Photography by Jessica Freels

Residents in Walnut Creek value their environment. In the 1970s, Miriam La Rieu gifted her gorgeous property to the city to be used as a park after her death. The 10-acre park on Camino Corto, with its sweeping views of Mount Diablo, opened in 2007, four years after Lar Rieu died. Other than the demolition of Miriam’s decomposing home, nothing has been done with the undeveloped park.

Ten years later, and after consideration of community survey responses, city leaders are weighing in on what the future might look like at La Rieu Park. As part of the 2016-18 Capital Budget, the City Council appropriated funding to evaluate and complete park improvements at Lar Rieu Park. Amenities recommended for the initial phase include: Lar Rieu Memorial Garden, walking trails, viewing benches, picnic areas, community orchard, parking lot, par course, and relocation of the onsite CERT storage container. The park’s revival is cause for celebration for anyone who needs a meditative place to walk, think and rest.