Parks in Oakland & Piedmont
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Places to Go >
Parks in Oakland & Piedmont
June 2006
I'd really
love to hear recommendations for good, safe, clean playgrounds.
We've pretty much exhausted the ones in our neighborhood - both
public parks and schools with open yards - and would love to hear
favorites of others.
Thanks!
Mom of Two
Are there any hidden parks that are great for toddlers in Oakland? Kind
of like Tot-land in Berkeley? We are on a mission this summer to find the
perfect park. we've been to a lot already. But still haven't found the park
for us. Mybe you know of a hidden neighborhood park? Not too
crowded? Not to vacant. Jordaon Park of 35th avenue is no good for my
girl, she doesn't like it there. I think it's too crowded for her. She's shy.
We like the one off Joaquin Blvd. Too, but sometimes she doesn't get to
swing. also there not much atmosphere. i.e. toys. Still looking. Thanks
for your ideas.
anon
We like:
- Frog Park (off of Claremont).
- ''Little'' Frog Park (also off of Claremont, ''behind'' Bananas).
- Colby Park at 61st street.
- Lake Merrit park (near the ''birds'' area).
Except for Colby Park, where there are communal toys, and a few
sand toys at Frog park, you'd need to bring your own toys to the
other parks.
We've enjoyed the new-ish park at Union Point on the Oakland
Waterfront, on the way to Alameda. People leave toys a-la
totland and it is a nice playground with a pirate ship, kite
flying and clean restrooms and sinks; a nice pic-nic area and
cool spiral walking thingy...
Union Point Park. 2311 Embarcadero Oakland, CA 94606
Laura
One place that we just discovered is the Union Point Park, in
Oakland. It's right by Embarcadero off of 16th street exit on
880. It's so nice! it's very new, has a HUGE lawn, picnic
areas and a great play area with a nautical theme. It's by the
water, so you need to watch carefully, but it's perfect for a
toddler
mommy in oakland too
There's a new park in Oakland along the waterfront - Union Point Park (close to the
Park Street Bridge to Alameda) 2311 Embarcadero is the address. It's got a great view
of the estuary and sailboats, a nice play structure in the shape of a sailboat and some
ride-on toys brought by neighbors. It does get hot there as there isn't enough shade
yet except for the picnic tables adjacent to the play structure. I recommend checking it
out.
fan of new park
June 2005
Hello there. I am looking to expand my short list of great
places to walk or hike especially around nature in and around
Oakland. Do you have a favorite place close by that gives you
the feeling that you've ''gotten away''? A place you can go to
before or after working that's rejuvenating for mind and body?
Please share these with me.
Thank you so much.
Tova
Well, these may be places on your short list already, but here's mine (btw: since
I'm a dog owner, most of these are places where you can take dogs, so there
would be dogs at these places, just to warn you). These are in no particular
order of preference:
Redwood Regional Park
Leona Canyon
Joaquin Miller (dogs on leash only here)
Sausal Creek (but you have to know the trail to take, it's not the main one)
Person of two doggies
You probably already know about the incredible East Bay
Regional Park system that goes through Oakland. But, you may
not have truly explored it. There are several incredible
trails that make you feel very far away indeed. I can only
recommend that you explore on your own. Go down trails that
are embedded in the forest or down a hill, so you're hiking
underground. Some of my favorites are Big Trees, Tres
Ensanadas, Sequoia Bay View, but there are many more. Many of
these also have places to stop for a bite (tables and benches
set among redwood groves) - very ideal. Have a great time
exploring.
Hiker in Oakland
May 2005
I recall hearing about a park for toddlers that was designed by
the people who did Hardy Park (Frog Park) in Oakland. I think
the toddler park was located off of Telegraph Ave. in Oakland.
If anyone could give me any info about this park or other parks
that are good for toddlers in Oakland, I'd be very
appreciative. I checked the archives but couldn't find
anything. Thanks in advance.
Toddler mom
Toddler parks
1. Jordan Park
from MacArthur go up 35th ave
Left on Jordan (it's easy to miss this side street if you've
gone to the highway you've gone too far)
Park on your right
2. Willard Park
Make the Right where Andronicos is on Telegraph Ave
Park's on your right
3. Totland
Mcgee in Berkeley (sorry, i can't remember the side street)
4. Dimond Park
From MacArthur take Fruitvale towards the hills
Pass the Safeway and start looking for a wide, cement staircase
on your left.
that's the park. take the walking path past the pool for the
toddler park
jw
There are two excellent new parks close to where I live that
are wonderful. One is a small park by the Cascade on Joaquin
Miller Road. It has a play structure, cushy surfacing and
right now the fireproofing goat herd is right next door
munching away. Fun for a toddler to see. The other is a new
structure in Robert's park on Skyline (near Chabot Space and
Science Center), beside the public pool (pay parking in lot).
It's the largest outdoor play structure I've seen in a city
park and has a huge grassy area beside it. Have fun!
JPC
Frog Park off Claremont Ave (the smaller one near the DMV an
the larger one near the dog run under highway 24).
Colby Park on 61st Street a little above Telegraph Ave (a
smallish park).
Willard Park (in Berkeley) behind Willard Jr High on Telegraph
Ave.
Bateman Park (in Berkeley) at the corner of Colby & Prince by
Alta Bates emergency entrance (another smallish park)
Montclair Park on Moraga Ave, has a little Western Village
theme.
