Grove Park sits between Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oregon Street, Grove Street, and Russell Street in South Berkeley. With a large field and baseball diamond (currently under renovation), a small but mighty children’s playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the YAP youth center (targeted next for refurbishment!), it is a terrific neighborhood area.
You might be summoned to Grove Park for peewee soccer, high school softball, ultimate frisbee practice, or the occasional community celebration. I’ve seen bouncy houses in the grass and DJs spinning disco music for roller skating on the basketball courts. There is ample street parking.
Grove Park Playground profile
Location: 1730 Oregon Street at Grant Street.
Unique Features of Playground: Large rope climbing structure for big kids; slides, swings, zipline, and space-themed climber with tot swings for the little ones.
Fenced in? Tot lot, yes; big kid area, no, but there is a low concrete wall.
Swings: Two bucket swings in the tot area; and 2 swings in the big kid area.
Surfaces: Limited cushy rubber mat surface in the tot area with mostly wood chips. The big kid play area is mostly wood chips.
Bathroom: Yes, by the basketball and tennis courts.
Unique Features of the Park Overall: The park has tennis courts with small bleachers, a baseball field, plenty of grass (attached to the field only), basketball courts, and the MLK Jr. Youth Services Center (or YAP).
Lunch tables & seating: Seven benches and tables are scattered throughout the playground area.
Parking: Free street parking right next to the park all around; weekday parking usually isn’t a problem; weekends are a bit more difficult.
Shade: Not much.
Pros: Mixed-age appropriate; lots of wide open space; sports courts; bathrooms; updated play structures.
Cons: A very popular park, so it can get crowded.
More Fun Things to Do In Berkeley with Kids >>
Grove Park Tot Lot
A fully fenced-in play area for small children is a great stop for local families and daycares. The play area sand has been replaced with (controversial?) woodchips. Because this is a smaller playground and park than it’s nearby cousin, San Pablo Park, it’s usually not a problem to keep an eye on mixed-age kids. Two bucket swings are popular.
The rest of Grove Park
Grove Park is a favorite local neighborhood park without the vast open spaces of larger San Pablo Park but a smattering of favorite features: big lawn, baseball diamond (soon!), basketball courts, and tennis courts. The sports courts are in great condition and have a small bleacher area.
When you visit, treat yourself to a Saigon Latte at Red Bay Coffee on Alcatraz (about a ten-minute stroller walk), or you could pick up a snack or lunch from Berkeley Bowl on Oregon St (about a five-minute walk). The Tarea Hall Pittman Library is even closer (just across MLK on Russell St).
