JAMES KENNEY PARK

Location

1720 Eighth Street between Delaware and Virginia Streets -  Northwest Berkeley

(You can click the thumbnail photo to see the full size picture)

Getting There

Map of Parks; or check the link on The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: Parks in Berkeley Website for the park location on a Google map. 

James Kenney Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including ball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a gym, as well as tot and school-age play areas.

Features

• Baseball/softball field

• Soccer practice

• Multi-purpose turf

• Basketball (2 1/2 courts)

• Lighted tennis courts (2); practice wall available

• Volleyball court

• Tot play area featuring swings, climber, slide, accessible surfacing

• School-age play area featuring horizontal ladder, slide

• Picnic area with BBQ

• Recreation Center

• Gym

The recreation center and field are available for reservation or rental. For reservations and further information, please call the City Recreation Office at 510-981-5150.

History

The land for James Kenney Park was purchased by the City of Berkeley in 1917 for $8,000, and supplemented by a lot the City already owned. The park was named after Berkeley’s first fire chief, who was appointed in 1904 and served until his death in 1916. The park consisted of open space until 1976, when the recreation center, tennis courts, ball field, and play areas were developed. In 1977, the community approved plans to renovate the park areas and to install a picnic facility. These improvements were funded by Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Roberti-Z’berg funds, and Measure Y monies from a bond measure passed in 1974 to fund additional park development to meet the recreational needs of Berkeley’s citizens. Park users celebrated completion of these improvements at an open house held March 31, 1979. In 1983–1984, additional renovations of the park were undertaken with monies from an Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) rehabilitation grant.

Restroom Available in Recreation Center (until 10 p.m. when baseball is played)

No Off-Street Parking

Acreage

4.24 acres              184,700 sq. ft.

Accessibility
Partially wheelchair accessible; tot play area is accessible, but school-age area is not.

Park Hours

6 a.m. to 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted

For questions on park maintenance, contact:

Mobile Unit 3: Stuart K. Swanson, 510-981-6663, SSwanson@ci.berkeley.ca.us

List of City Parks | Map of City Parks