After some 50-odd years, my mother-in-law and her 10 siblings are handing down the responsibility for planning the annual extended-family picnic down to our generation and our family gets to be the lucky ones to plan the one in July 2009. So we'd appreciate recommendations for picnic venues (somewhere between El Cerrito and Fremont but preferably not too far south) that would be fairly senior-friendly - i.e., bathrooms and parking lot easily accessible and not too noisy (MIL and her siblings are in their 70's and 80's) but ideally with some recreational possibilities for the kids and grandkids (play structures, basketball/tennis, etc.). We were thinking of Redwood Regional or Roberts in the Oakland hills b/c the weather in July is generally fairly mild, but when we checked out Roberts on a saturday afternoon the crowd seemed a bit rowdier than our seniors would prefer. Have done Tilden before but it's occasionally been too chilly in July, afraid that anything in Lamorinda might be too hot in July for the seniors - any ideas for a place that might be "just right"?
Would appreciate any input!
I also like Kennedy Grove in El Sobrante, nice playground, beautiful park with plenty of shade (important in July!) There are boat rentals/fishing nearby which could be an option for some family members. Have fun!!!
Have you checked out Dimond Park in Oakland? It's on Fruitvale Ave. Between 580 and 13. There is not only outdoor picnic areas, but also a Rec center you can rent for a pretty reasonable cost. There is a parking lot above the rec center, and I believe there are a couple of handicap parking spots available on the level of the rec center.
The park has a pool, creek, big grass fields, and two play structures.
The rec center has a kitchen, bathrooms, and a deck which looks out to the park and the pool.
Good luck!
For a more urban setting, the city park on Arlington Ave is lovely, it has a pond, a club house to rent with bathrooms, playstructures (huge slides). It can be reserved at the El Cerrito Community Center on Moeser Lane. www.el-cerrito.org
I know it can be chilly, but often Tilden is perfect! I love the picnic sites off of South Park Drive in Tilden Park. This is the road that runs between Grizzly Peak and Wildcat Canyon road. There is one big field in particular that is very family friendly, I believe it is called "Padre", large parking lot, bathrooms, flat, reservable by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 at the East Bay Regional Parks dist.
There are no "play structures" but the field offers lots of opportunity for play (bring some badminton, or balls!) and the Carousel is right down the street
If that doesn't work for you, then look at San Pablo Dam area, or closer to Briones park, still in the East Bay regional dist. Check out http://www.ebparks.org/parks
You might try Refugio Park in Hercules. They have a couple of nice play structures for the kids, nice large lawn area, used mostly by families - never seen it be roudy. the weather is very mild. I think you will enjoy it.
I'm not sure how many are in your party, but I'm throwing a birthday party at Temescal Park (right off Hwy 13). Many seniors will be coming. We are on the south side near bathrooms, kids play structure...also there are walking trails, swimming and fishing for those that want something else to do. It is a small, but very pretty park with a lake and lots of trees. My reserved spot can hold 75, has 5 tables and two large bbq's, plus recylcing and trash bins handy.
I live in Pleasant Hill. When it gets to be too hot for us to handle and we want to do something outside we head to either the Martinez Marina or Crab Cove in Alameda. They are much cooler being they are close to the water. Both areas have play structures, bathrooms, and parking
One suggestion is Washington Park in Alameda(don't know the address). Good parking, tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball fields. Our church has the annual picnic here often.
Also there is another park in Alameda called Franklin Park, 1432 San Antonio Ave. This is a little more intimate and very nice, but most of the play areas are for small children/toddlers, and I can't remember what the parking is like.
Hi Elaine,
We've had fun family picnics at Kennedy Grove in El Sobrante (nice and sheltered), Montclair Park in Oakland (fun for the whole family, but bathrooms are limited), Lafayette Reservoir in Lafayette (grab a spot next to the Tot Lot), and Middle Harbor Shorline Park in Oakland (you cannot beat the views here, but weather might be a concern as it's on the water).
