bellies are a distinctive golden-orange. During winter, the California newt emerges from under rocks and logs to make the journey to nearby streams and creeks to mate. Keep your eyes peeled for their orange bellies, especially after a heavy rainstorm. Be sure not to touch these creatures, as their skin secretes the same neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, found in puffer fishes. Tetrodotoxin is 100 times more toxic than cyanide. When they’re not migrating to bodies of water to mate, these salamanders spend their days eating small insects. They are often endangered by cars when their routes cross, such as in Tilden Park where South Drive is closed for their annual migration.

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Faux Creek in Little Frog Park

At the intersection of Redondo Street and Clarke Street lies Little Frog Park, which is the terminus of the Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt. A bridge leading to the park’s redwood-shaded playground crosses the last segment of the faux creek.

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Little Frog Park Playground

Fittingly, the playground in Little Frog Park looks somewhat like a miniature version of the larger playground in Frog Park. The playground includes a wooden ship structure, slides, and mini castles. Take a look at the ceramic tiles that line the back fence of the park. These tiles were made by community members who donated $25 for each tile as a part of the fundraiser for the Big Build campaign in 2001.