One of the best parks that I have been to in a while. Fairly clean, fairly populated, and fairly okay overall. Came here after driving awhile in the early morning to relax. I can imagine how nice it would be to have a picnic here in the summer. The winter sit was nice though. There's a tot area. There's a court. The bathroom wasn't open. I wish there was more to do though. I have seen parks with much more to offer seating wise, playground wise, and more. 4/5 read more

Tennis courts, large green space (grass), play structure and much more. A very good park. I like this park very much. Its not a 5 star exclusive type of thing - but its very clean and lawn quality is up to my standards. There is some new concrete work and some artistic concrete benches. Also they boast 'movies in the park' - had to steal that word 'boast' from all the realtors in the world. They are always boasting this and that. Boasting granite, boasting eat in kitchen, boasting big yard... do realtors not have any other vocabulary other than 'boasting?' Signs indicate new bathrooms soon to come. I like how the city of Berkeley chooses to put so much effort into this little park. read more

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Beautiful park! Full of green spaces and something for everyone. There is a small community centre which is not used and a proposed project is underway, so hopefully, that gets to be in fruition. There are tennis courts, a playground, very dog friendly, and a huge green open space. The park seems very well kept. On a nice clear day, one can enjoy the colours and the warm sun. And from a certain angle, one can see the campanile in all its glory. One can picnic, play frisbee, play catch, etc. I did not see many concrete paths or much for bikes and scooters. I enjoy the little circular crevices to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere. The mosaic water fountains are a pleasure to the eye. Everybody is welcomed here. AC Transit buses 6 and 51B are easily accessible with a short walk. Nearest BART stations I would say Downtown Berkeley and Rockridge, both serve the buses that would take you here too or walk more. GO Outside! read more

Willard Park - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Greatest park around, full of interesting people and activities. The tots playground is especially fun, relaxing, and imaginative.

Willard holds a special place in my heart. I'm so thankful for the community and friends (people and fur) I've met here. It's our favorite (and go to) dog park. I've read other comments about the unhoused, drugs, garbage etc but honestly you're going to see that everywhere if you're looking for it. When I go to Willard I see college kids playing games, families enjoying picnics, pups getting to play, people practicing guitar or tight rope or martial arts. It's truly a gathering of a community and I love it. I feel like people are super gracious with each other giving space and patience (like the time my puppy stole someone's sandal and we had to chase him around the park and the person laughed it off) if you're feeling lonely need some sunshine or to play with a pup go to Willard around 5pm any weekday. I'm sure you'll smile and get a puppy kiss read more

Willard Park - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Me and my dogs love this park! I have a lawn chair and picnic blanket that I bring along for our park adventures. I usually pick up some food and snacks along the way and enjoy them outside on a sunny day. Great place to bring the dogs out for a walk and then mama gets to chill under the sun for a bit to relax too! We love it and highly recommend it. As always pack it in and pack it out, let's keep the park clean so others can also enjoy it. read more

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Issues; sometimes the bathroom is locked (often), there's no sink in or outside the bathroom, yucky. Parking is only two hours, which isn't bad but can be a bit annoying. I like eating the Irish strawberries that grow here, and seeing the redwoods. Children play and yoga classes are held here. I think there's two tennis courts? Their water fountain is the best around; you could fill up a very tall reusable water bottle if you wanted. Open the bathrooms up though, this is the only possible public restroom downtown read more

I really like this park for various reasons. Its pretty nice and spacious for being on a corner. There were many young people around hanging out and chilling on the grass. It is surrounded by homes. The area is safe and brought good vibes when I was there. Great for pulling out a blanket, having a picnic, reading a book, practice pitching a tent, laying under a tree for some shade, bringing out a board game, flowing, walking your dog, etc. I would come back whenever I'm in the area because it was one of the nicer cleaner looking parks I've been to up here. read more

I'm a fan of Willard. It's usually where I bring my son to enjoy the tot swings as they have a pretty nice play area for babies and tots. They have 2 tennis courts and a huge open green space where you'll usually see a dog meet up or two, picnics, frisbee games and so on. They have a closed park building that I'd love to see become something the community could actually use and enjoy. Maybe one day! Overall, not the robust park offerings, but a nice enough green space! read more

