Memorial Park doesn't look like much from the Portland St. side. just saw trees, grass, a…read morechildren's playground. there's 2 blocks worth of "park" here. didn't look at the further end which may be hosting all the sports area and assembly area.

Before summer began the city's newsletter bragged about a "refurbishing" of the tennis courts…read more Great idea as it was much needed! At the very least a cleaning was necessary and so was an updating of proper signage for tennis court usage, rules & etiquette. Was looking forward to being able to reserve the court for scheduled matches. Then I wondered how long it would last before it fell into disrepair again. Not too long! Sadly for those of us who love the game and use tennis courts with respect , the Albany Memorial Park courts are now again being used as dog parks; social venues (that include bringing meals & drinks) for pickleballers ; play grounds for soccer/volleyball/skating/etc. Foul language from both young & older people. This park would get a higher rating if facilities were used as intended. Maintenance of the property can only do so much. Park users must learn to be Responsible & Respectful people too.

Our pretty, local park. Beautiful views, good facilities, relaxed community feel. We are blessed to…read morehave it!

This is a very clean park--including the bathrooms and water fountain. The structure area is small…read more(best for ages 3-8), but there is nice space for picnics and frisbee, tennis courts, basketball hoops, and a community center. Plus there is a view. A good place to host a party or meet young families for lunch.

Baseball field / playground areas is Cerrito Vista Park. Nestled at the top of the El Cerrito…read morecommunity is an intimate park / play area pushed high from the street level with steps leading to the field. Baseball games were being played while there are two separate play areas designated for smaller and bigger kids. Shade areas are hard to come by on warmer days. There are two benches with cement barriers wrapped around tree areas. Both are used for seating, but the cement areas offer ample shade under the trees. The larger play area for bigger kids has many structures to explore, climb and slide down. During our three hour stint of play, our daughter had many kids to play with. Between the play structure, digging in dirt and playing with bugs, play happened throughout the play area. Parking can be limited ,especially during baseball season, since it is nestled in a residential area with street parking. It is a few minutes from Baskin Robbins if the little ones have earned a scoop.

** The following review reflects my experience prior to and DURING the shelter-in-place order…read morecurrently in effect. ** Truth be told, I walk in the nearby Hillside Natural Area far more often than I come here not because I'm the rugged hiker type. Stop laughing. It's just that I'm not a fan of redundancy when it comes to adding up my daily steps. The park is primarily a rectangle with a bit of a wooded area, an easy-to-miss picnic area, and a paved perimeter around the baseball fields. This latter feature is inarguably convenient, especially for the baby stroller brigade and seniors who don't want to think about the terrain they're trodding. I don't either, but I need variety so I'll climb the steps to the hardly-used picnic grounds, make my way up to Navellier, and walk downhill on Moeser until I find myself back on the paved path again. It's called the Survivor trek of Cerrito Vista Park. Stop laughing. The main challenge with the paved perimeter is avoiding the occasional errant baseball and upholding safe distancing when it gets crowded. And indeed it does because shelter-in-place makes this park more attractive to the claustrophobically challenged. RELATED - Exploring El Cerrito? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18

Long linear park with big exciting news. Basketball courts, dog park and play structure among other…read moreamenities. Big news!! Voters approved new bathroom and is currently under construction. Basketball courts well lit and kids play structure looked newer and clean from a distance. Dog park ensures safety for all. Linear park great for a walk too. Enjoy the green trees and grass. With People's Park gone this may be a close alternative and replacement. People's park no longer for the people - rather student housing.

It did strike me how odd the shape of this park was when I first visited that it was indeed a park…read more I just thought it was a series of unrelated green patches, but it's actually an intentionally narrow park, about a half-block in width and stretching four blocks along Hearst to Sacramento with one additional isolated section that ends at Milvia. Aligned with the beginning of the Ohlone Greenway (review: https://bit.ly/3bcblbO), it kinda looks like Chile on a map of South America. The reason for the shape abnormality is BART. When the Richmond line was built underground in the late 1960's, the idea was to build residences on top of it. Can you imagine how much your juice glasses and Corningware would've shaken with each passing train? Anyway, Berkeley being Berkeley, locals were up in arms that the area not be developed and started planting trees and plants without getting permission from the city, They called it 'People's Park Annex'. It sounds like a scene from "Hair" where the hippies start singing "The Age of Aquarius ". The city decided to leave the groovy space alone. Now there are playgrounds, a basketball court, a ball field, and a dog park among other amenities. No need to be a hippie to appreciate the park. RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

