I was very sad the last time I came here, in 2017. 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? read more

A long linear park that I wouldn't recommend. There is a dog park section but there is too much rif-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. read more

Ohlone Park West - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

I just want to update my review to balance the abundance of negative Ohlone vibes. I've come here maybe 20 or 30 times in the last 3 years. Every time I come we have a very pleasant time. I have two dogs that LOVE to play and wrestle with other dogs. They chase, and they box, and Ohlone is great for them. I know my dogs well, and recognize the sounds they make as play sounds. I've not felt any violent aggressive vibes from my dogs, or their playmates. Other dog lovers chat with us and I feel very safe bringing my muts here. In all my visits, I've never seen a dog fight at Ohlone park. That's not to say they don't happen, but from my experience they're NOT the norm here. For the most part, people pick up their dog's messes. The ground isn't THAT dusty or muddy. Compared to the tidal mud and huge stinky puddles at Pt. Isabelle, my pups come home clean after playing at Ohlone. There are push brooms on top of the storage shed for anybody to use. One time while I was hanging out on the picnic benches with friends, one thoughtful dog owner swept off all the paved walkways. After she completed a very vigorous and thorough cleaning, she was treated to a round of applause from all the other people in the park. It was cute. I'm sorry so many folks have had bad experiences here and I really just want to encourage all you conscientious dog loving yelpers to come out and keep this park the friendly place that I've enjoyed for the last couple years now. If you see me and my two mutts here, please do say hi! read more

This is one of the many places I take my dog that has an awesome Dog Park! I especially love the fact that they have two separate gated enclosed areas! One is about a little more than twice the size as the other for more active or larger dogs so they can have plenty of room to run and get plenty of exercise. The other area is perfect for smaller dogs and had a great grass area as well! They even have poop bags available if you forget to bring some with you! The people who bring their dogs here are super cool and have made some great friends here as well! This place definitely gets a from me! read more

Since October of this year, I've been going to this dog park about once a week. I prefer Ohlone for shorter, more manageable jaunts because it's fenced in so I don't have to wander all around the park trying to herd my dog. Most of the people who come here tend to be a shuffling crowd of regulars. Some are very chatty, and in general the dog owners who come here are very nice. There are several picnic tables set up all over the park so I bring my reading and can usually get about 10 to 20 pages of highly distracted work done while my dog romps around the playground. Yes, I keep an eye on him. The woodchip bedding isn't always so great, though. I've lost my dog's poop on those grounds before... and apparently, so have other dog owners, as I've tromped back with shit on my shoes more than once. In such cases, I think the leave-a-shit, take-a-shit policy works best -- I'll pick up someone else's poop, if only to help mitigate the fly problem in warmer months. *** Editing to add to what another reviewer said about dog aggression: I will also admit that I've seen more incidents of dog aggression at this park than Cesar Chavez, which I think is my dog's favorite park (a much larger and unfenced terrain, whereas this one can seem claustrophobic at times -- hence my 4 stars). My dog has been involved in a couple minor scuffles as well, but this goes in line with what I said about the *people*, in general, who seem very nice. The dogs aren't going to say why they started getting out of control, but the dog's owner, from what I've witnessed and experienced for myself, is usually easy to talk to, though there are always individuals who would rather be condescending. This is a risk you take at any dog park, perhaps some more than others, and the other reviewer is right -- you just need to discuss incidents as they occur, more openly, and immediately. read more