Willard Park - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

These courts are one of my favorite in the area. They courts are well kept and have lights that function until 10pm. Each court is fenced off and on its own. The lights are great! They actually work properly and there are no dark shadow areas in both courts. I come here after work for the tennis courts. Never have a hard time parking. I feel like these are one of the most well-kept courts in the area. Court 1, which is the furthest from Derby street, is reservable. I highly suggest reserving ahead of time online. If you're lucky enough to snag a court, It's usually courtesy to keep the game play to one hour to make way for the next groups waiting. See ya on the court! read more

This is probably one of the most relaxing parks in Berkeley. Lots of people come out here for a variety of activities from reading a book, taking their dogs out, running around, etc. Small but nice park! read more

my son and i were in the area to buy something but since the store wasn't open yet so we decided to walk to this park. I am so glad to discover this place. It was Sunday morning so the place was pretty packed with kids and parents. Its definitely a small toddler park but it had the basics that kids would need. toys, sand, swing, slide, grass area. My son enjoyed his time here. and I'm glad he did. would love to come back again read more

Visited the park yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at how it was cleaned up. Maintained landscaping and grounds. No trash and tents next to tennis courts. No encampments. Finally, a park to enjoy some recreational sport activities. Hope it stays this way! read more

My friend had her daughter's 2nd bday party here. (I have friends who have kids that are 2?! *hyperventilate*) A great little park in Berkeley, who knew these existed? Literally, one square block in size, but big enough for multiple groups to have various functions. There are some picnic tables and a clubhouse, and a great little kids area with swings, sand, slides, and play structures (is that what they're called? i'm not very fluent in kid-lingo). Big plus: Pet friendly!! big minus: some pet owners aren't such good owners... come with plastic bags people! read more

Willard Park - Kids play area - Parks Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Love coming here! The best day would consist of coming here to stroll and watch all the dogs play with each other. Oh and throw in a little tennis. The weekends are the best if you want to watch dogs run around and chase down balls. Tons of people bring their dogs here to socialize and it is a joy to see them all having so much fun. I purposely go and sit at the bench on the grass so they'll hopefully come up to me. Tons of people come here randomly to hang out in groups, with their significant other, or just by themselves to read a book. They also have a mini playground for babies and toddlers that the dogs aren't allowed to go into. The tennis courts have lights, which is useful on busy days when it gets dark and Hearst courts are full. The 2 courts are separated, so you never have to worry about ball interference. The courts themselves are kind of worn down with some cracks, but still playable. The surface plays a bit faster than normal courts so it's easier to hit those winners =] Overall not a very big park, but in this case size doesn't matter. read more

Quality: 3 I've been here a couple times, and I usually walk by it when I'm walking to Ici. There's a large grassy area where people often sunbathe, play frisbee, have picnics, or play with their dogs. There's also a basketball court and two tennis courts, although the condition isn't the best. However, if you live on Southside and you're looking for a park to relax, it definitely beats going to People's Park. read more

One of my favorite neighborhood parks and always great for people & creature watching. Blessed with tennis courts, a children's playground, a load of grassy action, I always make sure to stop and stretch at Willard Park during my run. Whether it's passing around a frisbee or soccer ball, it happens on this lush field every day of the week. Now I try to mind my own business but find it so difficult seeing owners not bothering to mind and pick up their dog's poop. I end up having continuously scan the grass, all the while begging to get hit upside the head by a runaway ball or frisbee. And sure I love sitting on the grass, but if there are only two benches in the entire park, why bother to have any? Add more please! My two precious pennies. read more

This place is so Berkeley it's incredible. A good alternative to People's Park, which many non-homeless people fear to set foot upon. At Willard, of course there's a sprinkling of homeless people (stay away from the bathroom on the South side of the park - there's definitely some shady happenings there), but overall it is pretty wholesome and you don't get hassled by panhandlers. There are always tons of little kids here with their families and around 4-6pm there arrives a Dog Spectacle. Everyone with a mutt in Berkeley will bring them to the park and let them run around and play/hump/chase each other. It's one of the best forms of free amusement I know. The star of the show is this pug named Jellybean. His owner occasionally brings him with a soccer ball and this little dog is OBSESSED. He will stare at it until it gets kicked, then chase after it and try to balance it on his head. He dribbles it back every time and waits impatiently to do it again. So funny. This is a good place to join a soccer game, play some tennis, people/dog watch, or throw around a Frisbee. There is a very eclectic mix of students, families, dog owners, sports enthusiasts, and homeless people. It's beautiful to witness such coexistence. read more

