Markham Regional Arboretum

History

In 1981 the Markham Area Arboretum Society started a small community of Concord citizens who enjoyed gardens. Their aim was to turn their house, a portion of which was sold to the City of Concord by Ira and Bea Markham in 1966, into a lovely arboretum.

They wanted to fulfill Markham’s dream of leaving a legacy of natural beauty for all the residents of the region to enjoy. It was a vision 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 climate-hot days and cool summer nights, with cold, 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 close to the center of downtown Concord. Between local parks the Markham is unique as the focus is on peaceful exploration. The serene atmosphere includes a very active nursery, packed with the rare, unique and whimsical people like landscapers, arborists, lovers of native plants and master gardeners.

Not to be missed is the International Garden, a sprawling but compact collection of demonstration gardens surrounding Bud Hansen Arbor. This area shows climatic plants like ours that will inspire you to seek 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 definitely you’ll be one of them soon!

Park Admission and Parking: Free
Park Hours: Open from dawn till dusk, 365 days a year