Aquatic Park Water Quality: Testing shows that water quality is in yellow advisory due to exceedances per the State standards as of October 22, 2026.

Staff collect bacterial samples each week, usually on Tuesday mornings. We will update this notice if water quality changes.

Aquatic Park

Wide view of Aquatic Park lagoon at dusk, with soft blue and pink clouds over the water and tree-lined shoreline.
Address: 80 Bolivar Dr Berkeley, CA 94710
Open in map
Size: 32.76 land acres | 1,427,000 sq. ft. | 67.7 water acres (Aquatic Park Lake)
Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM (unless otherwise indicated)

Renting This Park

You can reserve a facility and/or sports field at this park. Learn how to rent a picnic area, community center, wedding area, or other facility. Learn how to reserve a time slot at a sports field or court.

Aquatic Park features a large lagoon for boating, as well as walking and biking trails, reservable picnic areas, and disc golf.

Features

  • Biking Trail
  • Boat Access
  • Lawn
  • Off-street Parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Restroom
  • School-age Play Area
  • Tot Play Area
  • Walking Trails
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Sports Fields

  • Disc Golf

Aquatic Park blends tree-lined paths, a mile-long lagoon, and a large playground to create a peaceful destination for play, exercise, and nature observation. Families, walkers, bikers, rowers, picnickers, disc golfers, and birders all make use of this 100-acre park. Swimming and fishing are not allowed.   

People walking dogs, biking, and strolling along a tree-shaded path beside the water at Aquatic Park.

A 2.3-mile accessible loop trail winds through the park, where visitors may see birthday parties at the playground, and volunteers from the Berkeley Animal Shelter walking dogs, or herons nesting in the wetlands. 

On the east side, disc golfers practice their throws, and visitors find quiet areas to sit, picnic, or watch the sunset. To the south, Dreamland Playground invites children to explore wooden castles, slides, and bridges nestled among trees. 

Use the pedestrian bridge to cross over I-80 to get to McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, Brickyard Cove, and the Bay Trail as well as César Chávez Park and the rest of the Berkeley Marina. 

Dreamland Playground 

Wooden playground with green slide and tree overhead

Dreamland, on the east side of Aquatic Park, invites children into a world of exploration and activity. Nestled among trees overlooking the lagoon, you’ll see wooden castles, towers, bridges, slides, and swings to encourage physical play. The layout allows kids to explore, climb, and weave through tunnels, lookout towers, and winding paths. 

A low fence surrounds most of the play area, helping define the space while keeping it open and accessible. The main entrance remains open, allowing easy access for families and caregivers. 

With nearby freight and passenger trains passing throughout the day, Dreamland combines nature with an urban atmosphere, creating an ideal setting for games and activities. 

water quality

The lagoon mixes tidal water from San Francisco Bay and stormwater runoff. As all bodies of water contain microscopic organisms, the lagoon is monitored weekly for Enterococcus bacteria, an indicator for possible presence of human health risks. When bacteria levels exceed state health standards, advisory signs are posted at a variety of locations around the lagoon.  

While paddling and rowing are allowed, swimming, bathing, and fishing are prohibited at all times.