This is a very quaint park nestled away from the busier streets of Berkeley. Many people come here with their dogs, friends, kids, guitars, and various activities. There's also a small playground and a couple tennis courts. I've seen people having picnics, playing dodgeball/football/frisbee/soccer, throwing a boomerang, jamming on a guitar, or just laying in the grass reading a book. It's a popular place to bring dogs, so I'd recommend bringing a blanket or something to sit on in case of previous urination.** There also tends to be a frequenting of people just chillin, and sometimes smoking weed. Smells disgusting, but the park is decently spacious enough to move away from the stench. On a breezy, sunny day, this park is perfect for taking a break and just lying in the grass under the generous shade provided by one of the few large Redwoods. read more

So I take my dog here. I'd really appreciate if people were aware of the fact that 5pm-7pm is when people take their dogs here. Having your picnic all laid out and then yelling at owners because the dog put his nose in your potato salad is kind of stupid. I mean, obviously he's going to come over and sniff it. Don't get me wrong, I like all of the dog owners who visit, but some of the families that hang out there are just annoying. If you don't like dogs, go somewhere else. It's really cool that they use fish oil in the fertilizers. OR at least I've hear that. As a park, this place is pretty cool. You have tennis courts, water fountains, grass, and even a closed off playground (safe!). There are no picnic benches, but it's better that way. More old school and less BBQers. You can do that at home anyway. Lately there have been a lot of hippie style people around. Usually this isn't a problem, but it does become one once they start obnoxiously chanting and throwing mushrooms around. I'd really like to avoid my dog picking one of those up. read more

I am biased because this small, beautiful park is literally a stone's throw from where I live. I love lying on the grass watching how tall the redwood trees are. I love watching the dogs playing and running around in the park. I love the little colorful abode at one end of the park where you see children making artworks and hear their laughter. I love the breeze, the sunshine, the smell and feeling of warm, dry grass. This park is full of delightful energy! This park, to me, means JOY. Simple joys in life... It's so incredibly relaxing and cozy I consider myself extremely lucky to be living next to it. Toddlers, puppies, towering redwood trees, grassy field, picnic tables, old ladies on the bench, college students kicking balls and playing frisbee... What else?! And OUTDOOR YOGA (FREE!!!). Currently, Yoga on the Bay (http://www.yogaonthebay.org/) has free outdoor yoga every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30-6:30pm and people can just bring a mat over and join in. It's actually donation-based, according to its website, but every time I walked by, I saw that yogi guy practising on his mat with a "Free Yoga" sign next to him. It's wonderful to do yoga in the open. They have sessions in MLK Civic Center Park in Downtown Berkeley too. Bring your dog here if you have one. Otherwise, just come and chill, laze around on the grass. Get some fresh air and bath in the sunlight. I love my cozy little neighborhood park! :) read more

Willard Pooch Park more like it! The park is snuggled in a Berkeley residential area but close enough to UC Berkeley campus. The landscape is clean, well-groomed & much loved by the local community. The park has a classic children play-pin, after school arts & activity center nestled on the side so the children don't overflow into picnic areas. The best part... while it's technically not a "dog park," there's a respectful, silent agreement that pet owners are responsible & mindful of doggy behavior & poop detail. It's doggy-play heaven. Green grass, wide open space for volleyball & frisbee, neighborhood folks catching up on daily gossip, young-strapping boys from campus playing tag-football, hippies playin' drums with a bellowing cloud overhead, East Bay sunshine on your face while chillaxin on a blanket drinking wine, all the while your dog can exercise & socialize without a leash and not being scrutinized by pet-less people. And it's right in the place i call home. Berkeley, your the best. read more

