Birds and butterflies thrive at Concord's Brazil Quarry Park -

Birds and butterflies thrive at Brazil Quarry Park — *Although tiny and hidden, Brazil Quarry Park has a butterfly garden, playground and tree-lined walking path. (Photos by Lisa Fulmer)*

CONCORD, CA – Editor’s note: Fourth in a series on Concord and Clayton parks.

Brazil Quarry Park is tucked away in the middle of a quiet neighborhood on the east side of Concord, near Clayton and Ayers roads.

Surrounded by a tree-lined walking path, this four-acre open space sits adjacent to Mt. Diablo Creek, a 17-mile watershed that flows from Mt. Diablo to Suisun Bay. A connecting path from the park travels north along the rocky creek bed to Concord Boulevard.

The children’s play structure is small but nicely turfed, and the main lawn in the center is vast and sunny – perfect for that game of catch with your favorite baseball or football. It’s a quiet place that’s also dog-friendly, as evidenced by the well-stocked plastic bag stations for picking up after your pooch.

Birds and butterflies

This park is also quite the hotspot for birdwatching. Concord’s resident birder, Albert Linkowski, has observed 80 different species.
This park has attracted a variety of volunteer efforts over the years. The colorful butterfly garden at the park’s entrance was developed as an educational environmental project for students at some local schools, in partnership with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. A group of 60 high school girls cleaned up the park a few years back as part of a community beautification project. A local Boy Scout once earned his Eagle Scout rank by refurbishing the horseshoe pit. The neighbor’s chickens might even fly their coop to come to the fence line and watch you play.

As you drive down Kent Way to the park, you’ll also get to see Concord’s Geodesic Dome home, which was built in 1985 with energy efficiency in mind.