César Chávez Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids César Chávez Park |
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Type | Urban park |
Location | Berkeley, California |
Area | 90 acres (36.42 ha) |
Created | 1997 |
Operated by | City of Berkeley, California |
Open | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
Status | Open year round |
César Chávez Park is a large city park in Berkeley, California. It covers about 90 acres and is named after César Chávez, a famous union leader. You can find it on a small piece of land (a peninsula) on the north side of the Berkeley Marina. It's right next to Eastshore State Park in the San Francisco Bay.
Because of its spot in the San Francisco Bay, the park gives you amazing views. You can see the city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, and the hills of the East Bay. The park has wide-open grassy hills. These hills are super popular for flying kites! There are also paved paths all around the park. You'll find picnic tables and barbecue grills for everyone to use.
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Fun Things to Do at César Chávez Park
- Open Grassy Areas: These are great for flying kites or playing games like "Frisbee". There aren't any official sports fields, but there's plenty of space.
- Hiking Trails: You can walk or hike on trails throughout the park. The Dorothy Stegmann trail goes all the way around the park. It's about 1.25 miles long and is easy to use for wheelchairs too.
- Off-Leash Dog Area: There's a special 17-acre area where dogs can run around without a leash.
- Picnic Spots: You'll find picnic tables with BBQ grills. Some are set up for big groups.
- Solar Calendar: This is a cool spot that tracks the sun's movements.
- Wildlife Sanctuary: The park is also a safe place for different kinds of animals and birds.
How César Chávez Park Was Made
This park has an interesting past! It started as a landfill in 1957. A landfill is a place where trash is buried. Walls called dikes were built to hold the city's waste. In 1969, the city decided this area should be used for outdoor fun.
By 1991, the city completely sealed off the landfill. The park opened soon after, first called North Waterfront Park. In 1996, the park was renamed. It became César Chávez Park, honoring César Chávez. He was a very important union leader and started the United Farm Workers of America.
Popular Activities at the Park
People love to do many things here. You can launch model rockets, fly kites, or even fly drones and model airplanes. It's a great place for picnicking, walking your dog, jogging, and just going for a walk. Even though the park is on a peninsula, you can't get into the water. There are no beaches or steps down to the bay.
Special Events
- Solstice and Equinox Celebrations: These events happen four times a year. They celebrate the longest and shortest days, and when day and night are equal. These celebrations include both science and cultural traditions. Many holidays around the world are based on the sun and moon cycles.
- Fourth of July Fireworks: While most of the big Fourth of July party is elsewhere, many people come to César Chávez Park. They gather on the hills to watch the amazing fireworks show.
- Berkeley Kite Festival: This is a huge yearly event! It happens on the last weekend of July. Hundreds of kites of all shapes and sizes fill the sky. Both amateur and professional kite flyers show off their skills. Thousands of people come to watch, so parking can be tricky!