Sulphur Creek Nature Center

 

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Rebecca R.

Hayward, CA

Read about Sulphur Creek Nature Center in the HARD brochure and decided to visit after reading about their bird rescue. The BF and I packed a picnic lunch for our visit about a month ago and we were truly impressed with the birds and animals they had there.  We did not expect to see as many raptors, snakes, foxes and coyotes.  We did want to hike on their trail they had nearby, but it was closed due to goat grazing.  You almost forget that you are in Hayward, until the police sirens blaring near by send the coyotes into a howling fit.  ah, good ol' Hayward.

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Elite '08

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Linda M.

Hayward, CA

Here is another hidden gem in Hayward that took me five years to find.

What a cool park!  We came here recently for a birthday party and have returned several times since.  The park itself is so pretty, from the parking lot you walk down wooden stairs and over a creek bridge into the woodsy area where you can look at wildlife such as bald eagles and coyotes.  There is a lovely picnic area with grills and lots of shade.  For birthday parties, they bring out animals for the kids to experience close up... we saw and touched a tortoise and chinchilla, among other things.  And they educate the kids about wildlife at the same time.  Fun and educational for me as well as for the children.  

Can't bring my dog though.  Understandable, but sad.  She would love it.

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Elite '08

74

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Lilly O.

Hayward, CA

Have you ever seen a golden eagle rip the head off of a rat? I got to see it up close and personal at Sulphur Creek....this place is awesome!!
There are tons of animals that were rescued and cannot be returned to the wild....owls, eagles, hawks, foxes, coyotes, snakes, just to name a few.
They have special classes to sign up for and the kids can pet the animals and do a little art project.
The staff is super friendly and will sometimes get out the tarantula for us or let the kids feed meal worms to the chickens. They have also told us the names and stories of a lot of the animals; I am very sorry that all the lovely animals were hit by cars, dropped by hawks, or shot at, but I am glad we get to visit them at Sulphur Creek.

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Lilasmom r.

San Leandro, CA

This is a great nature facility (for the animals) and for anyone who wants to take a tour.

If you encounter a sick wild animal you can take it down there, no problem.

My gripe about this place is that they aren't very organized anymore regarding volunteering.

My daughter and her friends put in volunteer application safter they told us (SC) they were accepting them and they never called.  I called them and they told me and I quote "this is not a daycare service and we're not here to baby sit anyone's kids".  Nice.

The facility is very "clicky" now there are not just a few "certified" employees now, there are many and it would seem that they are "particular" about who volunteers and who doesn't.

(its volunteer work people, get a life!)

Anyway, if your considering wanting your teen to apply for voluntary work there, they would have to apply during "fall" and not summer because they want their volunteers to commit for a year.  Then they might "allow" you to come back and work in the summer. (ladee da!)

I voluteered years ago (like 15 years back) and things were quite different.  There weren't as many volunteers, they didn't have the budget they have now, and they were alot more humble regarding volunteers and training.

Since when did the animal rehabiliation feild become pretentious?

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Elite '08

60

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tasha s.

Hayward, CA

it's small but this is a great place for a birthday party. we have had 2 there, and now been invited to one there as well. i love to have parties here b/c i can't stand those big box jumpy house places ... with all the noise.

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Jill O.

Houston, TX

This is a great place to learn about local wildlife! They are mainly a rehabilitation facility for injured or abandoned wildlife. I used to volunteer my summers here and they really take their job seriously, using every precaution not to domesticate any recovered wildlife in order to later return them to the wild. Their second focus is to educate people, especially children, about wildlife animals. They teach them everything from the basic facts about the animals to how to handle a confrontation with an animal in the wild (it varies what kind of animals they have rescued, but I have seen everything from hawks to raccoons to possums to foxes and baby wolves). Also, on the weekends, they have a "lending library" where you can take home small animals (such as rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs) for a week to practice caring for a pet. This is a great resource for children who want pets. On top of all of that, they always have fun events going on (arts 'n crafts, face painting, Halloween haunted house, picnics, etc.) and they have tons of opportunities to volunteer for both children and adults alike.

If you are in the Hayward or San Lorenzo area, this is the place (and not a government-run animal shelter) that you would want to call if you find any injured, or even just disruptive, wildlife.

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