Exciting projects are in the works at one of Concord’s community gems: Newhall Park!
The City of Concord has approved the Newhall Park Water Quality Project with a goal to bring big improvements to the park.
Both ponds in Newhall will be dredged, or in other words, excess sediment will be removed to clear the ponds.
While the dredging is being done, invasive plant species will be removed and many native plants, trees, and seeds will be planted!
All water flowing into the Newhall ponds comes from Galindo Creek, part of Mount Diablo’s creek system.
By dredging the pond and planting native species, Newhall Park can better support its countless birds, amphibians, and many other animals, which are all a part of the greater Mount Diablo ecosystem.
View of Mount Diablo from Memorial Hill in Newhall Park. Photo: Steven dePaschalis
The mayor of Concord, Laura Nakamura, says the project is a great opportunity for Concord residents and the park.
“One of my priorities has been to ensure that Concord moves forward without losing sight of the natural places that make our city so special—places that are almost literally in our backyards. The Newhall Park Water Quality Improvement Project demonstrates that environmental stewardship and community investment go hand in hand. By restoring habitat and improving water quality today, we’re building a healthier, more resilient Concord for tomorrow.”
The project is set to begin early August 2026 and be completed in December 2026.
Ducks, Ducks, and . . . More Ducks! Pond Palooza!
A female and male wood duck in Newhall Park. Photo: Vicki Anderson
After a park cleanup day at Newhall last year, Vicki Anderson, a Concord resident and wildlife photographer, had the idea of installing duck boxes around the ponds to help with wood duck nesting habitat.
Concord city leadership enthusiastically offered to help get them installed and reached out to Clayton Valley Charter High School with the project idea.
Students in the engineering academy were then able to apply their skills to design and build the boxes. They coordinated with the Concord Public Works on the installation and presented their finished boxes to the City Council.
This past spring, city crews put up the boxes near the ponds just in time for nesting season!
Wood duck ducklings in Newhall Park. Photo: Vicki Anderson
Newhall Park is one of many places around the city where wildlife and nature thrive. The pond improvements, planting of native species, and nesting box installations just show how our Concord community is constantly giving back to the places we all love!
