Mace Ranch Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mace Ranch Park is a 22-acre park located in Davis, California.


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Summary

There are many good reasons to visit this park, such as its beautiful natural scenery, various recreation opportunities, and significant historical and cultural landmarks. Among the points of interest in the park are the Mace Ranch House, the Community Gardens, the Playground, and the Bike Trail. The Mace Ranch House is a historic building that was built in 1865 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Community Gardens feature 34 plots used by community members to grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The Playground is a popular spot for kids to play, with swings, slides, and climbing equipment. The Bike Trail is a paved trail that runs through the park and connects to other bike trails in the area.

Interesting facts about the park include that it is named after the Mace family, who were early settlers in the area. The park was once a working farm and was donated to the City of Davis by the Mace family in 1972. The park is also home to a significant number of plant and animal species, including oak trees, grasslands, and bird species like the Western Bluebird and the Northern Flicker.

The best time of year to visit Mace Ranch Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. In the spring, visitors can enjoy the blooming wildflowers, while in the fall, the changing leaves create a beautiful display of colors. Overall, Mace Ranch Park is a great destination for those seeking a peaceful and beautiful natural setting to enjoy various outdoor activities.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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