This is a critical review because there is nowhere else to criticize the programs I have issues…read morewith. Alameda Rec blanket covers these bad programs and allows the to continue despite obvious shortcomings. My daughter took a variety of summer camps in 2023. We went through the catalogue in the spring and had no issues picking any of our selections. She enjoyed, Hanabi Judo: Pokemon Camp, Young Rembrandts: Colorful Critters Workshop & Children's Aikido. The issues were with: CRTW: Oodles of Noodles, Play-Well: Minecraft Engineering w/ LEGO & Play-Well: STEM + Animal Architects w/ LEGO. Oodles of Noodles was the main offender with an additional $150 for materials that were is definitely overpriced. My daughter chopped vegis for two days of five and not much more than that. She did not learn a single sauce recipe or even tired various sauces to learn what's out there. The teachers were often on their phones bragging about the door dash being delivered to eat in front of the kids but not share. The Lego classes were generally a disappointment, with minor projects loosely tiesdto a theme but most of the time was just freeplay. My daughter was excited for weeks looking forward to the minecraft camp, but left deflated. I honestly felt like I let her down because there wasn't an opportunity to switch another camp, just money paid for "glorified" childcare. We will never sign up for these class again, will advise all within my social circle the same and will do thorough research before selecting future classes within Alameda Rec. I do think there are worthy camps to select.

There has got to be some serious Happy Juice infused in the water that the ARPD staff drinks…read more Seriously, I don't think I've ever used any city's parks, camps, after-school daycare, teen center and field trip operation with such a collectively friendly, helpful, and patient staff. Personally, as the victim of constant 'Mom Poisoning," which typical symptoms often include: random forgetfulness, sleep deprivation, looking constantly dazed and confused, referring to one of your children in a conversation when you were really meaning to refer to another one, talking to the imaginary little plump fairies flying around you a lot of the time while in mid-conversation with a real human being, and sailing away merrily alone in your car after forgetting to make sure that your child actually managed to make his/her way physically into the car with you when you came to pick him/her up. Despite all of my Mom Poisoning symptoms, the ARPD staff has always treated me with the utmost cheerful understanding and respect. Let's look at a few examples of my interactions with them, and compare the responses to what Your Average (anyplace) City Schmuck Park Employee (YACSPE) *could* say to me, the Mom-Poisoned ("MP"). Me (MP) to the ARPD WOW camp staff after taking 6 year old wild child to the completely wrong park thinking it was a the week of a certain soccer camp that actually wasn't happening for another two weeks. MP: I can't believe I got this soccer camp week wrong by two weeks. ARPD staff: No problem, Ms. S. Turns out his regular camp park group is coming over in about 45 minutes for a camp-wide special event at our park so they can just give him a ride back to the correct park and camp after that. MP: I feel like such a ditz ARPD: Don't worry Ms. S., it happens all the time. What a "Your Average Daily City Schmuck Park Employee" (YACSPE) would at least think: What the hell kind of mother are you? That camp isn't for two more weeks! Don't you ever look at a calendar and write these things down? Nutso parent! Get a clue! MP: To the ARPD counselors at the Teen Center after my then twelve-year-old son questioned the existence of God a bit too bluntly to some both very sensitive and even more "very* Christian home-schooled tweens there: MP: I'm really sorry that he offended those kids. Anything that seems "Fundamentalist' to him when discussing religion gets him as riled up as a particular very openly opinionated, sarcastic, swearing, liberal uncle who means well and advocates free speech....and I've reminded him time and again that it's okay to ask questions, but try not to offend people when you do, even if you don't agree with them one bit. ARPD: That's okay. We discussed that he needed to think through what he is going to say in advance since it really did hurt those kids' feelings. However, there wasn't any real harm done. YACSPE might say: Why isn't your son on some serious meds to keep him sedated? Now we could face a major lawsuit against the local churches those students attend! MP to the ARPD RAP (after-school care) staff after wild child decided to get in a tussle with an older kid over wall ball and taking turns that turned into a huge brawl. MP: I'm so sorry he got so worked up. He didn't get enough sleep last night and has been in an atypical bad mood most of the day. He knows he should be using words, not hitting. *migraine ensues* ARPD: Well, we took each of the boys aside and explained how hitting isn't allowed and then eventually had the two of them talk it out. They seem to be good friends now. YACSPE: Christ, I bet you or your Old Man beat the crap out of that kid at home or something for him to get into a fight like that. We're calling CPS! ARPD's staff is even kind enough to call around the night before your kid goes on a field trip and remind you what time to be there the next morning since the tour bus will depart at a set-in-stone time. You know how certain, *ahem*, Night Owls definitely need these reminders so we can set at least two alarm clocks with the loudest one being placed at least 10 feet away from the bed in order to even get out of bed early. Even the person I typically deal with on the phone for scheduling changes and payments is always cheerful and courteous. They now have an online scheduling/payment system too. How convenient is that? There is something in that Happy juice going on, and I'm telling you it's a wonderful thing. Thank you, ARPD staff for your graciousness and your programs. You make a single, working, full-time parent of three kids' schedules so much easier to plan when they all too typically border on the impossible to coordinate.

