Directions to the Albany Bulb
What To Google
Type The Watershed Project, Albany and you will be directed to the path we will use to our painting spot
Directions To The Albany Bulb Parking Lot
On highway 80 take the Buchanan St exit and turn west towards the waterfront. Stay on the right as you reach the very end of the street. Turn on the roundabout and begin looking for a parking spot. This parking lot gets a lot of visitors and you will most likely have to wait for a spot or park along the sidewalk just before the parking lot starts. Park on the western end of this long street because it is closer to our painting spot. The parking lot has two hr spots that are strictly enforced.
Weekday Directions To the Albany Bulb Parking Lot
On highway 80 take the Gilman St exit and turn west towards the waterfront. Make a right when you reach the end of Gilman. To your right you’ll see the Golden Gate Racetrack property. Go up the hill but stay on the left lane that circumvents the GGR entrance kiosk. There should be no attendant on a Friday. They restrict access on days when they have events. Continue on this left lane with the top of the hill parking lot to your right and go down the hill. You will see the 2 hr parking lot. Try to turn left and park on the western end of the lot, which is closer to our painting spot. Be advised this route is impossible on weekends, when the racetrack closes access to the area behind their building.
Description
Albany Bulb is a landfill frequented by dog owners and families looking for a quiet area in which to enjoy the art, sun and ocean breezes. The “bulb” part of the park is less visited despite its beautiful art, but the beach (Fleming Point) is very popular. The eastern end is windy but the park’s bathrooms are closer. The western end is quieter and has more views unobstructed by overgrown vegetation. The hill where the racetrack is located is interesting, as well as the beach itself, and the Bulb’s Western shore overlooking the Bridgewater and Bayside Commons condos on Albany Hill. From the flat, elevated western end (at low tide) it is possible to admire beautiful mudflat patterns framed by the structural continuity of highway 80 and Albany Hill. This park offers a chance for introspection whether you examine its sandstone and shale rocks, its driftwood, eucalyptus groves, its wind and kite surfers, or the blocky racetrack building.
History
Albany Bulb sits on a slough into which three creeks drain: Schoolhouse Creek, Codornices Creek and Marin Creek. The landfill that was born in 1939 ceased to grow in the 1970s due to the efforts of environmentalists. It was built with garbage and rubble from the dynamited El Cerrito del Sur, the hill where Golden Gate Fields is located today. The bulb part was built in 1963 with cement and rebar from demolitions around the east bay. In 2002 the Bulb became part of the East Shore State Park and the City of Albany was no longer able to entertain development proposals. More recently the Bulb became home to a large homeless community that is periodically evicted. The Bulb also had a library made with boat wood, still features and many public art pieces (murals, sculptures, mosaic and graffiti) created by local artists.
The area near the racetrack has an even more interesting story.
