Short Summary

Garber Park is a 13-acre wildland park owned by the City of Oakland located behind the Claremont Hotel in Claremont Canyon. Garber Park is home to significant stands of big-leaf maple, California buckeyes and regenerating coast live oak woodland and forest. The Garber Park Stewards vision is to safeguard the native wildland resources of Garber Park while reducing the risk of wildfire and improving the trail system.

Garber Park Habitat Restoration Events


FEBRUARY VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS!

Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month

9AM-12PM (Noon)



SATURDAYS, February 3rd and 17th
FROM 9:00AM - NOON
MEET AT Fireplace Plaza

Thanks, everyone, for your continued support and help in Garber. We look forward to having you join us in our February Volunteer Days! If you are not on our email list for announcements and would like to be notified of workdays and special events please contact Wyllie at gpstewards@gmail.com.  

Below are some of the projects in Garber. We have been working on these projects throughout 2022 and 2023, and will be working through 2024 to make Garber as Fire Safe as possible, and the trails safe and enjoyable for your walking pleasure.
  • Several Restoration Sites: Hardwood Creek, Fern Glade, Alvarado Rd Entrance and Evergreen Lane Hillside need much TLC in removing invasive weeds to enable the native plants to grow. Hardwood Creek and Fern Glade are beautiful sites in Garber and good flat areas to work. 
In addition we have several special projects:
  • Continue removing Cape Ivy - a project championed and led by Steward Volunteer Mark.
  • Uncaging mature oaks and caging young oaks, buckeyes, and big leaf to prevent the deer from eating them. 
  • Conduct a French broom sweep and pull any broom we find. This is a project we do every year since we got rid of all the broom in the park four years ago. The seeds remain viable in the ground for many years and require us to remove them each year to maintain Garber as "broom free" as possible.
  • Trail Work: Many spots along the trail need steps replaced, bridges crossing the creeks replaces, and eroded trails shored up for safe walking. As many of you know the trails in Garber are steep and narrow, making this hard but very rewarding. If you're interested in trail work, please reach out to us. 
What to wear: a mask, long sleeves, long pants, and good shoes or boots for trail (no open toes).  

What to Bring: gloves, a water bottle, snacks, You can use our tools if you don't have them. 

Where to meet:  Fireplace Plaza, just below the Evergreen Lane entrance to Garber Park. 

Directions: From Ashby Ave take Alvarado Rd to Slater Lane, Slater Lane to Evergreen Lane, turn Right onto Evergreen Lane. Garber Park is at the end of the street, and Fireplace Plaza is just down the stairs past the entrance. You can park on the side of the street but please do not park in any driveway or individuals parking pad.  For those who don't mind a short, but steep walk up the hill you can park at the Claremont Ave parking lot and walk up the trail, until you hit the stairs. A map and directions to both entrances can be found at garberparkstewards.org.

Everyone welcome. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a WAIVER signed by their parent or a responsible adult.