Oh, this little park. If you hail from anything other than the micro-local (like you live within 5 miles), it’s possible you have never heard of this park. And yet, it’s a perfect place to come hiking and outdoorsing with children. Kennedy Grove is off San Pablo Dam Rd, between Richmond and Orinda, with just a small sign to let you know it’s there.

Kennedy Grove has a large lawn with a very beginner-biking-friendly paved path that runs around it. It is currently a favorite with our training-wheeled biker– and it’s small enough that you can see your biker the whole way around the loop. This allows for a feeling of independence while you can relax as a parent, able to watch your child’s progress.

Kennedy Grove also has good loop hiking trails. The easier loop starts on the playground side of the grove. If you find the Kennedy Creek trail, you can take the Black Oak trail to a shaded picnic table about 0.5 miles up the trail. The Black Oak trail loops around and back to the Kennedy Creek trail. For a trail that is also short but a bit more challenging, either of the Sea Foam (Upper or Lower) trails lead up to a beautiful view of the San Pablo Reservoir.

None of these trails will get you much more than 2 miles for a loop, making them a perfect option for those with shorter legs. However, a good day for the 4-7 set can be made at Kennedy Grove with a short hike, time on the playground, and some biking time. There are multiple picnic tables, making it a perfect place to bring a picnic or BBQ.

On the weekends, Kennedy Grove is a favorite for big family gatherings, but during the week, you might not see anyone else on the trails!

Dog-friendly! Off-leash out of the picnic area, on-leash in the picnic area. $5 entry fee on the weekends (cash only).

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