Jean Sweeney Open Space Park

Jean Sweeney Open Space Park is near my apartment, and I've been a regular visitor since it opened a number of years ago. Sometimes I walk through the park, and other times I ride my bike on the bike paths.

t's fun to go past the playground where the kids play and their parents supervise. There's a really nice, large xylophone that kids can use to compose spontaneous tunes on, along with slides and climbing structures accompanied by the joyful sounds of children at play.

The "Open Space" part of the park's name is very accurate. The views of the skies are unencumbered by houses and trees, and the cloud formations are often beautiful to observe. There are also some comfortable benches on the walking paths to sit on and relax and meditate.

This park is an all-around lovely spot for recreation, relaxation, and enjoying the beauty of nature. It's an urban oasis, one of the many beauty spots in Alameda that make our town such a special place.

This park is now rated number one on our list, it's not that far away, with many activities to do, with a climbing structure, a giant sandbox, a small gated section for the little ones, a zip line, since the gazebo area was being used for a party I wasn't able to go check things out.
I also loved that the bathrooms were right in the middle of everything and very clean. There is also plenty of grass to sit down and enjoy snacks and drinks with the young kiddos.

Great park with unique ways to have fun! Zipline, swing set, play structure for little kids, big slide, logs to walk on, and a big sand box! Bathrooms are available. It is a great space and there is free parking. I recommend bring some sand toys and a hat. Most of the play areas are not covered so on a sunny day it can be hot. There is a bicycle path so you may also want to bring scooters and bikes!

Excellent, recently built park in Alameda on an old rail line.

It has great climbing structures, a music play structure, a big slide for at least four kids to go down at once.

Little kids area and a sand lot and a zip line for the bigger kids. Picnic tables, bathrooms, easy parking. Great choice for an hour or two with the kids. No food options so make sure to bring your own snacks.

a review from @amom2kidsandapark

Jean Sweeney Open Space Park is packed with history and kid-friendly fun.
Jean Sweeney is a newer and not all the way complete open space park. The history of this park is inspiring. It was once a Railroad property about to become a housing development, but by the efforts of a local resident, Jean Sweeney, it became the beautiful park it is today. The maps said there will be a butterfly garden and a second playground but they don’t exist ... yet!

The play area has a giant hillside slide that can fit many kids at a time, a zip line, a big sandbox (don't forget your sand toys), a log path for balancing practice (or floor is lava... which ever your adventurer prefers), a large mallet instrument, an even bigger rope climbing structure, and a hammock swing. There is also an almost gated in play structure that has three slides, ladders, steps, and a snacking table. In this area, there are bucket swings (no standard swings at this park). This playground is geared more towards tots/preschoolers.

Right near this play area is a bathroom and a huge gazebo. Around the open space is a bike path (perfect for practicing bike skills) that doubles as a stroller or scooter path, grassy areas (perfect for picnics), and a future home for a butterfly garden and second playground.

On the other end of the park is a coffee shop and around the corner is another great all-abilities playground, Littlejohn Park.

This park can get very crowded especially on the weekends or school holidays.

There is a parking lot but it can fill quickly.

This is a really great park for kids of all ages. Does get crowded on the weekends when the weather is nice and can be annoying for younger kids (and parents, or maybe just me lol) when bigger kids are running wild and not being cognizant of littler kids.

The park integrates nature and play structures. Kids will be able to balance on tree logs, go down a 10 foot slide, ride a 50 foot zip line, and play on slides, swings, sand pit and a jungle gym. There are picnic tables and a nice running trail. There's plenty of parking and people can host outdoor events. Enjoy some outdoor fun in Alameda's new park.

This park is great! A wonderful park for children ages from 3 to 10yrs. The biggest attraction is the huge slide. ALL the kids play on this thru out the day. Theres a large sandbox, climbing structure, toddler swings, a zip line , a large saucer-basket like swing. It also offers a very long bike path and walking path. Worth coming to check it out.

Very Interesting playground, the big slider, four kids can slider at one time, the ropeway is very fun for the kids, you must be try. Picnic area, bike walk area.

One of the nicest parks I've visited. The environment is clean, the atmosphere is friendly and there is a lot to do for children at the play place. You can tent a picnic space that has a grill and if it's not occupied you can use it without a reservation, just make sure to look behind the tables for a posted sign as it seems to be the only place that gets any form of marking(a printed piece of paper with information pertaining to if the spot is being reserved). The bathrooms are clean also, and there is a fountain for drinking water aswll as for pets.

Love this place. Such an amazing park and trail. My kids enjoy it so much. It has a zipline, sand area, toddler/baby park, a huge slide even adults can fit on, tire swing, climbing structure, large chimes, and CLEAN BATHROOMS.

Great neighborhood park. The huge slide and Zipline are favorites. Can get very crowded on the weekends. Parking can also be an issue. Overflow parking across the street. Best to visit during the week. Restrooms available on the premises. Little tots area with play structure and swings for younger kids under 5. Nice bug sand pit with water feature, although I have not seen the water on since the parked opened. Tire swing for older kids ready to brave it. Plenty of grass space and walking/bike path. Water bottle fill station near the bathrooms.

Great bike oath that's 1.3 MI round-trip. Nice playground for elementary aged kids with climbing structures, tire swing, zip line, restrooms and a covered gazebo picnic area with built-in grills.

A newish park in Alameda with a smooth loop for skating or biking. PRO TIP: Hit a U Turn after going forward for ten minutes on the bike loop if you're with kids age 8 and under. If you don't, you may end up carrying a scooter and a child like we did. Now that we have learned, we do half the loop and then hit the zipline, giant slide, or swings. Plenty of space to play in the newly designed playgrounds. Jane Sweeny's vision for this old railyard is now one I can appreciate. There appears to be plenty of gazebo space for multiple parties with plenty of distance between. We stopped at the nearby In and Out drive thru on the way home. Everyone was happy.

Great park. Cool slide. Good sand pit with a little stream for kids to play with water and sand. Also has a small kids playground and a zip line.

Kids loved it. Has a fun zip line. very "natury" with tree stumps to jump and parkor for the kids. Very clean and well kept. The locals are very nice and friendly.

love love love this park! something for all ages and interests. so natural and safe feeling.

Fantastic playground for kids of all ages. We love the big slide!

It's awesome for kids my daughter is 5 and she love it! Is a nice playground. Recommended!

Good place for family walk and biking. It has a play structure and washrooms. There is parking lot too.