By DENNIS WYATT

The 209 Living

Micke Grove — It is without a doubt the crown jewel of the San Joaquin County Park system.

It’s a place where you can see a snow leopard, catch a merry go-round ride, play disc golf, frolic in the water, take in the serenity of a Japanese garden, explore the history of the Big Valley, or just savor the shade of stately oaks on a summer day.

“It” is Micke Grove Park, a 132-acre family oasis midway between Lodi and Stockton west of Highway 99.

If you are expecting the San Francisco Zoo, the Golden Gate Park or the carousel on Pier 39, forget it. Micke Grove is true to its San Joaquin County roots. It’s low key and accentuates the valley. It isn’t a glamour place, but rather a gathering spot for friends and a respite from the daily routine for families.

The fact it isn’t something you’d find west of the Altamont Pass is its charm.

Its open expanse and soaring trees weren’t part of a design that manmade like Golden Gate Park where the landscape was imported to convert 1,017 acres of sand and shore dunes into what has become one of the nation’s most recognized and used urban parks. The basic landscape at Micke Grove is true valley.

There’s little doubt it got a lot of help. That’s especially true with the three acre Japanese garden. It was designed with the influence of three religions — Shintoism, Taoism, and Buddhism — through the use of stones, islands, and lanterns.

Its luscious landscape is encircled by 60 Kwanzan flowering cherry trees. In the central area of the garden you’ll find five Akibono flowering cherry trees.

There are bridges, a pavilion, and an impressive entrance gate as well as a koi pond.

The solitude and beauty of the garden is with the trip alone.

But if you have kids in tow they’re going to want to hit the zoo or Fun Town.

It may be a small zoo but it packs a lot into its five acres. It features native animals as well as species — more than a few of which are exotic — from around the globe. There are a number of endangered species that include the Black and White Ruffed Lemur as well as the Cotton Top Tamarin.

Keep in mind animals are most active I the morning and late afternoon especially in days when the temperature heats up.

The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. with the last admission at 4:30 p.m. Adults are $5, ages 3 to 13 are $3 and those under 2 are free.

Next door is Fun Town at Micke Grove featuring 10 kiddie carnival, rides such as a coaster, train, and tilt-a-whirl. Ticket rides can be bought individually on in a book. The small amusement park is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

My favorite Micke Grove Park destination is the San Joaquin County Historical Museum.

The museum’s 18 acres include four historic buildings including the 1866 Calaveras School that periodically hosts school children to experience what the classroom was like 151 years ago as well as he 1848 hoe of the man who funded Stockton — Charles Weber.

There are eight exhibit buildings showcasing much of the museums 50,000 items that are in the collection. The agricultural equipment collection — tractors of yesteryear and more modern implements — is impressive along with autos, horse drawn carriages and all the implements of 19th century transportation. The museum has taken care to create a varied exhibit experience ranging from Native American artifacts from the Miwok and Yokuts Indians, items from the Weber family such as furnishings, early settlers, and remnants of days gone by including textiles, clothing, firearms, communication forms, toys, sports equipment, blacksmithing, woodworking, household items, personal items, Chinese theatrical costumes, and more.

There is also a children’s activity area.

The grounds include the Delta Water Path as well as the living exhibit of native habitats along the Sunshine Trail. The museum features rotating special exhibits. The next one is “War Comes Home” from Sept. 9 to Nov. 5 that spans the Civil War to the current Global War on Terror. Through photos, private letters and correspondence it shares the experience of those who went off to fight, what it was like n the home front, and the adjustments to returning home.

The museum’s summer hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and holidays. Winter hours are an hour shorter with opening time at 11 a.m.

Admission is $5 for ages 18 to 64, $4 for those 65 and older as well as ages 13 to 17, $2 for children 6 t 12, and free for those 5 and under.

There is a child’s water play feature as well as a three acre lake with a 40-foot water fountain. Micke Grove Park also includes an 18-hole disc golf course, picnic tables, BBQ grills, horseshoe pits and softball fields.

Entrance fees to Micke Grove Park per vehicle are $5 weekdays, $6 weekends and holidays. and $10 for special holiday weekends such as Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth pf July, and Labor Day. Pets are $1 each and must be on a leash. Discounted multi-day passes are available. They do accept credit cards

There is an annual park pass available for $100 that allows parking at the county’s six regional parks including Micke Grove, Oak Grove, Mossdale Crossing, and Dos Reis. Those wishing annual passes that include a towed vehicle typically to enter the water on the San Joaquin River at Mossdale Crossing or Dos Reis are charged an extra $50 for the annual pass.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com