Humboldt Parks & Playgrounds for Kids

Community Parks & Playgrounds for Kids in Humboldt County

Community parks and playgrounds large and small are tucked into neighborhoods throughout Humboldt County. Area parks are ideal for picnicking and some provide barbecues. Others have basketball courts or jungle gym equipment. Please refer to the Activities and Recreation section for programs offered at local parks. Also, see the Parks and Campgrounds section for other day use and overnight possibilities.

Arcata

Arcata Community Forest – Adjacent to Redwood Park. Accessible via 11th or 14th streets. Public, multiple-use redwood forest. Excellent for wildlife and birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Trail maps are available from the City of Arcata.
Arcata Ball Park – 888 F St., home of the Humboldt Crabs Semi-Pro Baseball Team. Hardball/softball field, youth soccer, judo hut/community building for activities including yoga and gymnastics.
Arcata Plaza – 801 G St., grassy plaza functions as town center and hosts many of the town’s festivals. Benches, drinking fountains, bronze statue of President McKinley.
Bayside Park – On east side of Old Arcata Rd. at Anderson Ln., 4-3/4-acre community farm, undeveloped.
Bloomfield Park – 1835-1845 Zehndner Ave., features a small playground and picnic area.
Cahill Park – 1300 Stromberg Ave., this 1/3-acre open space offers a small grassy area, picnic tables and new playground.
Chevret-Vaissade Park – 1760 Felix Ave., large open space, picnic area and playground, half-court basketball.
Ennes Park – 1851 Stewart Ave., a small park with playground.
Greenview Park – 1116 Lewis Ct., features playground, picnic area, half-court basketball and a small turf area.
Larson Park – 901 Grant Ave., features covered picnic area and tennis courts (lighted for night play).
Mountain View Park – 2117 Sandra Ct., small park with picnic and barbecue area, playground and grassy area.
Pacific Union Park – Off Ribero Lane (off Spear Ave.), 4-acre open space.
Pump Stations #1 & #4 – Operated by the Water District (not city parks), 822-2918. Two parks located off West End Road feature barbecue pits, picnic tables, bathrooms, firepits and river access. Open every day from sunup to sundown.
Redwood Park – 490-199 E. Park Rd., features 26 acres of redwood trees and large grassy fields perfect for a variety of activities. Kids and parents alike will love the large playground with tot lot, restrooms, picnic and barbecue areas, full-size basketball courts and reservable recreation facilities. The park is adjacent to the Arcata Community Forest. Trail maps can be obtained from the City of Arcata. Summer Day Camps are held at Redwood Lodge. See listing under Recreation Centers in the Activities and Recreation section.
Rotary Park – 101 F St., small playground and half-court basketball.
Shay Park – 1385 Foster Ave., under development, this 5-acre park features an open space and some trails.
Skate Park – 900 Sunset Blvd., free skate park for skateboarding and rollerblading. Open to the public during daylight hours, safety equipment required. Benches and water fountain are available. Free safety equipment available. See page 84 for information.
Sports Complex Park – 321 Community Park Way. Includes a new community center with teen room and senior center, arts and crafts, 2 indoor basketball/volleyball courts for organized and free play, outdoor half-court basketball and soccer and softball fields (lit for night play).
Stewart Park – 1090 15th St., grassy area with picnic and barbecue areas, playground and half-court basketball.
Valley West Park – 1340 Hallen Dr., 3-1/2 acre open space with playground.
Vinum Park – 1450 F St., small, undeveloped open space.
Westwood Manor Park – 2175 Wisteria Way, open grassy area with playground.
Windsong Park – Janes Rd., large open grassy space with playground.

Blue Lake

Perigot Park & Blue Lake Roller Rink – Indoor roller skating rink, picnic area with barbecue pit, tables, benches and serving booth, baseball and softball field, horseback riding arena. Supervised drop-in recreation (nominal fee), rollerhockey, basketball, volleyball, pool table and weight room.
Tot Lot – 4th & I Streets, for ages 2-6.