I was very sad the last time I came here, in 2017…read more The first time I came here, probably in 2005 or 2006, I was full of hope for a new job and also worried, probably even a bit scared. The job ended up being pretty scary, but I had another part-time job in Berkeley off and on from 2005 through 2013, and that job made me happy. I don't associate Ohlone Park West with either of those jobs, not really, but about six months before that sad day in November 2017, I saw someone riding a bike on Shattuck Avenue in Downtown Berkeley, and it really scared me even though she was smiling and even though--most importantly--she didn't notice me and probably wouldn't have recognized me even if she had noticed me. The park stretches along four ho-hum blocks from MLK Way to Sacramento Street. It's awesome that such a random park exists where it exists, and I'm sure many people wanted it gone before it was a proper park so they could develop the land and sell real estate, so I'm really glad the City of Berkeley held firm and allowed this public space to remain public space. But the City of Berkeley being the City of Berkeley, this park is a total mess, and anything the city does to improve it will inevitably make it worse or cost too much money, or both. I don't have any problem with cities spending money on things like public parks, but Berkeley is a dysfunctional city at best and a bastion for bad, expensive ideas 365 days a year. I love ramshackle parks; don't get me wrong. If the area and my state of mind hadn't been so dour in November 2017, I might be writing a totally different review right now. But it seems like I saw the same inconsiderate people doing the same annoying stuff every time I walked these four blocks, and after a while--especially when you're still dealing with the unexplainable sudden death of a good friend--I just didn't want to visit again. I guess the park could magically change and brighten my day, and I do love when my dire predictions are proven wrong, but the problem is that I'm usually right (it's definitely more than 50 percent of the time), and I just don't need more sadness in my life. It is a nice walk, though, and I can think of many worse ways to spend time while you're waiting for an oil change and have the stinking suspicion that the mechanic might be in the process of stealing your car. Why do I have so many strange experiences waiting for oil changes in Berkeley?

A long linear park that I wouldn't recommend. There is a dog park section but there is too much…read morerif-raf. Green areas are easy on the eyes but this seems to have become a place to dump trash and old couches. Just because of the trees and such I think it deserves a couple stars. Its fascinating how certain places evolve over time.

Barbara and Jay Vincent Park in Richmond has abundant park space abutting the water. It is a fun…read moreplace to sit and watch airplanes, including seaplanes, as they take-off or land in and around the Bay Area. Walking paths through the park are smooth and there is abundant space to sit, be it on a grassy area or a bench. Each of my visits here has been via foot and I have found access to be a non-issue.

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. **…read more I'm not sure what the proper analogy is for this six-acre park other than describe it as a Q-Tip, well, at least the fuzzy end of one. It's really a patch of green with a small beach and a walking trail around its perimeter on a promontory that juts out from Richmond's Inner Harbor on Marina Bay Parkway. What makes it unique is the naked visibility of the park which you can see from almost all points around the harbor (photo: https://bit.ly/2XuHS5F). With the playground facilities, picnic areas, and usable public restrooms, the space has been obviously designed for local families, but you can find old Yelpers here periodically for lack of alternative activities during a pandemic. RELATED - Exploring Richmond? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18

For such a small park they pack in lots. Great design, two play structures and lawn in the middle…read more With such s small park it was great design pushing the play structures to the side. It makes room for kicking a ball around in an otherwise small park. Picnic table and trash can finish off the tiny park. Everything you need. Small and clean. Probably best for little kids.

Great little park for toddlers! And babies learning to crawl! Great sand box with water such a…read moreplus! Nice field for picnics or dogs or activities only downfall there is no bathroom. It's not a far walk from us but definitely inconvenient if you're potty training a toddler The big side park is equally as entertaining a lot of climbing to challenge the kiddos!

I bring the kids here so we can have fun in the sun at our neighborhood "beach". There are about 12…read moreparking spaces (including 1 handicap) and a bike rack. I see people running, jogging, feeding the birds, fishing, swimming in the water, etc. There aren't any bathrooms which kinda works out perfectly since there aren't many parking spaces available.

Super small park, with a super small parking lot!!…read more It is usually pretty windy here, and you get some good views of San Francisco. There's also a super small beach here close to the parking lot. I saw some windsurfers leaving from that beach. If you're lucky enough to get a parking spot here, you can take the short walk to the tip to get those city views. I only saw one bench here along with the Point Emery plaque. It's also, literally, right next to Interstate 80. I gave this park an extra star for the views!!