I'm a dog walker, so I spend a lot of time with dogs in various rails and parks and so I am pretty opinionated about them. I think you should only take your dog to Ohlone if you're truly desperate and have very little time. It's one thing if you live in a spot where this dog park would be the best you've got, but we East Bay dog owners/walkers have so many other amazing dog parks and trails to choose from. A few spots that are FAR better than Ohlone are: Pt. Isabel, Albany Bulb, Cesar Chavez at the Berkeley Marina, and my favorites--the trails in Redwood Regional Park and Tilden. **Pros: --It's enclosed. If you have a puppy or not-well-trained-to-come dog, because Ohlone is enclosed and pretty small, you can have some hope of being able to catch him or her when you want to leave. --It has water and water bowls for dogs. --There are picnic tables for owners and dogs to sit on/scramble over. --It's a good place to meet new friends since there's a lot of standing around. **Cons: --It gets pretty stinky, especially in the summer. --The woodchips wear thin sometimes and it becomes a mud hole in the rainy season. --It's small. --It's boring to some (that includes me--I would rather hike or walk with dogs than stand around. Then again, if I had a puppy, standing around while the pup goes nuts might be more fun.) --I've seen some pretty irresponsible people with their poorly trained dogs at the park (and seen some fights). (Note: I advise you to stop outside the park and check out the dogs' behavior inside the enclosure. If you see aggressive dogs and/or irresponsible owners, don't go in.) --If your dog is barky, you might want to go someplace else. There's been a lot of tension between neighbors and park-users. There are signs asking you to keep your dog's barking to a minimum, which, to some terrier or chihuahua owners, might be near to impossible. I use this park 1-2x/year these days because there are so many other truly wonderful spots that are close by to explore with my dog friends. read more

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Came here with my sister who has got a stark raving mad energetic mutt that if he isn't run for about 3 hours a day - will wreck havoc on everything (this park was perfect for him!) ... I brought my havenese puppy - who LOVES the big dogs and my 8 year old dopey havanese who we dubbed the "Fun Police". [Because he starts barking if other dogs appear to be having too much fun around him.] Great time by all ... and met some fun fellow dog owners! As with any population of random folks gathering, you'll have some nice people you can totally relate to ... and some crazies (humans and dogs). Dogs big and small ... and always some dirty old balls to pick up and toss around. I don't live in the area to make the drive down here ... but a nice place to grab a book and let your fur baby get some exercise and make some friends. read more

This is a review for the dog park: Close-by and good for a quick dog-with-dog interaction. They have nice wooden benches and tables for you to sit on. However, do be wary. Dogs love to pee on them and there's one table that smells pretty awful. There is no grass in the park and a lot of sticks that dogs like to chew on. There's always golf balls or ropes for dogs to play with and of course water and potty bags. Usually it is better if you have big dogs as most of the dogs there are pretty big. I bring my miniature pinscher/chihuahua there from time to time when I don't have time to bring him to the bigger dog parks. There are a few medium to small dogs that come by that he can play with but that is rather rare. To sum it up, it is a decent park and I will continue to go there. If you do have time and a car though, take your dog out for a treat at Cesar Chavez Park or Point Isabelle Park! read more

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I love bringing my baby to this park! For the most part there are some very well behaved gentle dogs here. I am not giving it a 5 star because every now and then you do have those owners who dont control or watch their dogs which can be very annoying. I have a small (17 pound) mutt and he loves all dogs. He sure enjoys coming here! Overall great park, pretty clean and they even have bags for people to clean up and a bowl of water if they get thirsty! read more

Ohlone Park West - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

I socialized my dog at this dog park while he was still a puppy (after he got his shots and everything of course). He made a ton of friends with other dogs - and their owners! - and has really blossomed into a friendly and happy adolescent dog. We came here almost every day, sometimes even twice a day, and I have fond memories of this park. That said, my dog did get scratched pretty seriously by another dog here (which resulted in a $700 trip to the vet) but I think you run the risk of something like this happening in any public space, not just this particular dog park. Perhaps the owner of the other dog should have trained their dog better, but I also should have been more careful in monitoring my dog's play so I could've cut in immediately when things got too rough. I'm still giving this park 4 stars because that incident doesn't strike out the good memories I've made here. I learned a lot from other friendly dog owners (got training advice and so on), and most owners have been very respectful of the rules. It's a lovely, huge neighborhood park (bark? hehe) and if you come here enough you see a lot of familiar faces - human and doggo alike. During one weekday night in April I counted up to 25 dogs that all fit comfortably in the big dog space! All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this park to dog owners in the area. It's one of the things I miss most about Berkeley! read more

