ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND 
Location
160 University Avenue, Berkeley Marina - Marina/Southwest Berkeley
Getting There
Map of Parks
Adventure Playground is an outdoor facility at the Berkeley Marina featuring unique play experiences and staff who encourage children to play and build creatively using simple tools. Parents required to help with supervision.
Check Adventure Playground Home Page for frequently updated information about playground happenings
Features
School-age play area featuring unique low-risk “build your own playground” activities, including hammering, sawing, and painting. Creative materials available for imaginative play
Climbing, sliding and jumping on kid-designed and built forts, boats, and ropes
Designed for children seven years and older; younger children are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult
- Zip line offering exciting ride through the air for 6 years and up
Picnic area outside in shorebird Park
located next to restrooms, the shorebird park education classroom and the Strawbale visitors center in Shorebird Park.
Click the thumbnail photo to see the full size picture
Park Hours & Fee
Open Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Open 9-5pm Mon- Fri. from Mid June- Mid August for summer.
Closed weekdays from mid August to mid June and when raining.
Free to the general public. Groups of 5 or more must reserve in advance and pay a fee.
Children 7 years and older can be dropped off for up to three hours in the playground. Fill out a registration form and Pay $10.00 in the Nature center. Nature center closed on Sunday and Monday. Playment tickets available which allows you to prepay for those days the center is closed.
History
The concept for Adventure Playground originated in Europe after World War II. A playground designer studied children playing in the at-the-time “normal” asphalt and cement playgrounds. He discovered that the children actually preferred playing in the dirt and lumber of the post-war rubble. He realized that children had the most fun designing and building their own equipment and manipulating their environment. Following this concept, Berkeley’s Adventure Playground was opened in 1978.
Restroom Available outside in Shorebird Park
Parking Available
Acreage 1 acre 43,560 sq. ft.
Accessibility
Site is flat, and people in wheelchairs have been able to access the site and participate in various experiences at ground level (some challenges in sandier parts of site).New building table for wheelchair access.
For questions on park reservations, contact:
Adventure playground: adventureplayground@cityofberkeley.info
Marina Experience and adventure playground Programs Tel: 510-981-6720
For questions on park maintenance, contact:
Waterfront Unit: Matt Shogren, mshogren@cityofberkeley.info (Waterfront Telephone: 510-981-6731)
List of City Parks | Map of City Parks