In 1906, the Meese family opened Ramona Park, a 10-acre group picnic site on their ranch beside the Southern Pacific Railroad line, creating the first park in the San Ramon Valley. West of the present Iron Horse Regional Trail near today's Greenbrook Drive in southern Danville, it stood near what was then San Ramon Village. A newspaper announced its opening as a park at the foot of Mt. Diablo in the San Ramon Valley, praised as one of the prettiest parks in the state. Visitors were invited to enjoy wild maple, buckeye, elder, other California trees, a picturesque little lake ideal for swimming, and a dancing pavilion built with great care. Temperance principles were enforced in the park and within two miles, promising women and children freedom from drunken behavior. After the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, the planned April 26 opening was postponed to July 4, with 25% of receipts given to the earthquake relief committee. On opening day, a special train left San Francisco at 8 a.m., stopped at stations along the old Southern Pacific line, now the Iron Horse Trail, and returned from the park at 5 p.m. The park brought income to the Meese family and introduced the San Ramon Valley to visitors from across the Bay Area.