Markham Regional Arboretum

History

A small group of Concord people who loved gardens started the Markham Area Arboretum Society in 1981. Their purpose was to turn their land, a portion of which was sold by Ira and Bea Markham to the City of Concord in 1966, into a beautiful arboretum.

They wanted to fulfill the Markham dream of leaving all the people of the region a legacy of natural beauty to enjoy. It was a dream 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 environment – hot days and cool summer nights, with dark, frosty winter nights.

Today Markham Nature Park and Arboretum is less than 20 miles from downtown Concord and is a spot of peaceful beauty. With its main entrance at the southern end of La Vista Avenue, much of it is still in its natural state, with only a slightly tamed vegetation. It flows through shade-dappled Galindo Creek.

The Place

Markham Nature Park and Arboretum is a natural beauty 17-acre island near the center of Concord. The Markham is special among local parks as the focus is on peaceful exploration. The serene environment includes a very active nursery, filled with the rare, uncommon and whimsical and staffed by people including landscapers, arborists, native plant enthusiasts and master gardeners.

The International Garden, a sprawling yet-compact collection of demonstration gardens surrounding Bud Hansen Arbor, won’t be missed. This area displays plants from climates like ours that will encourage and empower you to try them in your garden;

Oh, and separate rose and camellia gardens, a bee farm, a community garden, a path that links to other parks…Isn’t it amazing?

Markham is Concord’s beautiful secret garden, still waiting to be discovered by many residents of the area — just like you!

AMENITIES

Park amenities include:

• Bud Hansen Wisteria Arbor
• Community garden plots
• Garden Center headquarters of the Markham Arboretum Society
• Summer day camp facility