Berkeley Rose Garden

If you're a regular JourneyLeaf reader and you haven't already guessed, gearing up for our move also means trying to squeeze in the last few posts about our East Bay adventures.  I know some folks who are new to the area, so I am I'm working on a list of fun venues/events with links to blog posts -- sort of a "JourneyLeaf Guide to the East Bay."

Here are some photos of a return visit to one of my favorite spots, the Berkeley Rose Garden.  This free public garden was one of the first places I explored after moving here.  (The terrances and steps don't seem so steep now that I'm no longer pregnant!)

Looking down on the garden, the Golden Gate Bridge lost on the hazy horizon...

 

Once a wiggly lump, now he's a running tot full of questions and energy... 

 

 

 

Some might think a small boy wouldn't be interested in flowers, but I think most kids like taking a closer look at the world when they can discuss what they see with an attentive adult.  Eli and I had a grand time deciding which flowers we like best.  (I love pink and yellow roses while he likes the bright red ones.)  We talked about roots and stems and flowers.  We talked about rain and sunshine and soil.  I don't know what he'll remember, but we both had fun.  

 

 

 

 

 

One Mama's Two Cents:
There is a lot of rocky terrain and uneven pavement in the rose garden.  To be honest, I didn't think to look for a ramp or stroller access.  A sport stroller should be able to make it through the upper portions of the garden.  As for toddlers, until fairly recently I probably wouldn't have felt good about having Eli moving up and down so many cement steps unless I was holding his hand.  At three and a half, however, he loved exploring the unusual space and I could give him a little freedom.  There are some forested trails and wooden bridges that he particularly loved. 

Comments

[Amber]

Ah, the rose garden! We lived 2 blocks downhill from it when we first moved to Berkeley and used to walk up and ramble through it regularly. There is also a little tunnel further towards the tennis courts that takes you under the street to a pretty cool playground, softball field and place where we used to kick around a soccer ball. Its a beautiful spot, especially with the roses in full, gorgeous bloom!