Berkeley Parents Network: Parks and Playgrounds

Berkeley Parents Network

Parks and Playgrounds

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Places to Go > Parks and Playgrounds

Parks & Playgrounds for Kids

Other Kinds of Parks

Parks by Area

Parks without sand

March 2006

Does anyone know of any parks in the east bay that do not have sand? Preferably ones that are gated. Sometimes I would like to take the kids to the park and not have the car wrecked by the end of the day! Have a beach in the back seat

most of Alameda's parks only have sand in dedicated sand box areas. I don't think Franklin Park has a sandbox though, but I may be wrong). Most are also fully fenced. I know Little John Park is on Sherman and Buena Vista. Lincoln Park on High Street might also not have sand but I don't think it is completely enclosed.

As far as I can recall, Aquatic Park does not have sand.

There is a nice playground and park in El Cerrito that has no sand. There is wood chips under the play structure. It is Castro Park located on the corner of Norvell and Gladys. > > From San Pablo Avenue go east on Potrero Avenue, go past the light at Richmond Street and turn right on Norvell, then go one block to Gladys. anon

Try Joaquin Miller playground on Joaquin Miller just up the hill from 13. If you explore a little, you can also find parks farther south-San Leandro, I think, Hayward, Fremont, if you want to spend a little more time.

Parks with toddler areas

October 2003

I am looking for recommendations for parks with good toddler areas. We are a group of 3-5 parents with toddlers between 14 and 20 months, all fairly mobile. Our intent is to check out various neighborhood parks, to vary our activities, and also to find parks near places where we run errands so as not to tax the little people's patience! I have checked the archives and we have been to Totland, Willard, Aquatic, Live Oak and Grove parks in Berkeley plus Little Farm at Tilden and 1 of the 2 FROG parks in Rockridge and liked all of them. The Berkeley Parks and Rec Department website is particularly good, but Oakland's website only lists addresses, not amenities or equipment. We like visiting both ''destination'' parks and simple neighborood parks with playground equipment for toddlers. Can you all give us the rundown on the parks in your neighborhoods or other ones you've been to? Lisa

Add Terrace Park in Albany to your list! It's on Terrace St. right off of Nielsen St. Two play areas (one fenced in), trees, a grassy field, bathrooms, picnic benches. Enjoy! CG

The City of Albany has a toddler park (Dartmouth Toddler Park) located on the corner of Dartmouth and Talbot. Chelle

March 2004

I am tring to find a decent playground that has a nice tot area and good shade coverage from noon-3pm -- both on the play structures and a grassy area. I love Jordan park but it lacks the shade; Dimond park has the shade but lacks a decent playground for tots. Thanks for your recommendations! Amy

Lincoln Park in Alameda has a splendid playground located among an abundant group of large oak trees. The main playground is bathed in shade all day long. The adjacent tot playground is a little less shady, but I found the main play structures are actually somewhat better for toddlers. The tot structure involves a hard-to-follow-the-baby-through tunnel which opens to a slide and a drop. Stick to the main playground and I assure you will experience a sun-free day in the park. There are also shaded grassy areas. MEG

Try the new park on Joachim Miller, between skyline and mountain on the north side. We were there at 4 the other day and it was lovely and shadey. It is ringed w/trees and has structures that my provide some shade themselves. no sand pit. park lover

Parks in San Leandro

August 2005

We just recently moved and need to find a good park. i'm looking for shade and off busy streets. i have a toddler so not to advanced. my location is east oakland/mac arthur on the san leandro border. does anyone know of such a park? i would love a park down a unknown street etc. my old neighborhood had one and i loved it. (maxwell park) thank you. Michelle

Our two favorite parks in San Leandro are McCartney Park on Breed and Sunnyside (behind Washington Elementary) and Halcyon Park on 147th Ave. and Western. They meet your requirement of off busy streets and they have great new equipment especially for smaller children. Shade, however, is sometimes hard to come by. It is more around the edges than over the playgrounds themselves. Ellen

These all might be farther than you are looking for but...Try Jordan Park (it's actually called Avenue Terrace Park). You take the Redwood Road Exit, off of Hwy 13, get onto Redwood, go west, and then take a right on Jordan (hence the name) and you'll see it on your right. Shady, lots of toddler structures, lots of toys (people leave them there), sand, and lots of space to just run. The Castro Valley park has also been remodeled and now has water structures (take the Fairmont exit off 580, go east, you'll see Lake Chabot on your left (which is a good place for a walk - but no real play structures there) and then after 1/2 mile, you will take a left on Quail (where the CV Community Ctr is) and then you will see the park. They also have good play structures and sand. Not so much shade. Finally, if you are looking for a fun indoor place - try Play Cafe at 4400 Keller in Oakland. Lots of fun stuff to do there! It just opened and is free until 9/1 and then there will be an entrance fee (which will be well worth it!) Mimi

Parks in San Rafael

March 2006

Does anyone know of a good park for toddlers in San Rafael? A good friend of mine lives in Santa Rosa and I live near Hayward and so San Rafael is right in the middle. We each have 16 month old boys whom we would like to get together. Thanks! Brenda

I have a good friend in Marin and go to playgrounds frequently in that area. There is a good playground right by the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael...there is also a nearby lagoon for duck feeding and a Thursday farmers market there. In Fairfax there is Andy Peri Park just past downtown on Bolinas Ave. It has a pretty extensive array of play structures and is a short walk from downtown if you also want coffee/ice cream lunch. Marin park goer

San Rafael has great parks. The most popular is right near my house and it's called Gerstle Park. It's right near downtown off D or E streets; you could mapquest it if you don't know the area at all. If you're willing to drive further, there's also a great park in San Anselmo right off Sir Francis Drake; I think it's called Memorial park though that might not be it. We call it the dinosaur park as it has a dinosaur to climb on. Good luck! Melanie

Gerstle Park is OK. There are some nice play structures and lots of grass for picnicking. I can't tell you offhand the street it's on, but it is a few blocks off of D Street near downtown. Also, if you're willing to drive in a little farther from 101, Memorial Park in San Anselmo is great! Again, I couldn't tell you the street name. Sorry ;o(

Peacock Gap park is a wonderful park recommended to me by a friend (thanks again, Jen!). My 2-year-old son loves it because it has a real backhoe toy. More details and a map here: http://www.justplaygrounds.com/play/sanrafael/peacockGap/index.h tm I think it's a great park. Have fun. Sarah

Parks where Spanigh-speaking nannies meet

Aug 2001

I am looking for a park or play group that my very sweet spanish-only speaking care giver can take our 8 month old daughter to during the day. I think it would be good for both of them to get out and socialize. What parks to caregivers congregate at in the North Oakland, Berkeley area? Does anyone know of a M-F (8am-3pm) playgroup that she would feel welcome to join? Thanks. Nancy

My Spanish Speaking Caregiver goes to Willard Park in Berkeley on Hillegass between Derby and Stuart. She's there several days a week, usually in the early afternoon. I don't know that there are a lot of other Spanish speaking sitters there, but she's often there. Donna

The woman who takes care of my daughter and many of her fiends who are also care providers, are all Spanish speaking and congregate at Bateman park on Prince St. behind Alta Bates. They don't have any formal kind of play group but are all very welcoming. Liz

there seems to be a lot of spanish speaking nannies at Bateman Park right near Alta Bates hspital on Prince Street. Shoshana

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