Wanna know what I hate? -I hate that Pitbulls are misunderstood. Wanna know what else I hate? -Self righteous, Berkeley know-it-alls, with lisps that sound like they're sucking on ice. I've only had my pup (a Border Collie/Poodle mix) for a short while and have been coming to this park only the past three weeks, and it's been great. Completely enclosed, fun times for dogs. I notice many dog owners turn a blind eye when their pup goes for a poo, but those assholes are everywhere. Yesterday I had an outright horrifying experience followed by an infuriating one. Here's the short version: Big beautiful pit bull enters park. I notice it's clipped ears and giant balls and wonder what that says about the owner. Running, playing, FUN is being had! Self righteous, Berkeley know-it-all, with a lisp that sounds like she's sucking on ice starts shrilling "We got two un-neutered dogs over here!" Repeat that statement several times... Golden retriever with balls mounts pit bull with balls, shrilling lady hits pit bull. Pitbull bites retrievers scruff and locks on. Chaos ensues. Lady hitting. Dog owner missing. Dogs yelping. Blood. Courageous man stick his hand in the pit bulls mouth and detaches him. Pit bull owner arrives on scene, finally. Finger pointing. Blaming. Someone tells Self righteous, Berkeley know-it-all, with a lisp that sounds like she's sucking on ice she should never hit a dog when they are fighting. She denies it. She's a liar. Pitbull bit his own tongue. The other dog is okay. Pitbull owner is a 19-21 year old boy with fancy cornrows, he's sorry for leaving the park. His dog is still trying to get laid. He's massive, pulling the owner, whining, unhappy, drooling blood. It was frightening to look at. People calm, numbers are exchanged. Dogs are set free to roam again. Small child lingers near the pretty pitbull with the blood foam mouth. Everyone is on edge but acting like it's cool. My dog runs over to the pitbull. Me and the bf are right behind calling him to return. He's still a pup and recall is touch and go with him, he doesn't come. Pitbull mounts. I reach my hand under it's mouth to grab my dogs collar and pull. My bf confronts manchild. He tells him he needs to control his dog. Manchild thinks his masculinity is being challenged and responds "I can control my dog." It's not a matter of -can- you -didn't- our friend Eric reminds him. A bunch of "you don't know my dog" ensues to which Lying self righteous, Berkeley know-it-all, with a lisp that sounds like she's sucking on ice decides she's gonna step in here as well. She tells us to mind our business (The FUCKING nerve!) and that their (the previous owners) issue is settled. And that if we want a dick measuring contest we can... ...mumble... proud glaring about... smirking... posturing... Try an imagine if you ever said anything so rude and so sexist, to a Lying, self righteous, Berkeley know-it-all, with a lisp that sounds like she's sucking on ice... Can you imagine the wrath!?! We left immediately. Unfortunately, I don't trust manchild and his dog. And I warn other dog owners to beware that this is not a well trained dog leading around a low self esteemed child. I blame the boy not the dog. I will drive by before and check to make sure Lying self righteous, Berkeley know-it-all, with a lisp that sounds like she's sucking on ice with double standards is not there before I go in. Otherwise, I just may grow a dick and smack her with it. Go to Point Isabel people. You'll have a better experience. http://www.yelp.com/biz/point-isabel-regional-shoreline-richmond#hrid:fRPdSsqw_6etshgBx4PkGw read more

this is a review for the dog park... Goods: * totally fenced in * large, about 1/3 the size of a soccer field * water facets for dogs * "poopy bags" available Bads: * most of the area is covered in bark (good), but there are some patches of dirt/mud (bad). if you don't want your dog dirty, AVOID THIS PARK during wet periods. * many other dogs... i read some of the reviewers comments regarding aggressive dogs... my take: it comes with the territory. whenever you have anywhere from 5-20+ dogs in one area, it's expected that some might be aggressive. however, i found the park big enough to just play with my dog in some corner alone. i really, really appreciate having this park. ******* march 07 update: i originally gave this park a 5 star, but after visiting Drigon Dog Park in union city, i have to admit Ohlone is inferior. here's what Drigon park has that's better: * more grass/concrete (dog doesn't get as dirty) * obstacle course * separate areas for small and large dogs, and independent training so if you're feeling extra ambitious, drive another 30 mins and check out Drigon. read more

