Grove Park

Grove Park provides recreational opportunities such as ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a gym, and tot and school-age play areas.

The City of Berkeley purchased options to purchase five parcels of land for $32,000 in August 1927. These were added to the City’s existing property in the block bounded by Grant, Grove, Russell, and Oregon Streets. The City signed a lease with the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) in January 1949, granting the City the right to build a recreation center on the site. The Grove Recreation Center, which cost $75,000 to build, was dedicated on September 11, 1950.

In 1963–1964, the City purchased additional land at the intersection of Russell and Grant in order to expand the park’s facilities. To fund additional park development, the City purchased another parcel from the BUSD in 1980, using Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) and Measure Y funds from the 1974 bond measure. The ball diamond was renovated in 1981, as were the basketball and volleyball courts, two play areas, and picnic facilities. The recreation center was renovated in 1982 with funds from a state park bond and an Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) grant.

The park has the following features:

• Field for basketball/softball
• Turf that serves multiple functions
• Basketball courts in their entirety (2)
• (3) lit tennis courts; no practice wall
• Court for volleyball
• Swings, a spring rider, a climber, a tube slide, and activity panels can be found in the toddler play area.
• School-age play area with swings, a climber, a horizontal ladder, and a slide.
• Grilled picnic area
• Clubhouse/recreational building
• The gym

There are 4-6 basketball hoops available, as well as one lower rim for the kids or older teens who like to dunk. When it comes to dogs, this establishment states that no dogs are allowed off leash, but it appears that this rule is rarely followed. You can tell there are dogs of all sizes and temperaments, so don’t be surprised if you or your dog is approached. When softball is not in session, the field is frequently used for pick-up soccer. The two restrooms adjacent to the basketball and tennis courts appear to be open at times but not at others, though this does not always correspond to softball league play.

These tennis courts are frequently underutilized in comparison to San Pablo Park, which is just down the street.

The lights are more than adequate and are controlled by a button and a timer. However, they trip a loud buzzer that is conveniently located at ear-level directly behind the player on the northwest corner of the courts about 10 minutes before they cut off. This is a friendly reminder to go press the button to turn on the lights.

With the remodel, it appears that a fresh coat of paint was applied because the blue and green paint, along with white trim, is on both the basketball and tennis courts and looks quite nice.

There are benches along the basketball court, as well as bicycle racks where you can lock your bike.

In the East Bay, this is such a nice sports park!