Restoring the Environment

You have probably noticed the planting that has been done along the footpath and the banks of the creekbed. The lower portion of Adobe Creek, from the rock wall seen at the last stop, to the river, is currently being restored by the City to a tidal marsh environment. This is being done by terracing, planting native plants, and maintaining a low gradient to the creek so the tide water can flow up to the rock wall. The land you see between the Creek and the Dog Park is also restored tidal marsh. The marsh was leveled in the 1880's creating land useable for agriculture. The levee was breached in the 1970's when the City purchased the land. Once the levvees were broken and the tide water was allowed to enter, the plants of this former agricultural field died off. The creatures (discussed at later stops) adapted to a saline environment and daily tidal flooding returned. Restoration projects like this are undertaken in hopes of returning ecological systems to their natural state.

Tour text from "Self Guided Tour of Shollenberger Park" available on site.