My dog, Max Tango - Canine Private Eye, (pictured here: http://static.px.yelp.com/photo/I7ygyN4tEgXvq6ZXmnWZEg/l ) would like to offer the following review of the Ohlone Dog Park: "Woof woof woof woof. Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof. (Woof woof growl growl woof growl woof woof Mom. Woof growl growl growl growl.) Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof Ohlone Dog Park. Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof wood chips woof woof mud. Woof woof woof woof woofers woof woof woof woof poop woof woof Mom woof. Woof woof woof poop woof woof woof! Minus one star woof woof woof water bowls woof doggie drinking fountains woof woof woof. Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof? Woof woof woof woof woof? Bitch, woof." Translation: I like this park. There are lots of friendly dogs to play with. (Except that stupid dog who jumped on my Mom. I didn't like that dog.) There are lots of good smells at Ohlone Dog Park. It's much improved since they put down wood chips over the mud. I wish all the dog owners were as responsible about picking up poop as my Mom is. She even picked up poop that wasn't mine! Minus one star because there aren't water bowls or doggie drinking fountains at this park. What's a dog supposed to do on a hot day after playing ball and chasing their friends? Suffer until they get home? Bitch, please. read more

According to some unremembered source, Ohlone was the first dog park in the U.S. Size-wise, compared to Point Isabel and some of the other places I take my basset, Ohlone is unremarkable. But the place has great Berkeley character, and the people- and dog-watching opportunities are priceless. And the groundcover is mostly bark, so I'm assuming that the rainy season will help this place stay less muddy (unlike Point Isabel, which I avoid like the plague after December 1st or so). Last time I was at Ohlone, I counted 26 other dogs, wandering, sniffing, playing, getting pets... And then a cute hippy-chick gave me a protest flyer for a "Free Palestine" event. read more

This place is great. A large, fenced dog park right in downtown Berkeley. Sadly, from there, its all downhill. The downsides are: 1. Its heavy use left nothing but dirt and after rain, its just a big muddy mess 2. Dog shit everywhere. I wonder what the people think all those plastic bag dispensers are for. 3. Ill mannered dogs. A lot of aggressive dogs that really should not be in a dog park. Dog fights abound. On days where a dog fight did not occur, there was always one brewing between a few of the dogs that shouldnt have been there 4. Idiotic, self-righteous owners. This is the biggest downside. These people dont like their dogs, nor do they understand (or care about) dog behavior. They just want to find a place to dump their dog for awhile to ameliorate their guilt for being at work all day. This is just like a preschool where they can throw their dogs and ignore them while they climb on the picnic tables, shit all over, and fight (most of this applies to both the dogs and the owners). The owners just sit there reading, oblivious. They are clueless about their dog's behavior, and just laugh when their big male pit is humping another male, who is obviously not happy about this display of dominance. I saw many near fights here, and I am talking about owners, not dogs. This is not a place to go unless youre trying to train your pit for fighting, or you want a place that your dog can shit and you dont have to pick it up, since nobody else does either. If you like your dog and are really interested in him having a good time, take him to Caesar Chavez or Willard park. There are no fences and lots of kids at Willard, and its not a dog park, so the poorly behaved dogs, and the morons that made them that way, are not tolerated. Caesar Chavez is a huge park with far fewer dogs than Ohlone, and the owners are walking and playing with their dogs, not ignoring them, so everyone is better behaved. read more

I would like to begin this review by saying, I am a cat person. I was born a cat person. I am a cat person. I will now, always, and forever be a cat person. KITTEHS! That being said I have fallen victim to the charms of a few dogs along the way. These dogs are cute and kind, and decently smart. And of course loyal as all get out. Shout out to Mercedes and Rebel. We took Rebel to Ohlone last weekend, feeling sorry for his cocker butt being cooped up all the live long day with nothing to do but watch Animal Planet. I was amazed. It is not a huge space, but just enough room to sniff and get in good run. And I haven't seen a smile like that on Rebel Jack's pretty face since....well since I walked into the apartment and found him surrounded by panties he had eaten the crotch out of. He made friends, he ran, he pissed on every possible surface be it hay, dirt, rocks, or bench legs. He mounted large dogs inappropriately. All in all it was a grand day for Rebel. And for me too. It warmed the cockles of my icicle heart to see him out there having fun. I wish there was a better seating setup for the humans, but pretty much it was super- quite calm and relaxing ironically. And it totally makes me a closet dog person too I suppose. I still love you kittehs too! read more

