Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center

Bear Creek Regional Park spans about 845 acres with different habitats including scrub oak, ponderosa pine forests, meadows, and areas with mountain streams. The park has multiple facilities such as tennis courts, soccer fields, an archery range, and designated off-leash dog areas.

The site was a county poor farm from the late 1800s to the early 1980s, where residents grew food and lived in buildings on the grounds. This agricultural past left a mark on the land and continues to shape how the park is used today.

The nature center runs programs throughout the year where visitors can learn about the plants and animals that live in the park's different habitats. Staff members explain how local species adapt to the landscape and what role they play in the ecosystem.

The park is easy to reach and has trails for walking and hiking at different difficulty levels. Visitors should wear good shoes and be prepared for changing weather depending on the season.

A community garden on the grounds preserves a gardening tradition going back to 1900 and grows organic vegetables for local use. This garden connects the site's past as farmland with its present-day role in the community.