A Walk in the Park: Oxbow Preserve

The , almost 13 acres of riverside habitat tucked across the river from the and the , is a hidden urban gem of a park and provides easy access to the mighty Napa River. The park is accessible from McKenzie Drive, off of the Silverado Trail just down from the new First Street Bridge. It's an easy walk from downtown and the Oxbow Public Market.

A handful of parking spots right next to a wide paved path that leads well into the park make this one of the most accessible nature spots in Napa. Unpaved trails lead through the wooded area to the spit that marks the northern part of the bend in the river called the Oxbow. The park is a very popular fishing spot now and a fantastic use of a tiny piece of land that was once a scrubby urban riverfront with no access. Since the eucalyptus and other non-native species were replaced with oak trees and other native flora over two years ago, the riparian area is returning to its natural habitat. This year's early rains have the park greening up fast. 

The circular main path passes an interpretive plaque that covers the history, geology and animal life that can be found along the river. A number of smaller unpaved trails run off the main path and terminate at the river's edge, with boulders as resting spots providing views across the river of the Oxbow Public Market and the now-empty Copia building. The day I visited was also a field day for a group of fourth -raders having class under a tree.

The Oxbow Preserve is open from dawn to dusk. Someday the Napa River Trail will join the park, and there are even plans for a footbridge from somewhere off McKinstry Street across the river to the park. For now, it's a great use of 13 acres of land that used to flood every couple of winters, and it's definitely worth taking a few minutes to visit.