May 2005
Hi - any suggestion out there for places to take an 8 month old
learning to crawl - places specifically in East Oakland (near
Mills college)? She loves other kids and toys and it would be
nice to know of places close by our house to take her.
thanks so much
Catherine
It's on the other side of 580, but we love the park on Jordan just off of 35th (left on
Jordan off of 35th (coming up from McArthur). the park is about a block down. It's big
with a section for little kids with a sandy area, one for bigger kids, basketball nets,
grassy knoll. And, people have donated all kinds of little tykes stuff. It's quite busy
whenever we're there but I our son loved it before he could walk and is now holding his
own with the other kids now that he's a toddler. I will say, because there are so many
kids, a baby will sometimes get knocked around, but as long as you watch your baby
closely, it should be allright.
anon
We hope to share with future mothers' groups our five years of
experience planning fun excursions, or just good places to meet.
We list a lot of fun places to go with babies and toddlers on
our website, MondayMamas.com We have un-password protected those
parts of the site we feel may be helpful to those outside our
group. Enjoy!
Carolyn
Try the park in Oakland right off 35th Ave on Jordan Rd. It is
toddler friendly with an area for smaller kids and one for bigger
kids, all surrounded by sand. It is 100% enclosed by gates and
everyone in the community leaves older toys, plastic trucks, etc.
so there is a lot to do. There are swings, slides, tunnels to
crawl around. There is a big grassy area as well to picnic or let
your toddler crawl around. It is one of our favorite parks.
Wendy
June 2003
I am a stay at home Mom with a 2 year old girl whojust moved here from La Jolla and we are having a hard time connecting with other stay
at home parents. In La Jolla, we met a lot of great parents in the
parks and beaches around our house. We're not finding it so easy here,
since it seems the parks we have been frequenting (Montclair and Piedmont) are mostly kids and nanny groups. Does anyone have any
insight into the great parks that are mostly moms and kids. I love
the nannys and they are always very friendly, but I feel a little
on the outside.
Thanks.
Mona
Try the FROG parks in Temescal/Rockridge. There is a smaller
park at Redondo and Clark Sts, near the intersection of Telegraph
and 51st, which is specifically for kids younger than 5, and
further north is Hardy Park. More information on location is here:
http://www.frogpark.org/location.html
I've found a higher ratio of parents to nannies at these parks.
Also, if you go up to Berkeley, Willard Park in Southside, San
Pablo Park in So. Berkeley, and Codornices Park in No. Berkeley
are all great.
Robin
Try Jordan Park (real name Avenue Terrace) on Jordan Ave off of
Redwood Road - take 13 to Redwood Exit - go down the hill to
Jordan and take a right. Park is on the right.
Or Willard Park in Berkeley - sorry don't know the street, but if
you're on Telegraph, you turn right just before Andronico's
market. The park is on the right just past the tennis courts.
Or, may I recommend a toddler program, like Kindergym, Music
Together, or Kids in Motion? Lots of Moms and Tots at these
events.
Welcome to the Bay Area and good luck meeting people. If you're
interested in joining a very active Mom's Group - post again and
include your email address - I'll contact you then.
Alison
Try the small park near Rockridge Bart. It has a nice wooden play-structures, a good sand box, and, I believe a good 'mom' ratio. I don't have the exact address, but it is right next to the dog park, under the 24 Freeway overpass, just south of Claremont Avenue. Also Tot-Land in Berkeley, on California and Virginia, is fabulous.
Anna
Have you tried Frog Park in Rockridge? The larger playground is located near the intersection of Hudson and Claremont, also accessible from Miles and Hardy. It's a great park for kids, and while many nannies and kids go there, I have been among many other moms and dads - particularly on weekday afternoons (after 3) and weekends.
Good luck
Jennifer
I've met other toddler parents at Frog Park (Hardy and miles,
near 24 over pass) and Avenue Terrace Park (Jordan St. near
redwood road, just west of 13). To begin your best bet is going
to be late afternoons and weekends. During the day it does tend
to be a lot of nannies. Also check out mom/toddler programs. I
find that on the days I am home w/ my daughter I want guaranteed
socializing. I've enjoyed and signed up for kindergym (off for
the summer unfortunately) kindermusik (classes start next week),
and swim classes (mills pool has them through early August) and
made connections that way.
Good Luck!
extroverted toddler mom
Re: Picnic site for 1st birthday party (August 2003)
Hello -- Dimond Park is located between the Glen Park and Dimond
neighborhoods of Oakland. There is a nice playground and a
couple of areas with tables and benches for picnics. There are
also public bathrooms, a swimming pool and a small community
center. The Sausal Creek trailhead is just across the street
from the park too. Happy Birthday to your son!
Cindy
Montclair Park
Re: Afternoon activities for Toddler (Oct. 2002)
Hi, I understand that the Montclair Community Center has
afternoon toddler classes available. I think the ''semester'' has
already begun, but give them a call. I have heard that they have
good programs though I don't know first hand.
My 21 m.o. son and I often go to parks in the late afternoons -
in Montclair, Rockridge and the Laurel District of Oakland. They
are great places to meet other moms looking for things to do in
the afternoons as well.
Enjoy, A Toddler's Mama
Montclair park up on the Oakland Hills, Montclair area has a duck pond, two large climbing structures, and lots of grass to frolic on.
Susan (Oct 2001)
May 1998
The tot lot on Linda Ave in Piedmont is enclosed and a lot of fun. Linda
runs between Piedmont Ave and Grand Ave. the tot lot is between the
elementary school and the tennis cts. the playground is NOT shaded and it
can get quite hot there.
Deborah
this page was last updated: Sep 23, 2012
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network