Live in Fremont? Then, this hidden little park is a port of call for you if you are the kind of person who loves picnics, social events, and hanging out with your family members. The park is not crowded and is safely enclosed with beautiful sceneries comprising of trees and rocks for children to explore. In fact, the lovely trees and greenery are skillfully arranged whereby trees are marked with signs on them portraying brief plant information for the aspiring botanists. Also, the park has shaded picnic tables equipped with trash cans to keep the area around clean and pleasant all the time.

Today, the Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum is a habitat for different species of trees that are between 130 to 150 years old. Among them is the famous Moreton Bay Fig whose origin is New Zealand, Belota from Chile and Ginkgo tree from China. With so many fun things to do in and around Fremont, the housing market for new houses is on the rise.

Let’s take a brief look at the history of the Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum and visiting details:

Brief History of the Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum

The Shinn House and Arboretum date back to the 1850s and is a four generation home for the Shinn family. The house itself is located on a four-and-half acre of the Shinn family farm and nursery. However, it was handed over to the city of Fremont where it was declared as a historic site and park in the 1960s. Apparently, the house and the ground are a reminder of early Alameda County rich rural history and a pleasant location to visit for a brief tour and a stroll in the beautiful gardens.

Its location at the warmer end of the county quickly became a focal point for early agriculture in the post-Gold Rush era. The facility’s name was then changed to Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum in 1994.

Touring the Park

For any group that desires to tour, the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation is handy in providing tours of the Shinn House twice a month. Precisely, tours are conducted on the first Wednesday and the third Sunday of the selected month.

Apart from group tours, individuals can make reservations on their own. Furthermore, the park is open to learning institutions whereby schools are open to arrange for tours of the facility as well.

The Annual Special Events

The historical park in conjunction with the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation always offers mainly two uniques events mostly on every third Sunday of two months which are July and also October.

In addition, the foundation provides three tea parties during the year.

Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum Gardens

The gardens at the park are well maintained by the volunteers from the Friends of Heirloom Flowers Garden Club. This task is carried out on Tuesdays from late morning to noon and it involves weeding, designing, planting and pruning of those lovely gardens. The club also hosts monthly events like the field trips to various different parks which will also enlighten the public on topics related to gardening.

Another important factor to remember is that the lawn area in front of the Big House is sometimes reserved for private rentals from April all through to September and has a maximum capacity to host two hundred people.

Since the Historical Park facility use is always in high demand, the permit to utilize them is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis and is available for booking to a year in advance. Therefore, make your upfront payment to book a slot to tour the park with your loved ones.