By Kathy Chouteau
One of my favorite natural landmarks to visit in Richmond for a little slice of serenity — and some Native American history to boot — is the boulder tucked away in the trees at Mira Vista Park.
Baxter Creek watershed, which runs above and below ground on its way to the bay, winds currently unseen through the little park. Years ago, it was an important resource for the Native Americans of our region, according to A Cultural and Natural History of the Watershed Project by Lisa Owens-Viani and prepared by The Watershed Project. Which brings us to the large boulder at the park.
As the story goes, the Ohlone Native Americans of the Huchiun clan used to grind their acorns into gruel on the boulder, so often that they made sizeable grooves in the rock that remain to this day. The Native Americans also carved petroglyphs in the park’s rocks and lived off the natural resources along the watershed. According to Owens-Viani, it is believed that Native Americans, possibly even pre-dating the Ohlones, used the park’s rocks for important rituals and ceremonies.
This extraordinary boulder in Mira Vista Park, at Zara Ave. & Mount St. in Richmond, can be found by entering from Mount St. and following the right side path straight ahead until coming to a small, bushy tree and peeking behind it to see the large boulder. The Native American-formed grooves will be easy to spot.
Bearing witness to Native American history, inherently our own collective history as the current inhabitants of this land, makes me feel fortunate to easily access this hidden natural wonder.
