Many exhibits showcasing the history of Lodi can be seen at the Micke Grove San Joaquin County Historical Museum. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Micke Grove Park is loaded with activities

Micke Grove Park, located between Lodi and Stockton, is San Joaquin County's landmark park, drawing more than one million visitors in 2007. It has a zoo, children's carnival area, historical museum, Japanese garden, group picnic areas and a golf course.

New to Micke Grove in 2008 is the 3-acre Sydney C. Wortley Lake, a man-made lake that is part of a $5 million park expansion in the northwest corner of the park off Armstrong Road. The expansion is due for completion in May 2008.

The new area also includes paddle boats, a pedestrian bridge across the lake, a large fountain spraying water into the air, a children's tot lot and a picnic shelter to accommodate 100.

The 258-acre park is named after William G. Micke, who died in 1961, and his wife, Julia, who settled on land that is now the park in 1920. The area was dedicated for park development in 1938.

The zoo opened in 1957, and the museum began operation in 1971.

Micke Grove has a small zoo, but it includes unusual animals like the radiated tortoise, Chinese alligator, golden lion tamarin and the pudu, the smallest member of deer family.

Then there's Fun Town, which has all kinds of carnival rides. It can be rented out for birthday parties as well.

The county museum, covering 40,000 square feet, includes more than 50,000 artifacts that tell the colorful story of San Joaquin County. The museum includes the old Calaveras schoolhouse and a living history event called Springtime on the Farm. The historic Julia Weber Home was moved to Micke Grove Park in 2001, and four buildings hosting old agricultural equipment were recently built.

The park also hosts a Festival of Trees in December, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa's workshop, cookie decorating and craft demonstrations.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.