Sadly this is the WORST dog park in the East Bay. I can put up with mud and people not picking up their dog's poop, but the clueless owners drove me crazy. I've stopped going due to the number of times a dingbat owner has decided to 'socialize' their dog/people aggressive dog in the park. If your dog is aggressive (either to dogs or humans), turning it loose with a bunch of other dogs is not going to suddenly make it friendly. More likely it will make it worse, so PLEASE take yourself and your agro dog to a decent dog/people trainer. (Side bar, I've never seen a poorly behaved Pit Bull there and I know that's what you were thinking, right? No, it is the Shepherds, Dogos, Akitas, etc that seem to attract clueless owners. Oh, don't get me started on the Chi Monsters' owners.) I wonder if the reason for so many poorly behaved dogs with their clueless owners is because it is small and completely enclosed. They have a false sense of security, given their dogs don't come when called, and look at the park as a 'dog park appetizer', rather than an intense, at times, claustrophobic experience. If you are looking for a great dog park, go to Cesar Chavez during the week. It is quiet and large enough for you to let your dog run and not NEED to bump into any other dogs. But be forewarned, your dog better have a decent recall! read more

Frankly, I have very mixed feelings about going here. It's a great space (although a separate fenced-in area for the wee tiny dogs should be added) for dogs to run pack like and leap into bushes and generally slobber all over each other. More often than not, I leave Ohlone because it gets a little too aggressive for me and my pup. When I do go, I take pepper spray, in case I have to force a dog to release my dog's ear or throat, which thankfully hasn't happened. Basically, I prepare for anything and PAY ATTENTION to my dog. I want to notice if he's afraid or stressed out or trying to retreat from an aggressive dog. There are some weirdos here, like people telling you unsolicited how to "handle" your dog with choke collars and commands in German. There are also many sane and cool folks too. The point is that I want my dog to have a safe and fun time. read more

I'm really not a fan of the dog park, but the rest of Ohlone Park West is great -- volleyball courts, BBQ stands, and the west-west end across from the BART station is another great place to bring your dog. The dog park is super dusty, and compared to other dog parks in Berkeley and San Francisco, I've seen more irresponsible dog owners at Ohlone. Too many instances of big aggressive dogs running amok, or smaller dogs yipping endlessly. Gives me (and my boxer) anxiety, so won't be going there anymore. The west end, near the softball field, has a stretch of grass large enough to let my dog run off-leash. Towards sunset there's normally a big gathering of nearby folks that get together to chat. It's quite nice. There's a full-size basketball court, which is sometimes occupied by yoga-type folks in the early morning, but is otherwise occupied by friendly pickup games. read more

What can I say about this dog park? I really do want to like, it can be a nice park at times, but for the most part it's rather just sub-par. There are a lot of better choices in terms of dog parks in the east bay area, and even in Berkeley itself there are better alternatives than Ohlone. However it does have its merits, it's just that those merits are oftentimes overshadowed by all the downfalls of the place. So let's start off with the good points. First and foremost, for all that live in the area, it's just really convenient. I mean it's really really convenient and requires no work really on the part of owners. Which is probably one of the biggest faults of the park as well, but we'll get to that in a bit. Put it simply, if you're desperate then this place will work perfectly for your dog. Had a long/bad day at work? Well, just drop them off at Ohlone and let them rear around... And the reason you can do that is because it's enclosed, another point for the park. Next, I've also noticed that there are regulars at this park which allows for dogs to become accustomed to one another, a good thing. Plus most of the community members are generally really nice and cordial individuals. Lastly, this next point is a bit case specific but I think it's pretty decent for puppies on off days where the park is less crowded. Because of the enclosed location and small size, you can socialize your pup in a confined location and have control over the situation. That's a plus. But now for the demerits of this park...First off, as i mentioned earlier this place does not exactly require a lot of input from the owners. Dogs can run around freely without any supervision and frankly they do. An off-leash park comes with some liberties, but when owners are completely oblivious to what is going on around them and more importantly what their dog is up to then we have a big problem on our hands. It's not an exaggeration when other reviewers make statements about the acuity and focus some dog owners at this park are exhibiting. What compounds this situation is when these dogs that are running around unsupervised have behavioral issues i.e aggressiveness, dominance, barking etc. Sometimes these dogs can get out of hand and with a non-attentive owner things usually progress a lot further than they should under normal circumstances. Don't get me wrong though, I have a tiny and well trained miniature pinscher that I bring to this park. I'm not overprotective when dogs get into rough play and believe me when this guy plays with any other dog it gets rough for the little guy quick. Usually I'll just let them rough-house and rear around, but there are moments when you really just have to step in because a dog is too aggressive and the owner not paying any attention is unable to intervene or recall their pet. This goes for dogs of all shapes and sizes at this park as well, not just the smaller dogs. Obviously some of the dogs that grace this park are not properly trained and do have some behavioral problems. Other than those glaring problems with this park, I just have another minor complaint about the park. This place is kept relatively clean, generally because of clean up days, but on far too many occasions owners do not pick up after their dogs. It's like a game of minesweeper when you're walking out on the woodchips. Overall, I'd say if you're desperate you can come here. It's not half bad when there's a good crowd here, and for convenience sake it does the job. However, with all the inattentive owners that frequent this park and the dogs that have behavior issues, I'd advise that you to take a little bit of extra time and go to one of the prime dog parks at your disposal in the extended area. read more

