Monday Play Group

 Berkeley Marina (Berkeley) — Dads with little kids can hang at the small playground at Shorebird Park. Dads with bigger kids may want to go to Adventure Playground (where the kids can get wood, hammers, nails, saws, and other real tools to build climbing structures and forts). There are also some rocks to climb on, shoreline to explore, and a long pier to walk down. There are grills and restrooms near the Shorebird Park Nature Center.

Shorebird Park is at 160 University Ave. The Berkeley Marina facility map (note that up is west) shows different spots of interest. Park in the lot by the Cal Sailing Club and walk west along the shoreline to Shorebird Park.

Diamond Park (Oakland) — We like the more northern (and bigger) playground next to the Dimond Recreation Center. There are some nice play structures, swings, and grass to play on, as well as a creek and a few trails to explore. The grills are a long walk away, next to the southern playground. There are restrooms in the recreation center and between the two playgrounds. 3860 Hanly Rd.

Codornices Park (Berkeley) — Codornices Park is in the North Berkeley hills. There's a nice playground, some nice grass, pretty trees, grills, restrooms, a dank echoey tunnel, and an epic concrete slide for the braver kids (and dads). We meet at the playground, which is in a valley at the northern end of the park, where the path from the sidewalk goes down to the playground. 1201 Euclid Ave.

Orinda Community Center Park (Orinda) — Also known as "Hot Moms Park". It's a nice park with several large play structures, a big grass area for running around, grills, restrooms, and also a paved trail that circles the grass for kids on bikes. (FYI, it was dubbed "Hot Moms Park" by a wife of one of the East Bay Dads, so please don't blame us dads for the moniker.) The park is just past the Orinda Community Center at 26 Orinda Way.

Terrace Park (Albany) — Jewel's Terrace Park is a small, hidden park with two play areas, a lawn area, grills, and restrooms. 1548 Terrace St. 

Codornices Park (Berkeley) — Codornices Park is in the North Berkeley hills. There's a nice playground, some nice grass, pretty trees, grills, restrooms, a dank echoey tunnel, and an epic concrete slide for the braver kids (and dads). We meet at the playground, or at the picnic tables on the creek just norht of there. 1201 Euclid Av. 

Point Richmond Park

Last week we talked about hitting up the Oakland Zoo. Let's meet at the Flamingos at 10:30. No need for fire/plates/ice chest. Be sure to pack a lunch (or buy something from the snack bar). Charlotte and I will be there!

 It's been a few weeks since we've been on the East Side. I know darn well how hellishly hot it is on this side of the tunnel, this time of year. With that in mind, I thought Hap Magee Park might be a good choice. There's a nice play structure, as well as water fountains that kids can run through. Who knows, we might attract some Danville dads.

Cheers!

Matt

PS-don't forget about the Brewing Network's Summer Brew's Fest in Concord this weekend!

Since it was rained out last time, lets go this week.  Bring celery or lettuce for the animals.

Little Farm (Berkeley) — There's a mini-farm at the aptly named Little Farm in Tilden Nature Area, as well as an Environmental Education Center (unfortunately closed Mondays) and a bunch of hiking options (everything from paved trails to epic hikes). There is a small playground and a bunch of grills around the parking lot.

Little Farm is at N 37 54.541 W 122 15.898. Go to Canon Dr & Wildcat Canyon Rd, then head into the park down Canon Dr, following the signs to Little Farm (you'll turn left at the end of Canon Dr, then follow that road to the parking lot at the end).