About Walnut Creek's Heather Farms

2011 Education Series at The Gardens at Heather Farms (Walnut Creek, CA)

Turns out the Heather Farms Garden is not just a beautiful place to visit, it is also a great place to learn! Their 2011 Winter Adult Education Series (you can register online or find out more information at www.GardensHF.org or call 925.947.1678):

Botanical Motifs in Silver Clay with Lois Inman Engle, Artemis Designs, Certified Precious Metal Clay Artisan. This is a full day workshop for beginners as well as experienced students. $45 is the average material cost. The class will take place Saturday, January 15, Time: 9am-5pm.The cost is $55 for GHF (Gardens at Heather Farms) members and $65 for non-members.

Ecology for Healthy Gardens with Jennifer Berry, Ecologist and Garden Designer. This workshop combines best practices from permaculture and ecology to show how gardens can function as ecosystems to naturally control pests and disease. The class will take place Saturday, January 22, Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm. The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

Rose Care Throughout the Seasons with Carla Preisler, GHF Board President, Master Gardener, professional pruner, and Patrice Hanlon, GHF Garden Manager. Learn from two masters about sustainable rose care. The class will take place Saturday, January 29, Time: 9am-12pm. The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

Flower Arranging: Buds, Bark and Brancheswith Najat Nicola, Diablo Women's Club. The first class will be a demonstration by the teacher. In the next three classes students will work on their arrangements (must provide their own materials). The classes will take place February 4, 11, 18 and March 4 from 9am-noon. The cost is $55 for GHF (Gardens at Heather Farms) members and $60 for non-members. A materials fee of $15 covers flowers for the first class.

Japanese Maples Demystified with Barry Hoffer, Arborist and owner of Maples For All Seasons. This class will teach you all about how to choose the correct variety for your space, how to correctly prune your tree, and how to care for it. The class takes place Saturday, February 5, Time: 10am-1pm. The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

Creating Hypertufa Containers with Darien Eckberg, principal and owner of Darien Eckberg Designs. Hypertufa is a lightweight material composed of Portland cement and horticulture additives that yield the look of stone or granite without the weight. There are two one-day sessions on Saturday, February 12 & Saturday, March 19, Time: 10am - 1pm. The cost is $75 for GHF members, $85 for non members (per class).

Successful Small-Space Gardening with Suzanne Arca, Design/Build Contractor, Horticulturist, Educator. This is the one I am most interested in, since if I want to grow my own vegetables and plants, I only have my back deck to do it on. I can't wait to learn how to make the most of that space! The class takes place Saturday, February 19, Time: 9am - noon. The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

Plants that Love Heat and Clay with Susan Handjian, Garden Consultant and Coach. You will learn about many plants from Mediterranean climates that thrive in hot/dry climates and can also tolerate dense clay that holds onto water. The class takes place Saturday, March 5, Time: 9am - noon.The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

From Laundry to Landscape: Greywater Reuse and Rainwater Harvesting for the Backyard Gardener with Laura Allen of Greywater Action. Learn how you can transform your home and yard to collect and reuse your water resources. This class takes place Saturday, March 12, Time: 10am-1pm. The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

Introduction to Biointensive Gardening with Janet Miller, educator, Master Gardener, head gardener at "Our Garden" at the Contra Costa Times. Learn how to grow more food than you ever thought possible in your own back yard, organically and sustainably (I will also be taking this class, I'm very excited to learn how to start growing my own food). The class takes place Saturday, March 26, Time: 9am-1pm. The cost is $20 for GHF members and $25 for non-members.

I found at least two of these classes very interesting to me, hopefully there is something offered that interests you as well! Sounds like a great Winter Adult Education Program that they have put together for us, let's take advantage of it.

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The Walnut Creek Chamber Art & Wine Festival returns to beautiful Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek!

Date and Times: Saturday, June 5, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 6, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Festival admission is free.

Featuring top-quality music and entertainment on two fully-equipped sound stages. The festival showcases thousands of distinctive hand-made crafts and works of art from more than 200 artisans, award-winning local and regional wines and micro brews, ethnic and traditional festival fare from local restaurants, loads of children's activities, and two perennial favorites - the Art & Wine Festival Train and the Grape Stomp Competition.

Fun for the whole family! The expanded Children's Area features inflatable jumpies, giant slide, challenging 25-foot rock climbing wall, face painting, spin art, and a few surprises this year that will delight both kids and adults.

Heather Farm Park is located at San Carlos Drive and Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. The community jewel boasts 102 lush acres including nature ponds, picnic areas, children's playgrounds, and foot and bike paths with connections to the Iron Horse Trail. Paid parking is available on site; and a free continuous shuttle is available at park and ride locations originating at nearby Shadelands Business Park. The East Bay Bicycle Coalition will be on site offering free bicycle valet services.

Designated drivers receive their own special Designated Driver souvenir glass and free soft drinks!

