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&1512014 <br />Introduction <br />BayTrail, San Leandro: San Lorenzo Creekto Marina Park i Y-�( (.VI r " (�'t <br />San Leandro: San Lorenzo Creek to Marina Park <br />The area along the Bay north of the mouth of San Lorenzo Creek in San Leandro was once known as Roberts Landing. <br />This was the site of Alameda County's first shipping venture. Captain William Roberts established the port in 1851 to <br />take locally -grown hay, fruits, and vegetables across the Bay to San Francisco. Warehouses and docks were built here <br />along the slough. Flat-bottomed two -masted scow scooners sailed in and out of the slough at high tide. Roberts Landing <br />lasted until the 1870's. It was put out of business, like many other transportation ventures on the Bay, by the <br />transcontinental railroad. <br />In 1900, this area became the site of the Trojan Powder Works, which operated here until 1963. It produced ammunition <br />during World War I and made explosives which were used in the construction of the Panama Canal. Marshes were diked <br />and filled for the powder factory. In later years, the rich, fertile marsh soil here was used for farming. Dikes were built to <br />create dry land for farming. This caused the remaining marsh lands to sink, which increased their salinity and reduced <br />their productivity. These developments altered and destroyed the original marsh environment. <br />Currently, new housing developments are being built here. However, the developers have cooperated with the city of San <br />Leandro to restore 406 acres of the historic marshland between the new housing and the Bay. Fill was removed, and <br />dikes were lowered and removed. Channels were built to provide tidal flow to the farthest reaches of the marsh. This has <br />improved conditions for marsh vegetation and wildlife, including the endangered clapper rail and salt marsh harvest <br />mouse. New paved trails, with interpretive kiosks and benches have been built here to provide access to San Lorenzo <br />Creek, the marsh, sloughs, and the Bay. <br />The Bay Trail in San Leandro from San Lorenzo Creek to Marina Park runs through the restored marsh next to the new <br />subdivision, follows right along the edge of the Bay, crosses a flood control channel, and ends up at Marina Park. It <br />passes by pickleweed marshes, sloughs, mudflats, and sandy and rocky beaches. The trail is paved and wide for its <br />entire length. It is very popular with joggers, skaters, bicyclists, and families out for a stroll. Near the Bay, a wide dirt <br />trail runs next to the paved trail. Near Marina Park, the trail runs between the Bay and a golf course. A unmarked <br />network of dirt and gravel trails provides access to different parts of the marsh and the Bayshore. The dirt trails are only <br />accessible to walkers and bicyclists, so are less crowded. <br />All the wetland areas along the trail are connected to the Bay, so they are under tidal influence. Their appearance and <br />conditions are greatly affected by the tides. At high tides, the sloughs and marshes fill with water, while the Bay laps <br />http:] www.abaj.ca.goVbayareataa*ail/%tourtniap4/access/BtsnidrdBtsnldro.htm 115 <br />