Shoreline park is a beautiful walking path and a green belt on Harbor Bay Isle. It's about 6 miles…read morelong and runs into the Harbor Bay ferry. There is a gravel path and cement path for cyclists. On any giving day you can find people walking their dogs, relaxing and watching the beautiful bay and enjoying sunsets. There are several benches throughout the path and they also have restrooms and plenty of trash receptacles. In some sections, they even have picnic tables and barbecue pits. One area also has an outlook and sandbox for children to play in. While out enjoying the path, you can guarantee you will find some beautiful wildlife, and a lot of pictures are taken by photographers and people just blown away by the beautiful view of San Francisco. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a clean, beautiful and romantic path.

The views over here are Phenomenal!! Definitely recommend to catch a breather or two nothing like…read moreit the environment is excellent the atmosphere is amazing

It's crowded and patrons are rude. On the regular you have to deal with the following:…read more-towels stolen when left on lounge chairs -belongings thrown off lounge chair and chair taken over while you're in the water -grown adults will get in the lane, won't notify you, begin swimming, crashing head on into you (a bit traumatizing and dangerous) -circle swim w/ 3 people: certain types of people are impatient and angry for whatever reason, demanding you hurry up and push off the wall, are too slow, or try other tactics to bully you out the lane. (I continue swimming at my own pace, refuse to leave the lane) -communal shower, low water pressure. -swimsuit spinner always out of order -the director who sends out weekly newsletters is pretty efficient and has been there for years after previous high turnover.

It's outdoor pool check! A lot of lanes which i love especially when you are doing laps swimming…read more It's open to the public from Monday till Saturday just check on their website which is accurate and always updated everyday. They got a punch card (10) passes for $64, not bad, if you want to swim for a day, they offer a 1 day pass for only $8 . Parking is free, just on the other side of the road but if you have a handicapped placard you can park near the vicinity. The pool is almost near the post entrance, it's just kinda tricky. I go by my Waze app and type the Trefethen Aquatic Center by Mills college.

This is a nice park in Alameda, but nothing too special about it…read more Pros: There's a separate area for big kids and little kids. There's also a tennis court and picnic tables under lots of shady trees. Cons: Some parts of it look a bit run down. The office had a boarded up door with graffiti, and the picnic tables were not in the best shape.

Franklin Park is a block wide/long park that's packed with something for everyone. technically…read moreclosed, there are some people enjoying themselves. amenities: tennis court, basketball hoops, greenery, bbq pits, children's playarea. bathrooms. notes: -parking around the area. no parking area.

Nice for soccer as well as baseball. The soccer fields are accommodating of beginners with six…read moresmaller fields and four of the next size up. They seem to have occasional issues getting the irrigation right. The baseball fields are classics with old school accoutrements.

Rittler Park was named after Otto Rittler, the City of Alameda's former  athletic director and…read moresuperintendent of recreation. Rittler Park is the first park created in the Alameda Southshore. Alameda's Southshore is a man-made landfill, which was developed in the 1950s-1960s. In the heart of the Southshore area, are 2 schools, and Rittler Park. It's level ground and there isn't alot of trees. Why? Because Rittler Park is also the multi-purpose sports complex for Lum and Wood schools. I graduated from both those schools. We spent PE classes on Rittler Park. Basketball, soccer, softball, running and volleyball. Later it became the home of Little League baseball. Rittler Park is the park of Southshore.

I had the pleasure of attending their Caregiver Support Group. I recommend it to anyone living the…read morecaregiver role. We are not alone. The shared experiences were truly heartfelt. Patience, understanding that in this role things are bound to change fr hour to hour & day to day, & taking time out for ourselves to exhale are just few of the takeaways that I'll forever cherish. Tina et al. Thank you for time well spent. #GoListen&Share

Staying connected to the Recreation & Alameda Park services. Reach out & enrich your love for art…read more& live music while making new connections

They had a small Chinese 9-Man Tournament at Lincoln Square Recreation Center in Oakland…read moreChinatown. They offer a few basketball courts, a jungle gym playground, etc. Two separate men and women's restrooms.

Such a great community environment. Went on a field trip with my sons school for New Years…read morecelebration. Everyone was so welcoming.

Notable is the skyline views of San Francisco. Very new park near the brewery and 'spirit alley' -…read moreis that what they call it where Almanac is located? Come here for the views. Very pleasant in the evening when the sun is going down. Lots of new apartments in the area - and I suppose that is who this park is mostly for. This area used to be the old Navel Air station. It is slowly getting transformed one park and residence at a time. There is a lot of hidden areas here in the general area that most people probably don't know about. Scolaries food truck I think is one of the bigger highlights.

A great new park in Alameda!!…read more This park sprung up as a result of the Naval Base being shut down, as did all the nearby apartments.. This area is now called Alameda Point. This is a good park, located near the water. It's long, flat, and straight, seems like a good place for skateboarding or the like!! The art structure stands out here. Lots of places to sit here also. A very good addition to this area!!