Coronado is fortunate to have many parks throughout our town, which add to the livability and charm of our community. This was not an accident, as the founders of the town, Elisha S. Babcock and Hampton L. Story, wanted plenty of open space for future residents to enjoy.

The park that graces the center of our town, Spreckels Park, straddles the east and west side of the 600 block of Orange Avenue, and was once referred to as East and West Plaza.

After city father John D. Spreckels passed away in 1926, the park was named in his honor.

Spreckels Park is home to many activities year round, including Art-inthe- Park, Concerts-in-the Park, as well as playgrounds, picnic tables, the Coronado Public Library and Coronado Senior Center.

The one park feature that makes all these other activities and venues even more appealing that people often overlook are the trees.

The rich and varied tapestry of trees makes Spreckels Park an oasis in a world of urbanization. We enjoy the dappled sunlight, cooling breezes on a hot day, and the respite offered under the canopy of mature trees.

In the East Plaza alone, more than 100 trees hail from almost every continent. The trees include a variety of palms, pines and eucalyptus among many non-native trees. In fact, only three trees are native to California and only one of those is native to San Diego. Throughout the year we can experience flowering trees, fall colors, interesting bark, seed pods, the loamy smell of nature, the sound of wind through the trees — truly something for all ages.

Here are just a few standouts in the Spreckels Park “urban forest.”

The Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana) is the third rarest pine tree in the world. It happens that we have a few in this park and one or two in other parks. These stately trees are some of the tallest and oldest trees in Coronado. They are the preferred habitat tree for the Great Blue Heron, which is evidenced by a rather large nest in the top canopy of two of the park trees (one by the library and one near the corner of Orange and Seventh.) The Torrey Pine is native to the San Diego coast and Santa Rosa Island.

The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is scattered throughout the park. These are the thickest trunked palms in the park, with a robust canopy of fronds. The palms were brought to this country from the Canary Island by the padres who developed the missions throughout Baja and Southern California. The oldest specimens can be found in the older, established neighborhoods of San Diego. Once a popular landscape feature at the turn of the 20th century, it is no longer a desirable residential planting as it is too large for most urban yards.

The Australian Flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) is a real standout during the summer months. This transplant from “down under” will lose it leaves just before the summer, then burst to an entire tree of little reddish-orange flowers, resembling a towering flame. Once the flowering has finished, it will bring forth a new set of leaves, which are bright waxy green, and deeply lobed.

The Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is another truly spectacular tree. This tropical tree native to Brazil loses its fine fernlike foliage in late spring, to be followed by the flowering stage, which produces a massive oval head of beautiful, tube shaped, light lavender flowers. It can’t be missed when in bloom. The flower stage lasts about two months, approximately May and June. Even the flowers on the ground are a site to behold, resembling a dusting of lavender snow.

The Sugar Gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) is the common name of the most prevalent type of eucalyptus tree in Spreckels Park. There are many species of eucalyptus in Southern California, which were first imported to the state in 1856 and is now the state’s most widely planted nonnative tree. In Australia there are at least 500 different species. This fast growing tree can be found in sizes from small shrub forms to towering trees of over 100 feet. The sugar gum has a distinct upright trunk and open branching with clusters of leaves on branch ends; the effect is very open and graceful. Most “eucs” are known for their peeling bark. The bark is tan, but peels to show the new cream colored bark beneath, which also turns tan with age.

If it’s fall color you are yearning for, the American Sweet Gum (Liquid amber styracaflua) is sure to please. This tree has something for all seasons. The dark green foliage during spring and summer provides ample shade, then gives way to a display of purple, yellow and red autumn leaves. As the tree loses its leaves, winter exposes the bare branching structure and the spiny balls that ornament the tree. This is a tree that you can mark the seasons by, as the coming of spring will see the emergence of new bright green leaves.

Spreckels Park and all the parks in Coronado are immaculately maintained by our public services department and we owe a great deal of gratitude for the loving care they give our parks; a level of care I don’t think you will find in many other communities. I often say the grounds are as manicured as putting greens. Public services keep the parks clean, mowed, and even vacuumed of leaves and any harmful objects, such as glass, that might find their way into the park.

These trees are here for all of us to enjoy. Someday soon, I hope you’ll pack a picnic lunch, take along a lovely blanket or quilt and a good book. Then plan to spend a lovely afternoon, lying in the shade of your favorite tree.

Shannon Player is president of the Crown Garden Club and a former longtime member of the Coronado Street Tree Committee. She leads Tree Tours of Spreckels Park for individuals and groups. To schedule a tour, call Shannon at (619) 435-1764.