Ohlone Park West - It's small dog day! - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

needs a little love. okay a lot of love. but you gotta love it. the place is a little run down. the paths are broken. the place is a little messy. some folks forget to clean up after themselves and their pets. it's the tragedy of the commons. when more and more people spend their time indoors playing with their gadgets, we forget about all the fun there is to be had outside. there's a dog park here. a play area with a jungle gym with slides and swings in a sandbox for kids. basketball courts. picnic tables. bbq pits. and lots of green grass all around all around and the green grass grows all around. this place is amazing! this was the perfect location for a birthday party! in collaboration with PARKOUR CONNECTIONS - i celebrated my 27th birthday party here. PARKOUR CONNECTIONS set up a play area/obstacle course on the grass and taught a 2 hour class for the event. we also played a little ball on the courts, threw the football and frisbee around and of course fired up the bbq. it just so happen to be on one of those rare berkeley winter days when the sun was shining and the planets aligned. i'm a kid at heart. what can i say? it was an AMAZING birthday. until next time cheers! read more

Ohlone Park West - Parkour Potluck at the Park (27th birthday) - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

Let me start by saying, my dog LOVES it here. It's near my house, so though it's not as fun as any of the other "spots" (albany bulb, lake anza, berkeley marina, etc) it is utilized quite often. I could knit-pick, but im not going to since Im just grateful to have this dog park so available. But my one complaint, and this is something that seems to have become more of an issue more recently, is lack of attention by owners of aggressive dogs. Actually, im being polite, because really it is just one particular woman with her foster dogs. While she's busy yakking on about the neighbors not having a right to complain of barking blahblahblah, her dogs run around biting other dogs. Sometimes, I'll just turn around and leave the park if i see her there. It's a pity. No one likes a bully. Update: Whew! The crazy dog lady with her misbehaving poochies hasnt been spotted in ages. Maybe someone else finally told her off! Im torn between giving this place a 3 star or 4, but for now I'll give this place the benefit of the doubt. read more

I love bringing my dog here - I've been to a few other dog parks in the Bay Area that are just concrete or a dog run. This place is mostly wood chips, dirt, and a bit of grass, which is actually great because it's mostly free of the dangerous foxtails that occasionally plague places like Pt Isabel during the spring and summer. The dogs seem to love it. It's big but fenced in, so if your dog is still working with you on voice control, it's a good stepping stone to the larger, less fenced in dog parks. There is no separation between small and large dogs yet, so smaller dogs who like to be chased or are pretty tough will do better here. There are occasionally dog owners who don't pay attention to their dogs, and you need to ask them to pull back their overly enthusiastic dog. However, for the most part, there is a regular community of people and dogs who come back daily or weekly, and all the owners are really nice. Most of the dogs are really sweethearts, and there are definitely some who just come to be pet by other owners. read more

This park is a godsend to me. I bring my dog here almost every morning before work. It is great to have a fenced in area for the dog to run around but I can control our departure easier and get to work reasonably on time. Everyone in the mornings is really nice and their dogs are great. I do hear stories about people and dogs having issues that I have never experienced and someone told me that it gets pretty hectic in the afternoons. My dog loves to play with all the other humans, and I enjoy meeting the other dogs! read more

I used to come here quite a bit when I lived in Berkeley and have gone back a few times with Dash. He seems to be a big fan of the hay stacks but doesn't care too much for the other dogs there. I, however, like the owners that I meet there quite a bit. Good berkeley folk. read more