Eureka

20-30 Park & Playground – 2605 Pine St., playground, recreation building, large open turf area, adjacent to Jacob-Haney Little League Ballfield (2605 Union St.) which has bleachers and a concessions stand.
Adorni Recreation Center – 1011 Waterfront Dr., most facilities are indoors gymnasium for basketball and more, weight room, aerobics and multi-purpose rooms but outdoors are picnic tables, open grassy areas, public dock, Sacco Amphitheater, and a paved waterfront walkway to the Samoa Bridge. Weight Room equipped with weights and cardiovascular equipment for all levels. Treadmill, lifecycles and stair climber.
Carson Park & Playground – Carson to Buhne & H to I streets, this large park features a playground with “megasaurus” play structure, picnic area, basketball court and large open multi-use field for little league, T-ball and youth soccer.
Clara May Berry Park & Playground – adjacent to Humboldt County Library Main Branch, 3rd & O streets, playground and picnic areas feature nautical theme: tot lot features a large “ship” surrounded by a blue rubber mat “ocean.” Sand-filled play area has giant starfish and sea urchin for kids to play on.
Cooper Gulch Park & Playground – 8th & Myrtle streets, large community park featuring playground and picnic area, a multi-use turf area with two softball and one soccer field, walking paths along a wooded creek, restrooms (open during games), recreation building and recycling facility.
Hammond Park & Playground – 14th & E streets, two tennis courts and playground with an assortment of equipment, small T-ball practice backstop, two basketball courts, recreation building available for rent and open grassy area.
Hartman/Kennedy Ballfields – 3555 W St., across from Sequoia Park Zoo, two well-developed softball fields, complete with bleachers, restrooms, concessions and dugouts.
Highland Park & Playground – Highland & Glen streets, four tennis courts, basketball area, tot lot, large little league w/bleachers, recreation building for rent.
Lamareaux Park – 400 Waterfront Dr., small picnic and grassy area adjacent to boat basin, was recently renovated.
Lundbar Hills Park – 4708 Frederick St., undeveloped park.
Municipal Golf Course – 4750 Fairway Dr., 18-hole public golf course.
Myrtle Grove Cemetary – Myrtle & Cousins streets, not necessarily a park, but many people use this cemetary for walking and jogging. Maintained as an historical open space.
Ross Park & Playground – 12th & M, playground, picnic area, T-ball field, basketball court, recreation building.
Sequoia Park Garden, Park & Playground, and Zoo – 3400 W St., the garden is a 1/2-acre formal flower garden, specializing in dahlias, and is best viewed from late June through September. There are also benches, gazebo, sundial and wishing well. The playground has a wide array of equipment for all ages of children, a large grassy area, picnic tables and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
The park also features walking and bicycle paths through the redwoods, duck pond and two small creeks. Sequoia Creek Trail is a paved, 3/4-mile wheelchair (and stroller) accessible trail heading west from the duck pond through the forest and meadows. For information about the Zoo, see page 74.
West Plaza Park – 901 Waterfront Drive (foot of J St.) adjacent to Adorni Center, small turf area with parking, waterfront path connects with Adorni Center’s path to Samoa Bridge.
Wharfinger Building & Marina – (1 Marina Way (Waterfront and Marina Way), Wharfinger Building, Humboldt Yacht Club, marina, free public launch ramp, docks and office open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7 days a week.

Ferndale

Fireman’s Park – To reach the park, drive to the end of Main St., cross Francis Creek then turn left into park. Large grassy open area, little league and softball fields, basketball court. Tot lot and playground were recently renovated.
Russ Park – To get to the park, take Main St. to Ocean Ave., turn left on Ocean to Grizzly Bluff Rd. then drive two miles to parking area. Hiking trails through redwood, alder and fir forest.
No facilities.

Fortuna

Newberg Park – Rohnerville and Newberg Roads, sports park with outdoor fields for hardball, softball and soccer, plus children’s playground.
Ogburn Park – Picnic table and grill in landscaped setting at Alamar and Riverwalk Drives.
Riverwalk Drive – To get to the park, take 12th St. to Riverwalk Dr. Picnic area at the River Lodge Conference Center, overlooking Eel River.
Rohner Park – Located on Park St. off Main, leisure park featuring Babe Ruth & Little League fields, rodeo arena, indoor roller rink, Rohner Recreation Hall (two rooms plus kitchen), picnic areas, tot lot and playground.
Summerville Park – Two picnic tables in a green setting. Located near the Library and the Chamber of Commerce.

Garberville

Osprey Learning Center Playground. Playground is located behind school district office. Open to the public after school hours (3:30 p.m. weekdays) and on weekends. Tennis, basketball courts, and swings.

Manila

Manila Dunes Recreation Area – Located in Manila off Highway 255 at Pacific Blvd., this coastal dunes park features sandy ocean beaches, pristine dunes and coastal forest walks. Day use free.
Manila Community Park – Located in Manila, off Highway 255 on Peninsula Drive at Lupin Ave. This bayside park features birdwatching on the bay together with active recreation opportunities including tennis, playground, basketball and overnight camping.

McKinleyville

Hammond Coastal Trail – This 2.2 mile trail stretches from the Arcata Bottoms to McKinleyville.
Hewitt Ranch Park – Access to this nature preserve is provided off Bryan Road (cross street Azalea Ave.). This 14.5 acre natural area features a forest, meadows, beautiful sloping hillsides, creeks and natural springs. A great place for a quiet walk away from it all.
Hiller Park – Located on Hiller Rd. off Central Ave., this large natural park features restrooms, a playground, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball court, a BBQ pit, picnic tables and an extensive trail network located just off the Hammond Trail. In addition, it will be the future home of the Hiller Sports Complex.
Larissa Park – Located off Reasor Road (cross street Central Ave.) on Larissa Circle, this small neighborhood park features a small playground, BBQ pit and picnic tables.
Parkside Trail – Located behind McKinleyville High School, this small trail provides a beautiful walk through a forested area along Widow White Creek and is considered part of the Midtown Trail Network.
Pierson Park – Central Ave. between Pickett and Gwin Roads, this large community park features restrooms, an extensive playground, BBQ pits, picnic tables, gazebo and horseshoe pits.
School Road Trail – This small trail is located on School Road and intersects the Hammond Trail. It also provides informal access to the Mad River.
Vista Point – Located off Hwy. 101 just north of McKinleyville, no facilities, but a great place to eat a snack, look for migrating California gray whales, otters and seals, and view Clam Beach.

Rio Dell

Eel River Access Located at the end of Davis St. River bar and swimming hole (not operated by Dept. of Public Works).
Fireman’s Park – 50 W. Center St. at Wildwood Ave., baseball field, playground.
Rio Dell Community Park – Davis St., off Hwy. 101 (head toward town), baseball field and two tennis courts. Soccer field, playground, basketball hoops at adjacent Rio Dell Elementary School.

Willow Creek

Veteran’s Park – Downtown Willow Creek, features a grassy area, a children’s playground, a barbecue pit, a picnic area and softball and little league and soccer fields.