This is the best local park in Berkeley, hands down! I absolutely adore this spot. Perfect to lay out in the sun, bring your dog to play, play frisbee, hula hoop, have a picnic, or whatever else you enjoy doing in parks. There are some trees for shade, restrooms, a tennis court, playground, and fountains for you and your furry little companion. My dog loves coming here, everyone i've met is super nice at this park, no sketchy people, it's really wonderful. I'd highly recommend coming here with your kids, friends, family, and pets! read more

Beautiful park. Perfectly groomed grass. Nice company, most days. As others have said: who would have thought such a nice park existed a few blocks from People's? Just watch out for the dog poopies, as a lot of folks also find this park nice for their canines. read more

Great lil' park for dogs, kids, families, groups, singles, couples, frisbee throwers, people watchers, readers and lazy people that like to lay in nice sunny parks. Easy parking, usually. I'd just stay away from the bathrooms and be aware that when the sun goes down crazy, big, jumping rats come out to play on the playground. read more

My 4 and 7 year old boys love the fenced playground. The park itself has dogs without leashes. The playground is new, it was opened after the major repairs a year ago or less. It still has the "new feel" to it. read more

Basic premise: Loves it. I remember the days I would walk the long stretch of sidewalks around my Berkeley dormitory to this gentile and fascinating park... A place for playing tennis, fetch with the pup, Frisbee with the gang, chatting with the gurls, sleeping with the sun beating on my closed eye lids, relaxing in the warm autumn breezes, and cruising the cuties out for their Sunday best... Such fond memories. I enjoyed sharing this local spot with everyone! It's a great atmosphere for bonding. Quick accolade: I once went on a date. We walked all over South Berkeley and ended up lounging on the grass of Willard Park talking like school boys do. Fast forward eight months, in which we barely spoke again, he entered my apartment on Dore Alley UP YOUR ALLEY faire wearing only a leather thong and chaps. Ah, if only I'd seen that comin' when we were hanging out at the dub-ya pee. read more

I was kinda going back and forth if I should review this park or not. I haven't done much here, just kick back on the grass with my friends. I gotta say, though, it feels like it's becoming a regular hang out spot for us when I visit my friend up here in Berkeley. Great for people (and dog!) watching. Makes me wish I had a nice little park like this in my neighborhood. But yeah, if you're looking for a nice park to relax with friends on a warm spring day, this is it! read more

This is a nice place to hang out in the summer. Lay in the grass, read a book, or run around and play frisbee with your friends. Sometime's it's peaceful... There are also a lot of douche bags who like to show up and ruin your fun. Homeless people I can handle. In fact, I prefer them to the snooty ass holes who show up EVERY DAY, and stand around while their dogs play, and constantly yell at them. Your dogs are perfectly trained, theres no reason to shout. I know you like the sound of your own voice, but no one else does. Whats worse are the people who let their dogs run all over your picnic blanket, and then have the nerve to tell you you're in the wrong spot. I had a bad experience here, with someone calling me fat for no reason. I refuse to go back. But thats just me. Anyway, it beats people's park. Theres room for your kids and your dogs to play, while you get some rest, and some sunshine. read more

Willard Park is a gem. A place where friendly people of all ages and friendly dogs peacefully co-exist and share the space with respect for one another. Wonderful, responsible dog owners and their happy companions keep the place safe and clean and contribute to the joyful atmosphere. It's a true Berkeley example of inclusiveness and harmony. read more

A dog friendly park that doesn't smell like dog or human feces (see: People's Park). That miracle alone should earn Willard Park five stars. Other upsides: tennis courts, attractive loungers, flat grass for games such as hippie-ass ultimate [frisbee], clean needle-free restrooms, and expertly placed trees. All good things. This park is great for picnics, dates, taking out the pooch, or just laying out to read. If you're white, please wear sunscreen. read more

Nice and clean quiet park. Good location lots of parking space. Bent to sit down. Good place for a picnic, meet up and hang out with family and friends. read more

I'd call this the family version of People's Park. A large grass area leaves plenty of room for picnics and frisbee. There are also tennis courts and a jungle gym for the kids. It's Berkeley so there are homeless of course, but there seems to be a nice balance that allows for a sharing of the park. I have to say, though, that every time I've been there (probably half a dozen) there is some shady business going on in the bathroom. The same guy loiters out front and every once in a while goes inside with someone else and closes the gate, leaving a handkerchief on the handle. My guess is that it's some male prostitution but it could also be drugs. read more

