Kennedy Grove

Kennedy Grove Turf Meadow pictured above.
website: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/kennedy 

KENNEDY GROVE...

Is a beautiful place consisting of 100 year-old eucalyptus trees that were planted in 1910. The park was dedicated to the late President John F. Kennedy in 1967.

Run by the East Bay Regional Park District, the park is located at the North end of the San Pablo Reservoir and just East of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park/Tilden Park, off San Pablo Dam Road near El Sobrante.  The park entrance is about 0.25 miles south of the intersection with Castro Ranch Road.  This month up until February the park is open 8:30am to 4:30pm. Dogs are admitted (on a leash) for a $2 fee.


One of the many picnic areas.



Playground

Kennedy Grove is a prime location for family picnics.  In 1886 there were scheduled railroad stops of the California Nevada Railroad at Frenchman's Curve and Laurel Grove Station. There are many picnic areas (with tables and grills) in the Grove named for some of the historic railroad stops that existed in the area when there was a railroad running from Oakland to Orinda.  While picnicking, you can also enjoy many other amenities like the childrens' playground, the turf meadow open space in the middle for running, frisbee, or ball, and the horseshoe courts and volleyball nets set up with rental equipment available for a fee. 

Fern Cottage

The open air Amphitheater is a great option for hosting outdoor events with an audience, and Fern Cottage is available for indoor corporate events or weddings and accommodates about 100 people, with a nicely landscaped back yard and catering available. 

There are many hiking/running, biking, and horseback riding trails surrounding the park, with outlook benches when you are ready to take a rest.  There is a map on the website with details on the trails: Black Oak, Sea Foam, Kennedy Creek, and Laurel Loop trails are the main trails of the park. 

I highly recommend this beautiful park - enjoy!