I really want to like this park. Every few years I give it another try, and come to the same conclusions. This is a good park to take your dog to if you are really lazy and just want to sit around drinking coffee, reading the paper, knitting, and/or talking to other sedentary dog owners who think they can get out of walking their dogs by dropping them into a big pile of other dogs and hoping that they chase each other around a little bit. It's a great place to go if you hate cleaning up dog poop since you can use all of the above mentioned activities as distractions from noticing when your dog is crapping. The park is not big enough, and it is dirty. The wood chips are choking dusty in summer and a sea of mud in winter. The place reeks of urine. Some of the regular dog owners are just plain weird and full of themselves. Most of them allow their dogs to jump all over the picnic tables even when people are sitting at them. The prevailing attitude seems to be, "Oh, how cute." This same clueless leniency has led to the many dog fights I have witnessed at this park. Dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior are "just playing." Nobody seems to pay much attention until a fight breaks out, and then the accusations fly. I would not want to live near this park because, although there are signs posted everywhere regarding not letting your dog bark its head off, nobody seems to correct the very barky dogs on the days when I have been there. If you want your dog to have a great experience and get some real exercise, visit Pt. Isabel, Tilden Park, Redwood, Sibley, Albany Bulb, or even Willard Park in Berkeley (not a legal off-leash area, and more clueless lazy dog owners, but at least there is real grass). read more

I'm editing this review because dog owners need to know that it's important to be very vigilant here. There have been several recent attacks including on our dog who was attacked yesterday. She's lucky she had her harness on because it saved her from a more serious bite. The dog bit me as well trying to get her away from the dog because the owner didn't do anything. I had a previous encounter with the same dog where my partner had to pass our dog over the fence to me so she'd be safe. Yesterday the dog gripped my dog and wouldn't let go, and it was only then that the owner even tried to get him off her. The park cleared out and this person continued to let him run around and play after the attack with no reprimand and no acknowledgement for what had just happened other than smiling and saying "he's just playing." There was no concern for me or my dog even though a dozen people were gathered screaming at him to get his dog out of the park. Be warned that not everyone here cares about other dogs or other people in general. Guidelines and rules don't do anything to stop owners who are negligent and inconsiderate of others' safety. I feel like local dog owners should know about this and the park and the city should do something as well. Ohlone used to be our favorite park and a treat for my dog whenever we took her, but I'm extremely hesitant to take her there again. read more

The name is a bit confusing, as "Ohlone Park West" actually resides east of "Ohlone Park East". Anyway, if you play softball, the field here is really amenable to hitting home-runs. Dingers, if you will. B/c remember, chicks dig the long ball....(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltD21rYWVw). If you do plan on having a home-run derby, try not to hit the dogs being walked beyond the fence in the outfield......unless they're really mean, in which case you can hit the owner too. read more

This rating is for the dog park portion. There is no separation between the large dogs and the small dogs. I think this is ok, if the owners are ok with this. Some owners with smaller dogs could be a bit timid to bring their dogs to this dog park because of this reason. The last few times I went there were a majority of large dogs. It's not an incredibly big dog park, but it allows dogs to run around. It's covered in tanbark which worries me a slight bit because my dog just cut his paw running through leaves, etc. Although, I know that is normal for an active dog. There is a cement path that runs through the middle of the park and several wooden benches for people to sit and be social. read more

We've only been once to that dog park with our foster German Shepherd and she as well as we very much enjoyed it. If she will not get adopted this week, we'll definitely be back this weekend. The park was relative spacious and clean, with friendly owners staying close by and keeping an eye on their dogs. Maybe there are some negative points to that place but we yet have to see them. read more

Running the dawg in the Ohlone Dust Bowl. :hack-hack: One star for parking, one that there IS a dog park, but beyond that, it's kind of sad to be in the middle of this lovely greenbelt and the dogs get dirt and wood chips. I can live with the Berkeley folks and their dogs, but the dust just sucks...I'll bet it's fun in the rain. Actively searching for another spot. read more

