Crane Park is a 12-acre recreational complex located in St. Helena with 6 lighted tennis courts, 8 lighted bocce ball courts, 2 Little League baseball fields and one sand volleyball court as well as children’s playgrounds, individual and group picnic areas and restrooms.
Recently, Crane Park has undergone a revitalization that included the introduction of a farmers market and demonstration garden. This initiative, spearheaded by Northeast Earth Coalition Inc. in Montclair with Friends of Crane Park and supported by Montclair Center Business Improvement District, demonstrates how to grow flowers and vegetables in small spaces.
Demonstration Garden: A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Space
In the spring, with help from various individuals, a demonstration garden was planted at Crane Park to demonstrate what can be accomplished even in a small space, according to David Wasmuth from Friends of Crane Park who helped select plants for it. The aim is to demonstrate what can be accomplished even with limited space, according to Wasmuth who served on the selection committee for this project.
German and Wasmuth say their garden is also intended to attract birds such as wrens and cardinals. As it grows, there are plans to add more beds in the future.
This tranquil garden is the ideal spot for relaxation, exercise and to take a walk or run in nature. It’s also an ideal spot to catch up with family and friends or get away from the city for a while.
In addition to the garden, Crane Hill Park features a disc golf course, playground and large field for sports. One popular trail is the Crane Loop/Twelve Mile Trail that starts at the kiosk on Crane Hill Road and ascends towards a high point (280 feet) on the park’s disc golf course. At this point hikers have two choices: come downhill towards the parking lot or continue on towards Twelve Mile Brook via an alternate trail that skirts some tees and holes from the disc golf course.
From the Eighth Tee on the disc golf course to its end, Twelve Mile Brook trail follows in its path and provides mostly easy hiking. There’s a stream crossing at the beginning, some rocky terrain and bushwhacking through ferns along with several footbridges crossing it at various points.
