With the beautiful natural landscapes and temperate weather, it\’s easy to enjoy the parks in Livermore. But the Livermore Area Parks Department has kicked it up a notch, really providing some amazing parks in Livermore for everyone from pet-owners to naturalists.
Here are 5 reasons why the parks in Livermore are sensational…
1) Dog Parks
If you have some canine family members, there are seven–count em, seven!–parks in Livermore for dogs. Let your pooch off leash and work on some new tricks, play catch, or simply let Fido stretch his legs.
2) Open Space Parks in Livermore
Naturalists will adore the parks in Livemore dedicated to open space. In these parks, you can take walks with family, jog, ride horses, bike or picnic, all in a pristine natural setting. You\’ll be surrounded by wildflowers in the spring, enjoy the rush of streams, observe birds in their natural habitats, and so much more.
Brushy Peak
Brushy Peak open space park has drawn people to its slopes for hundreds of years. It is considered a sacred place by Native American people. Brushy Peak guided tours–the only way to see the park, in order to protect it–will take you to the top of the peak, where you will look out across the Central Valley toward the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Several endangered and threatened species call Brushy Peak home, including red-legged frogs, California tiger salamander and two species of fairy shrimp. You may even see golden eagles, horned larks, ground squirrels, fence lizards and coyotes.
3) Aquatic Centers
Parks in Livermore include two aquatic centers. The Robert Livermore Community Center aquatic area spans 45,000 square feet. The huge pool is available for lap and recreational swimming, lessons, water polo, exercise classes and even kayaking courses. The Center’s zero-depth-entry activity pool has an interactive play structure with waterfalls and water cannons. The pool also includes a 22-foot-long spiral water slide.
The May Nissen Swim Center features an eight-lane lap pool and a shallow water wading pool. The Swim Center is open seasonally for recreational swimming and swim lessons.
4) Skateboard & Bike Park
Skate and bike enthusiasts will love the Sunken Gardens Neighborhood Park, located east end of Pacific Avenue. The 11,000-square-foot concrete structure was designed with the help of Livermore skateboard enthusiasts, adults, neighbors, Livermore Police and the City of Livermore, by Santa Cruz Architect Zachary Wormhoudt with construction by A.J. Vasconi General Engineering.
The LARPD offers a complete list and map of parks in Livermore on its website. http://www.larpd.org/parks/matrix.pdf
5) Activities in the Parks
You can check the LARPD website for upcoming programs, but here are two examples of the kids of activities you can enjoy in the parks in Livermore:
Nature Stories in the Park
Sunday, Jan. 24, 1pm
The Livermore Public Library and the LARPD Rangers have teamed up for another special nature program. The January nature-themed story time with Ranger Claire Girling will feature stories about mammals. After the stories, there will be real animal furs and skulls for families to examine with a ranger.
Mega-Fauna of the Ice Age
Saturday, Jan. 30, 1pm
This get-together will focus on some of the beasts that used to roam the prehistoric North American landscape with Ranger Doug Sousa.
Place yourself in the heart of the Livermore Valley with a stay at The Purple Orchid!