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    Backesto Park

    3.6 (30 reviews)

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    Salvador Dali @Chalk Art Festival 2015
    Allen C.

    I have driven past Backesto Park numerous times but never had the desire to go check it out. It usually seems to have shady clientele loitering around. The park itself is just average. It has dedicated areas for sports like tennis and basketball. Nice to see some greenery in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the vibe kills it for me. Having said that, I did stop by recently on the day that the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival was taking place. A large crowd of visitors was there so I felt more comfortable. In fact, it was quite festive. Kids were running around. A live band was playing on stage. It was a very warm day. Good thing the ice cream cart was present and there were also a few food trucks. Some chalk drawings were nicely done while others were drawn by kids which was cool. The one with the minions was adorable. I might come here again if there is a special event.

    Community Center
    John D.

    Backesto Park (BP) is located in one of San José's more -shall we say- "suspect" neighborhoods. The area is a well known hotbed for gang activity, drugs, and is rife with Local Outdoor Enthusiasts just "hanging out." The park itself isn't in the greatest shape: with the restrooms being quite disgusting (on a good day!); the buildings are usually covered in "Street Art"; and the park grounds are shoddily kept up-- but that's pretty standard for most CSJ parks these days. All this is very unfortunate because BP has some really unique features that make it stand out from most CSJ Parks. Here's the skinny: -Two separate restrooms; one at the north end and one at the south end of the park. -Newly renovated Tennis Courts -Basketball and Handball Courts -Playground and Tot Lot -Community Center -Picnic tables and BBQ Pits -Lawn Bowling -Lighted Softball/Baseball Field BP is the poster child for breaking the Realtor's #1 rule of: location, location, location; if this park were in Willow Glen or Almaden Valley it would very easily be a 5-star park -- but seeing as how it's not, it gets a very generous 2-stars from me. Ordinarily, I would never come here of my own volition; sometimes work brings me to the area and I'll need a place to make a quick pit-stop, and that's about all this place is good for.

    A group of students paid homage to Dali with this cool piece!
    Janis M.

    I have to say that I have actually never been to this park with the exception of the Luna Chalk Art Festival last year and it was great! They basically had spaces for each of the artists (including some schools) and some of the art was truly amazing! It was cool because they had live music and no entrance fee to enjoy the festival. For $20 or something like that, we got a box full of colored chalk, and a space to draw on. My 8 year old had a BLAST and me and the BF got to pretend we were Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dali for an hour or so. We were even lucky enough to sit beside someone who knew what they were doing and lent us knee pads/boards so that we wouldn't get chalk all over ourselves (which we did anyways) but at least we know what to bring for next year! If any of the other events here are as fun (simple, but fun) as the chalk festival, then I can't wait to come back for more. Tips for those who plan to attend the next one: - bring chairs and shade - it was HOT! - bring cash - if you want a box of chalk and a space to draw on - bring snacks - cause the lines for the (2) trucks that were there were super long - bring your artistic or not so artistic self and have a great time! Oh, and we also saw a basketball court (I think that's where my 17 year old disappeared to) and tennis courts?

    Rex M.

    I love that the park over the years has improved... no more gang fights pssf. Basketball court, tennis courts.. which fill fast on Sunday's with all them "one day I might be a pro". handball court is always in effect, oh and they got for you young ones.. play ground. member them day's couldn't wait to hit the swing set..ugh think I'm gonna barf.. to much swinging. Large open grass field through out the entire park.. Yay do you want to go outside? let's go for a run, whoa! didn't see you their passed out. Yes unfortunately there seems to be a group of drinkers who occasion the park to frequently...LIKE EVERYDAY!, but there harmless and almost forgot the park every week is kept up by I'm not sure who they are in there orange vest. But they go around picking up the litter There are also BBQ pits, nice and I always see family's out on the weekend having fun in the sun. cooking up a feast, drinking there favorite beverage of choice, and laughing it up. I do go for a run at night sometimes, and yes sometimes freak myself out..spooky what! it's dark out.

    The proudest mural on the handball courts...
    Yr P.

    This park is an astonishingly diverse, active, cheerful center of Northside community life. At any time of day or night there are countless people and groups here enjoying some time outdoors. Tennis, handball, and hanging out seem to be the most popular. There are a few homeless folks making use of the restrooms and some folks smoking on a bench somewhere out of the way, so it's no Pleasantville, but everyone's kind to each other around here and cheerful. Don't miss big events like the annual flea market, the chalk art festival, or the movie with neighborhood night out. Everyone comes out for these events and they're a blast. For delicious eats nearby, try Swaad Indian, Rollo's donuts, or Chiramontes deli.. All are delicious, especially Swaad. A short stroll up 13th will get you many choices of taquerias, and across 13th at Empire is a small but friendly convenience store that's always trying to sell handmade egg rolls super cheap. Try it, they're good!

    auuuu beautiful chalk artist hands
    Patricia V.

