Pleasanton's Parks Offer a Host of Outdoor Hiking and Recreation Opportunities

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

If Pleasanton is truly "all the name implies," as one city slogan states, certainly one of the things that makes it so are its abundant parklands.

From neighborhood parks to top-notch sports facilities and wilderness hikes to regional parks, Pleasanton has a rich variety of outdoor experiences just beyond the front door.

Community Parks

As shown on our printable Pleasanton parks map, Pleasanton has nearly 40 community parks throughout the city. Nearly all of them offer grassy areas for play or picnics, and most offer picnic tables, children's play areas, and basketball courts.

The number of neighborhood parks is growing, too. Opening in mid-September is Creekside Park, a 6.6 acre park located in Hacienda and accessible from West Las Positas Boulevard. With ample turf for soccer, football, or baseball and volleyball and basketball courts, Creekside will make a great lunchtime destination for park employees and residents interested in a bit of outdoor recreation. There are picnic tables with a grill as well.

Also opening soon is Owens Plaza Park, a three acre park with a tot lot, picnic tables, and a small gazebo. Located at the intersection of Owens and Rosewood drives, this park is designed for passive uses.

The two new parks are connected by the existing Linear Park, located off Hacienda Drive between Owens and Gibraltar drives. The Linear Park, a private park for Hacienda tenants and residents, also offers a tot lot and basketball and tennis courts.

Sports and Recreation Parks

Perhaps the most impressive of Pleasanton's parks, however, are its sports and recreation-oriented facilities.

The Pleasanton Sports Park, for example, has very few equals in the state. The 103-acre park has nearly 20 softball diamonds for business and municipal leagues, soccer fields, and even a great track for rollerblading around the park's perimeter. The Sports Park is located at 5800 Parkside Drive, just off Hopyard Road and only steps from Hacienda. Call (925) 484-8335 for league sports information.

Another great feature is the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center, 4455 Black Avenue. The center offers four heated pools including a large, shallow pool; a diving pool with both one and three meter springboards; a 25-meter, eight-lane racing pool; and a 50 meter by 25 yard competitive pool. Open swim times are available, as are organized water exercise programs and aqua aerobics. Call (925) 484-8171 for information.

For fun on the dry side, the Tennis and Community Park at Hopyard Road and Valley Avenue offers 10 lighted courts, all open to the public. The courts are open from 9:00 am each day, weather permitting, and are frequently open on a drop-in basis. Reservations are suggested, however. Call (925) 484-8180 for information.

Regional Parks

For those seeking an opportunity to commune with nature, Pleasanton has that covered, too.

The 237 acre Augustin Bernal Park, located in the southwest corner of the city near Castlewood Country Club, offers many miles of hiking trails, some with spectacular views of the Tri-Valley Area.

Immediately adjacent to Bernal Park is the Pleasanton Ridge Park, an East Bay Regional Park District property. Pleasanton Ridge consists of 3,163 acres of multi-purpose trails for hikers, horses, and mountain bikes. Entered via Foothill Road, the park provides canyon views, ridgetop vistas, and access to remote, deep-canyon streams.

Also nearby is Shadow Cliffs, just a mile from downtown Pleasanton on Stanley Boulevard. Once a gravel quarry, the EBRPD has developed the site into a 296-acre park including an 80-acre lake as well as a four-flume waterslide. Fishing is a popular activity at the park and bait and tackle are available. Rowboats, electric motorboats, and paddle boats are available for rental.

Coming Soon

Both the EBRPD and the City of Pleasanton have plans for continuing the Iron Horse Trail through town.

The trail, which follows the old Southern Pacific Railroad route, has already been developed between the cities of Concord and San Ramon. When finished, the trail will travel between Shadow Cliffs at the south to Suisun Bay at the north, spanning a distance of 33 miles.

According to the City's Community Trails Master Plan, the Iron Horse Trail will travel through both Hacienda and downtown Pleasanton.

From hiking to boating to activities for children, Pleasanton's parks are without compare.

Also in this issue...