Looking for a new picnic spot with a fun playground and has many things to do and explore? Arlington Park has tons of green space and is one of those winding parks that has a variety of areas to explore beyond the play structures.
Address: 1120 Arlington Blvd, El Cerrito, CA 94530
El Cerrito’s Arlington Park
Arlington Park tot park and playground
Within this 5-acre space managed by the city of El Cerrito sits a tot play structure, a playground for older kids, and a large grassy field on which kids can play with stomp rockets or roll around. The grass is well-maintained.
The park’s play area is divided by the small creek that runs across the park. On the tot side, the play structure features two level slides with challenging chain bridges and rock climbing walls for the little ones. It has four baby bucket swings and a sandpit. Bring your own sand toys. I’ve seen older kids get creative and use the water from the creek and get messy in the sand pit, but my littles haven’t figured it out yet.
For older kids, the two tall curvy slides at the back of the park can offer some thrilling sliding action. There are also four regular big kid swings next to the play structure.
The playground area is covered in soft rubber playground mat, while the rest of the park is covered in grass and paved walking paths.
This large park is not enclosed but because of the slope leading up to the roads, it is hard for little ones to run out to the streets.
Exploring more of Arlington Park
There’s plenty of flat grass area for the kids to run around; watch out for the creek and the wooden bridges. A pond offers additional intrigue for little ones who will probably put their feet in it, so make sure to rip off their shoes before that happens.
Park offers multiple picnic tables and benches throughout the park. The tables can be reserved for parties at the El Cerrito Community Center. The park hosts many birthday parties on weekends.
Although there is a restroom north of the playground and you need to rent a key for $18 at the community center to use it. The key opens ALL the municipal El Cerrito park bathrooms and you get the money back when you return the key.
Farther from the playground are basketball courts and tennis courts.
Our bottom line on Arlington Park
We love it here. This park is great for strolling around. The paths are well paved and the pond adds tranquility for a peaceful walk along the water. There were ducks swimming in the pond, but up on closer look, we discovered they were wooden duck floats, not real ones.
It is relatively busy in the afternoons but not overly crowded. My 3-year-old often makes new friends to play with.
We always see at least one dog walking in the park, which provides great excitement for both my girls.