    5 chalk colored stars * * * * * Luna 2012 Chalk Art Festival that was held here. 3 stars for the actual park itself * * * Tennis courts Baseball field Play structures Bathrooms Large grass field area Sidewalk that winds itself through the park which was awesome for the chalk artwork Plenty of street parking as well as parking in the surrounding neighborhood

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    9 months ago

    This park is super family friendly and lots of space and parking area! I love that the playground is gated for the kiddos!

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    4 years ago

    Great park, hope they add some pickleball courts , better use of space per person. They could turn 2 tennis courts into 6 pickleball courts

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    4 years ago

    the lawn is quite rough. watch out for trip holes. Kids love the ice cream man I was happy to see the farmers market.

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    3 years ago

    A lot of food vendor. next to the dirty restroom. look not like a park more like food park.

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Park is nice for a good walk and all but ya gotta watch out for dog poo lots of the time, other than that it's a good/decent park.

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    12 years ago

    Ahh!!! The bathrooms here are so weird. Sometimes they're open and other times they're not! Some of us have to gooooooo. Poooooeyyyyy.

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    Ask the Community - Backesto Park

    Review Highlights - Backesto Park

    Home of the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival and on of the largest National Night Outs!

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Rotary PlayGarden - Squirrel/seating

    Rotary PlayGarden

    4.2(195 reviews)
    1.3 miDowntown

    What kind of park has a zipline?!? THIS ONE. Two seating options, one with a harness for toddlers,…read morethe other for older kids (I even saw adults using this). The park also offers a fun and inclusive space for children, with climbing structures, sturdy cement slides, swings for both toddlers and older youth, a see-saw, merry-go-round, trampoline, and spongy material making up the ground's surface. The occasional squirrel, lizard, and butterfly too. As an adult simply looking for a place to relax while waiting for my car at an auto shop nearby, I was pleasantly surprised to find this park accommodating. Dirt and concrete trails weaving through the garden, lovely vegetation in spring, and a good amount of picnic tables and benches scattered throughout. Also, a shady area with fake grass and seats made out of smoothed-out logs and tree trunks, as well as adirondack chairs where I was able to hang out and nap while I was there. It wasn't too crowded or crazy on a Friday morning, though it got busier as it neared noon time. In addition, the place offers a parking lot and clean restrooms for convenience.

    Visited Rotary Play Garden for the first time over MLK holiday, and it was packed! It makes me…read morewonder if it is usually this busy or if it's because of the holiday weekend. The play garden has everything kiddos love -- slides, one seesaw, one round spinner, one rope climbing thing (that can also spin), swings (bucket and standard), small water play area, and a Zipline (one for little kids 3+ and one for older kids). They also have an area with tables, where someone was having a party (no idea if reservations are needed though). Expect to wait in line for a turn of the park is crowded. The play garden is fenced off from the rest of the park. They have a restroom on site. They have a small parking lot that is nearby the entrance of the play garden. I noticed some people parked on a smaller side street and walked over. I'm not sure what other parking options there are otherwise. We would return if we're in the area again and if it's less busy. It's a solid park and play area for those who live nearby.

    Photos
    Rotary PlayGarden - Parking lot sign

    Parking lot sign

    Rotary PlayGarden - If you get to the top of the bridge and see the windmill, you can take a seat and listen to SJC radio traffic! So cool!

    If you get to the top of the bridge and see the windmill, you can take a seat and listen to SJC radio traffic! So cool!

    Rotary PlayGarden - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Delano Manongs Park - Play structure

    Delano Manongs Park

    4.5(37 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    This park is amazing. So many things to explore, kids can climb, jump, create music sounds, run…read moreand explore. When looking for a park that creates adventure this is it! Parking can be a bit difficult, but we circle around and one opened up. So not too bad of parking There are also bathrooms near by and plenty of shade

    Such a beautiful park!!…read more I've had Delano Manongs Park bookmarked for quite some time and as time passed, I honestly forgot about this place. With an upcoming play date planned between myself and a gf, I was happy that this particular park was picked for our meet up. First things first, this park is MASSIVE! Delano Manongs Park is broken into 10 parts- YES, I SAID 10!! This includes a small and large dog park, multiple gardens, a fitness station, and a number of play structures to keep all your little munchkins happily occupied. The park is very well kept, the restrooms are very doable, and with its large size, there isn't that congested feeling you get with other locations. On top of the many perks, there is a large field to kick or throw around a few balls. The only flaw- and might I add that it is a big one- is the lack of actual shade. Your relief from the sun's powerful rays is limited to the gazebo where the benches are or using the large flower structures as a shield. 5/5 stars all in all. This is lots of fun for kids of all ages.

    Photos
    Delano Manongs Park - Play structure

    Play structure

    Delano Manongs Park - Interactive play

    Interactive play

    Delano Manongs Park - Swing and stage area

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    Swing and stage area

    Backesto Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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