Coolest, the most chill, and the most comfortable park I've been to in Berkeley. A far cry from the disaster that is People's Park (shudder), Willard Park has a huge green grass area, tennis courts, and local people walking their dog. And most of all, very few (if at all) homeless people. I come to play tennis here and the courts are suprisingly well maintained for a public court and the people who use them are respectful to the shared property.the courts are lighted for night use as well. Favorite park in Berkeley so far. read more

Sunday, 4:00 PM. Quickie: + Spacious + Eccentric and eclectic gathering place + Spot for different activities - Hygiene And then...? The City of Berkeley would be wise to invest more into this park. It's close to campus and accessible to a lot of residents. ********** Constructive comment: *COB should hold more (inclusive) events read more

This place is great. Lots of green space for activities. Usable bathroom and water fountains. Nice tennis courts that haven't been overcrowded when my wife and I have come to use them. read more

Nice park. Plenty of grass, trees around the perimeter, playground for kids, etc. Writing for the tennis players! There are two courts here. Currently under renovation, expected to last 75 days or more (Feb 2014, forward). I'm psyched to use them when they're ready. There's also a wall, which I appreciate, but it's not my favorite. It's really hard, so the ball bounces off FAST. Not a good wall for big groundstrokes. You can stand back the full length of a court, but that doesn't solve the problem for me; despite the pace, my ball dies on the ground bounce back (thanks to the rough asphalt pavement). It's a decent wall for exercising consistency and control. Good for serves. For groundies, I prefer the wall at the Rose Gardens...review there too. read more

We saw these courts when we were driving by and decided to come back and play on them. There are only 2 courts so if they are occupied, you'll have to wait. Fortunately there's a backboard behind the courts that you can practice on. The grounds are not the smoothest and you'll tend to have joggers or people with their dogs passing through. We were able to play on the courts after 45 minutes of waiting but it was well worth it! read more

This is a very pleasant little park. Tennis Courts, a jungle gym, and plenty of trees to shade under, or open space to spread out on. We brought along a picnic, our croquet set and the boccie ball set and had an excellent time. Some highlights of the day include.... *the random dude who took off all his clothes, except for the banana thong, reminiscent of Borat. *the 1year old child who kept stealing our cupcakes. Her Mother laughed and said "oh sorry, I just let her do whatever she wants." That's a true Berkeley Mother for you. Yeah, sure. Just let your kid steal other people's cupcakes and get a massive sugar rush. She's 1 year old. I'm SURE she'll LEARN from this experience. *the dog who also stole our cupcakes, not once, not twice but three times. His owner also kind of laughed and apologized somewhat...what is with these Berkeley people??? Don't you know that you do not ever steal other people's cupcakes or let your dog steal them without asking???? *the kid behind me in line for the bathroom. He kept saying he couldn't wait. So he just whipped it out and peed in line. Classic. read more

I lived directly across the street from here for 2 years! I absolutely loved it. What's great is that it is in a residential area next to a school so it's family friendly. A lot of Cal student groups use the space for picnics, sports days, and big group meetings. I know that student group I was a part of did! During the weekdays (when school is in session) not a lot of people frequent the party. Many neighborhoods folks come out to walk their dogs or have them run around. The dogs that are regulars are trained and do not bother people. So parents, you won't have to worry about your kids. However, in the summer, everyone comes out of hibernation to bask in the sun. You'll see tons of folks with beach towels tanning the afternoon away. There are some homeless folks or people who sleep in their vans in the park, but they really don't bother anyone. If they do, the cops do drive around the block a lot. Unfortunately, there are not maintained bathrooms. There is a single bathroom in the southeast corner near the children's center, however, it's rather dirty and I don't think it usually has toilet paper. Other amenities at the park include tennis courts (2) and basketball courts. If you're looking for a spot to do outdoor yoga, I've constantly seen groups at the park (more so in the summer). Otherwise, if you're looking for a new place to live and enjoy just walking across the street with a blanket to sit and read, this is the place for you. (I definitely miss living across the street right now since it's summer!!) read more