5 - Native Live Oak Grove
The Native Live Oak Grove is a pretty section of the park that is
partially wooded with the namesake oaks, with grass in between. It
runs from a valley along Fulton Street up a hillside to Conservatory
Drive West.
This is a large, pleasant grassy spot with a mix of shade and sun.
It's slightly hilly, and you get a bit of noise from the street
traffic. But few people come here, and you should be able to enjoy
plenty of privacy.
While this place can be reached from Conservatory
Drive West, it is most easily found by taking the paved path which
enters the north side of the park between 3rd and 4th Avenues. After
about 50 yards, you'll see two foot paths going to the left, with a
sign between them prohibiting biking on either. Take the right-hand
path, which goes uphill.
After about 100 feet, there is a large, flat clearing
on the left. (If you continue straight all the way up the hill to
Conservatory Drive West, you've gone about 50 feet too far.) Walk
across this clearing, heading downhill and back toward Fulton Street.
After about 20-30 feet, you'll come to another clearing that is out of
view from the path.
This place has a nice view across the oak grove toward
Fulton Street. Of course, having a view goes hand-in-hand with being
visible, so you may want to choose a spot that can't be seen from the
houses along Fulton.
1 - Mallard Lake
2 - Bison Paddock
3 - Rhododendron Dell
4 - 26th
Avenue South
5 - Native Live Oak
Grove
6 - McLaren Lodge
