Fenced-In Parks for Tots
Parks for toddlers on the run - these have fences enclosing the playground.
Campbell
Campbell
Corner of Campbell Ave and Gilman Ave, right off of the Campbell exit of the 17.
No shade.
There's a water tap and trough in the sand area
Always lots of people in the general park
Connects to the Los Gatos Creek trail.
Jack Fisher Park
Near 85 and 17 junction
Semi-enclosed, but a wonderful, clean park in a quiet neighborhood.
Kids will love the grassy knoll. All playstructures are on sand. Can
be busy with moms' groups. A very pretty park.
Water feature - small sprinkler "tunnel" - in the middle of the playground.
Also a long trough with a faucet in the sand pit.
Virginia
460 Virginia Ave near Budd and San Tomas Expy
Very little shade. Drinking fountain is almost always flooded, yuck.
There is a water tap at the sand pit so watch out!
Parking is on the street in the neighborhood.
Cupertino
Creekside
10455 Miller Avenue - close to Wolfe and Stevens Creek.
There are two playgrounds here - one for big kids and one enclosed for toddlers. The toddler area is ALWAYS SHADY with the exception of a few of the swings, which can get sun during summer afternoons.
Parking on weekends can get crowded as this is a popular place for soccer games.
Bathrooms and parking lot are far from the toddler playground.
Wilson
19980 Rodrigues Ave - close to Wolfe and Stevens Creek.
Two playgrounds - one for big kids, the other is fenced in for toddlers. This area is always in the sun except for summer evenings after 6ish. Also very sandy so it can be slippery.
Adjacent field is great for flying kites as has few trees and isn't used for soccer or any other sports.
Los Altos
Shoup Park
Near Foothill Expy and Cuesta
Enclosed by trees. Nice and shady, little creek nearby. Pretty park.
Los Gatos
Oak Meadow Park
This is a semi-enclosed park adjacent to Vasona park. There's a retired
fire engine and a plane.
The play structure is good for confident climbers as it has the steepest and
tallest slides I've ever seen...think three levels high.
Mostly shady, although the fire engine is always in the sun, I think.
Just down the path away from Blossom Hill Rd is the Carousel and the Steam
Train, not to be missed!
Milpitas
Al Augustine Park
As far as I know, its only street parking (maybe theres a lot on the other side, but I didnt venture that far).
There's plenty of grass and trees to provide shady spots, as well as a larger play structure for older kids.
Mountain View
Fairmont Park
Corner of Bush and Fairmont St near Downtown
can park on the street or at the undercover parking downtown if
shopping / cafe-ing around there and then walk over.
nice neighborhood.
Park play equipment is small (only the size for the
little kids,- but I guess a plus then don't have to worry about her
falling too far plus swings and sand and then a grassy area with
loads of treets- it is a very small park but the big plus is very
shady so great in summer and has a fence all the way around -
although my daughter can work the gate so I sometimes just stand
there guarding the gate and then she lets loose - especially if the
neighbors come with their doggies - the best is this friendly whippet
- she gets a real workout!
Palo Alto
Rinconada Park
Embarcadero and Middlefield
The playground just outside the museum is for older kids.
Across the park you will find the enclosed toddler area.
The museum is a large room with some different
activities to do. The zoo is small but VERY well kept...
It is FREE. They have a donation box and recommend $2.00 but no pressure. It
is well worth $2.00! No parking fee either.
San Jose
Arena Green
Downtown SJ near the Arena
Semi-enclosed. Not a personal favorite due to the homeless people.
Kids might enjoy the carousel. Has great potential!
Parking for the Carousel is available on Autumn Street. Free parking is also available in Lot D on the southwest corner of Santa Clara and Autumn streets when it is not being used for Arena events.
Bramhall Park
Willow near Meridian in Willow Glen
Fully enclosed, but a little grimy. But if that doesn't bug you, it's
a sweet little park. Quite shady.
Hamann Park
Central and Westfield, north of Hamilton Ave near Hwy17
Hathaway Park
West San Jose a couple blocks off of Hamilton at Columbo and Vallejo
Hester Park
Fully enclosed, adjacent to the Rose Garden library on Naglee
Shady, but can be dirty and is a teen hang out. Library is fun,
though! If you go, go when the teens are in class.
River Glen Park
Bird & Pine, between Lincoln & 87
Enclosed toddler area with a play structure and toddler swings.
Large enclosed sand area.
Large play structure (not enclosed) with regular swings.
Benches scattered throughout the park with shady areas.
Rose Garden
Near Naglee and Bascom
Semi-enclosed, beautiful park. No pets or organized sports allowed so
no worries about doggie poop or errant baseballs. No playstructure,
but a great place to let the kids roam free. Just watch them by the
fountain.
San Tomas Park
Finian/Valerie near Campbell
Semi-enclosed, but safe enough.
Jake's playlot
Camden in Almaden
Fully enclosed. Very cute! Also, not a lot of shade in the summer.
Street parking. Water feature, climbing wall, older kids' play
structure adjacent to tot lot. Clean. Another favorite of moms'
groups.
Lincoln Glen park
Radio and Curtner in Willow Glen
The best enclosed park! Everything toddler-sized. No mature trees, so
a hot place in summer. Great parking. Seems to be one of the few SJ
parks that is clean. A great, first park for those who fear being out
with an unrestrained child! A moms' groups favorite.
Greystone park
Camden and Almaden Expy in Almaden
Semi-enclosed but it's easy to watch kids there. Nice and shady in
summer. Long playstructure.
Santa Clara
Everett Alvarez Jr. Park
Los Padres Blvd/btwn Saratoga and Pruneridge
Semi-enclosed by a fence and then by a sloping hill and a quiet
neighborhood. No busy street. This is my new favorite park. Very
clean! Lots of moms' groups. No busy streets. Long, low ramp on
playstruture. Benches and grassy area.
Sunnyvale
Ortega
636 Harrow Way - close to Homestead and Wolfe
No shade in summer. Fully enclosed. Water feature, climbing
wall, older kids' play structure adjacent to tot lot.
Raynor Park
On Inverness, between Wolfe and Lawrence Expy
not sure about this one - could use more details!
Washington
Near Evelyn and Mary
Minimal Shade