Walnut Creek is a beautiful place to live, work and play! If thinking of moving to Walnut Creek or the surrounding area, please give me a call and feel free to search the MLS for available homes.

Walnut Creek, CA...Easter Egg Hunt at Heather Farm.

Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010

Walnut Creek's annual Spring Eggstravaganza at Heather Farm begins at 10:15 a.m. for children through 5th grade. The egg hunt will be held rain or shine and is free of charge, although donations are greatly appreciated.

Hotcakes, sausage, juice and coffee will be served before the egg hunt at Heather Farm Community Center from 8 to 9:45 a.m.. The cost for the breakfast is $6 per person and is being co-sponsored by the City's Recreation Division and the Walnut Festival Association.

Don't forget to bring your camera for pictures with the Spring Bunny. The $1 donation will benefit the Walnut Creek Youth Council.

Heather Farm is located at 1540 Marchbanks Dr.., Walnut Creek, CA 94598. This 102 acre site includes the following amenities:

Amenities: Swimming at the Clarke Swim Center, tennis, picnic areas, community center, equestrian center, skate park, off-leash dog park, bike paths, tot lots, sand volleyball court, fishing pond, nature pond, six athletic fields, restrooms, connection to the Iron Horse Trail.

Thinking of moving to Walnut Creek? Feel free to search the local MLS for available homes for sale.

Happy Easter!

Bancroft Village

Sherry Hutchens is an Empire Realtor who specializes in working with buyers and sellers throughout the Diablo Valley. She especially loves Bancroft Village. I was able to speak to her about this charming community, and this is what she had to say!

Q: Where is Bancroft Village?
A: Bancroft Village is in the heart of residential Walnut Creek, a few moments from downtown via Ygnacio Valley Road. It's bright, clean, well-kept, and close to everything! It's bordered by a park and a canal trail, so it's also a great place for people who want active lifestyles close to nature.

Q: What kind of homes are there?
A: Bancroft Village is a PUD (planned unit development) built in several phases during the 1970s and 1980s. It is made up of 400 townhouses, ranging from 2 bedroom/2 bath up to 3 bedroom/3 bath. Each townhouse has a small courtyard in front, an attached 2-car garage, and a backyard.

Q: How would you describe this neighborhood?
A: Bancroft Village used to be known as a Rossmoor alternative. If you wanted a nice home in a good location, but didn't want to deal with the care of a house and the yard, and you weren't quite ready for Rossmoor, then Bancroft Village was an excellent place to call home.

These days, you'll find a wide range of homeowners - everything from senior citizens enjoying retirement, to families who want their children to attend the excellent Walnut Creek schools, to singles and newly married couples who are pleasantly surprised by Bancroft Village's affordable homes.

Q: Why is it called Bancroft Village?
A: Bancroft Village was built on what used to be the Bancroft family farm, founded in 1880 by Hubert Howe Bancroft and made up of approximately 400 acres of walnut and fruit trees. Mr. Bancroft, an avid collector of books about the American West, also gave his name to the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley.

The family farm was passed down through the family and as the city of Walnut Creek grew and farming moved east to the San Joaquin Valley, the land was gradually sold off to developers including the one that built Bancroft Village.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden on Bancroft Road is the last remaining piece of undeveloped land from the original farm. In 1989, it became the first garden in the United States to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy and has been open to the public since 1992. If you've never visited, you're in for a real treat! Don't be surprised if you catch a peek of Ruth Bancroft - she's still active in the garden at 100+ years old.

Q: What makes Bancroft Village so popular?
A: Many reasons, including the fact that it is a clean, well-kept and affordable complex where the exterior of the homes, front lawns, common areas and streets are all maintained by the financially healthy HOA. There are two sparkling pools and several tennis courts on the premises. Feel like a walk? The Contra Costa Trail is just steps away. How about a visit to Heather Farm Park? Bancroft Village homeowners have special access via a locked gate at the back of the complex. And downtown Walnut Creek, with its world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, is only a short, five-minute drive away.

Interested in becoming one of the Village people? Contact Sherry today, she can give you the grand tour and show you some homes that you will love.

Looking for other neighborhood information? Check out our blog!

posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates

Heather Farm Community and Recreational Park is situated on 102 acres and located in Walnut Creek, CA. It's a gorgeous park with views of Mt. Diablo in the background. The park has a Swim Center, tennis, picnic areas, community center, equestrian center, skate park, off-leash dog park, bike and walking paths, six athletic fields, tot lots, sand volleyball courts, fishing pond, restrooms and connects to the Iron Horse Trail. It's also the home of the annual Walnut Festival carnival.

The Gardens at Heather Farm buttons up to Heather Farm Park. Established in 1968, the gardens are a living museum, a wildlife habitat, an outdoor classroom and a beautiful place for all to enjoy. For more information about Walnut Creek and all it has to offer, visit the city's website at www.walnut-creek.org

Enjoy the video!

Terri Adams-Scott, REALTOR®, Prudential California Realty