This is a great park to hang out at. There's a lot of grass hang out on and there is also a dog park here that I come to. The dog park is okay. It's not my favorite dog park, but it's in walking distance from where I live so it's pretty convenient considering i don't have a car anymore. The dogs here also seem to not favor this park either. My guess is that it's kind of small and the park is made up of wood chips instead of grass on the ground. There are also pic nic tables where people and their canine friends hang out on. This dog park seems to have the same people who come here and they are pretty friendly. One thing nice about this park is that even when it starts to get dark in the evening, there is usually a small group of people here. read more

friendly people and a dynamic layout for the dogs to play in. it's not just a big empty space like a lot of dog parks, there are trees, picnic tables, rocks and a cement pathway for when it's rainy. this park also has a good balance of shady spots and sunny spots. and there are usually friendly people and friendly dogs there right up until the park closes. read more

I'd never taken Henry to a fenced in dog park before but it was a nice change of pace. The park was very clean and, maybe because of the time of day I went, was not terribly crowded. There were just enough dogs for Henry to play comfortably and to hang out with the other pups. The other owners were quite friendly as were their dogs. The only thing I found a little strange, not bad, was that most of the dogs hung out on the picnic table. On top of the picnic tables. It was really funny to see but they all seemed to enjoy it. I'd definitely go to Ohlone Park West again. read more

It's a fine park. Very vertical. I like that someone put it there in the middle of Berkeley. There's a dog park, a place for the kids to climb and play, and tons of space for hippies. It's not terribly impressive, but it's our park. Yay for Ohlone. read more

Today was Raiders(12week old pitbull) first time at the dog park, I've heard great things about this park and being from the area originally, the over 30 mile drive wasn't a prob! He had the time of his life! The dogs were awesome most were HUGE, I wish more puppies. Raider ran w the big dogs got ran over a few times but he LOVED every min ! The owners were all very nice and concerned, that really eased my mind. Raider got lots of hugs and kisses from everyone :D If you love ur dog as much as I do, especially if you have a pitbull puppy treat them to this park. read more

Ohlone park is one of the best in Berkeley. A little strip of land that runs along the north side of west/east running Hearst street, Ohlone is like a mini oasis in the urban expanse of the City of Berkeley. It's wonderful for jogging as all the large trees and miles of grass make the temperature cool and shady. The kids jungle gym further down a little past Hearst and Sacramento is also nice. Benches to keep and eye on the kids, Shade on warmer days and it is so very close to North Berkeley Bart. The best feature, however, is the dog park at Hearst and Milvia. It is so very convenient, and the dogs and companions who patronize the park are all a lovely eclectic mix. Thought you loved people watching? Well watch dogs and their people. It's even better. My doggies love to run about and meet all the other dogs. It's close to my house with ample parking, and there are baggies already there (in case you forget one) to help keep your doggies' pressies in the trash. Click the link to find out hours. read more

My wife and I visit Ohlone with our two dogs, Charlie and Olive, twice daily, so yes, we're fans. Truly it should be the two of them writing this review, since the park is for them after all. They absolutely love it. There are plenty of regulars at Ohlone, which means the dogs get to know each other over time, and develop really nice friendships with each other. Mud slides (hyperbole) and wood chips aside, this is a fantastic place to bring your fury friends and meet some of your own! Charlie is an enormous ogre, and Olive is a petite pupster, and the park works well for them both. In all of our experience there, we've never seen any mange catching, or injury inducing battles. The dog owners are generally lovely, friendly folks. This is just a really nice place to come in the afternoon to read in the sun, relax by the picnic tables, or watch the clumsy play of cheerful adorable animals. There's also a wine Friday around 4pm, a Halloween costumed dogs celebration, and a real community effort to keep the place clean. Another endorsement: Sometimes people who don't even own dogs come to this place to live vicariously through the dog owners. If that's not telling I'm not sure what is! read more

chappa, my rhodesian ridgeback mutt loves this place. i like that it's fenced and has a lot of things for a pooch to do: 1. roll around on barkdust 2. sniff other pooch's booties 3. roll around hay/bark 4. run on cement pathway 5. jump over hay bales 6. poop on barkdust Ahhhh... what a life. read more

The EXERCISE area in the park is Between McGee and Grant on Hearst. Has two sets of handles at different heights do pull ups or just monkey bar like hanging and a set of parallel bars. It's on a piece of cushioned asphalt. And..a working water fountain read more