Kern River Parkway facts for kids

The Kern River Parkway is a large and beautiful natural preserve located in Bakersfield, California. It follows the path of the Kern River from the start of the Kern Canyon all the way to Interstate 5. This amazing park covers about 6,000 acres, which makes it the biggest city park in the entire county! The parkway was created in 1976. This happened when the city bought all the land and things related to the Kern River from a company called Tenneco West.

What You Can Do at the Parkway

The Kern River Parkway is a fantastic place for outdoor activities! It has many different areas for people to explore and enjoy.

Trails and Paths

There are several paths and trails for you to use in the parkway:

• On the north side, you'll find a special trail just for horses. This is called an equestrian trail.
• On the south side, there's a popular jogging trail. You can also use this path for other non-motorized ways to get around, like rollerblading or scootering.
• A long bike path, called the Kern River Parkway Trail, stretches through the park. It goes from Alfred Harrell Highway in the northeast to Enos Lane in the southwest.
• Along the bike path, you'll see special call boxes. These are there for safety in case you need help.

Lakes and Other Parks

The Kern River Parkway is also home to several pretty lakes. Plus, some areas right next to or inside the parkway have been turned into more formal parks. These include:

• Beach Park
• Hart Park
• The Park at River Walk
• River Oaks Park
• Yokuts Park

These spots offer even more ways to have fun and relax outdoors!