At the heart of the North Richmond Farm, a new brick pathway is taking shape, one that tells a story beneath every step. Designed by Bay Tree Design, the pathway’s pattern draws directly from traditional Ohlone basketry native to the Richmond area, honoring the land’s first stewards and weaving cultural memory into the very foundation of the farm.
Stretching from the entrance on Fred Jackson Way to the edge of San Pablo Creek, this main pathway forms the spine of what will become the North Richmond Farm History Walk. Along its length, four distinct streams of colored brick flow together, symbolizing four core narratives that shape this land: the region’s agricultural legacy, the migration and contributions of ethnic communities, movements for environmental and social justice, and the vital role of women throughout all of it.
These stories were chosen in consultation with historians, local elders, and descendants of the local Ohlone people, and reflect a commitment to deep, place-based education. The Farm’s designers and architects were asked to prioritize visual elements that celebrate and reflect Ohlone culture throughout the site. Inside the future Main Barn, for example, the community room will feature walls woven with thin wood slats, another way we will try to honor the intricate beauty of Ohlone traditional arts.
Beyond its symbolic significance, the brickwork serves practical purposes too. It offers a durable, ADA accessible surface, ensuring that everyone in our community can walk, roll, and learn along this path and safely and comfortably access the farm.
For us, choosing this design is a quiet kind of resilience, one that holds memory and water at the same time.
With every step, the brick design invites visitors to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. It is a tribute, a teaching tool, and a pathway forward all in one.
