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Alameda County Recreational Programs

East Bay Regional Park District 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605, 510-635-0135.

East Bay Regional Park District manages over 95,000 acres in Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, including 65 regional parks, recreation areas, wilderness, shorelines, preserves and land bank areas. Facilities include 29 regional inter-park trails, 11 freshwater swimming areas, boating and/or stocked fishing lakes and lagoons and a handicapped-accessible swimming pool, 40 fishing docks; 3 bay fishing piers, 235 family campsites; youth camping areas, 2 golf courses, 9 interpretive & education centers, and 18 children's play areas. The district offers numerous facilities for family and group picnics. 90 percent of the District's lands are protected and operated as natural parklands. Classes and activities are available for all ages, including swimming, summer day camps for children, horseback riding, and camping. Facilities are located in Alameda, Antioch, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Clayton, Crockett, Danville, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Oakland, Pleasanton, Richmond, San Leandro, San Ramon, Sunol, and Walnut Creek.

Oakland Parks & Recreation 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 3330, Oakland CA 946125, 510-238-3092

The Oakland Parks & Recreation Department operates nearly 100 parks throughout the city. Lakeside Park features 155-acre, 3.4 mile circumference Lake Merritt, which contains five bird islands that serve as the oldest Wildlife Refuge in Northern America, as well as Edoff Memorial Bandstand and paved trails for jogging and biking. Attractions and features within, adjacent to and near Lakeside Park include Bonsai Garden, Lakeside Demonstration Gardens, 10-acre Children's Fairyland Park, Edoff Memorial Garden Center, Japanese Garden (510-523-0954), Junior Center of Arts & Science (558 Bellevue Ave, 510-839-5777), Lake Merritt Boating Center, Lake Merritt Sailboat House, Rotary Nature Center, and Sally Rutherford Thales Memorial Fountain. Nearby Snow Park features a mini-golf course and putting green, the Cleveland Cascades, suitable for walking and jogging, and Athol Tennis Courts. The Lakeside Lawn Bowling Club (510-625-9937) uses the outdoor lawns for Lawn Bowling. 500-acre Joaquin Miller Park features trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Woodminster Amphitheatre, the site of summer musicals, is located here, along with Sequoia Arena, which hosts horse shows and offers a number of youth programs. The area is extensively forested, including Monterey Pine, Monterey Cypress, Olive, Eucalyptus and possibly the only Redwood forest to exist now in an urban setting. Other amenities at the park include a Community Center & Ranger Station, Historical Landmarks and Monuments (Abbey Browning Monument, Fremont Monument, Moses Monument, Funeral Pyre, Statue of Joaquin Miller on Horseback), Woodminster Cascades, and a playground, built in 2003. Hardy Dog Park is a 2.16 acre enclosed, fenced, off-leash dog park at Hardy St & Claremont Ave. A variety of recreational classes and programs for all ages are offered. Adult programs include Fitness, Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, Karate, Tennis, Dance (Afro-Haitian, Line), Guitar, Theater, Boating Basics, and Community Gardens. Children/youth programs include before and/or after-school care & recreation for elementary and/or middle school age students, sports, fitness, dance, karate, computer, cooking, and arts & crafts classes, drama workshops, a pre-school Parent Co-Op Program, preschool classes, teen clubs, and school break/summer camps. A weekly after-school assistance program for ages 6-14 meets at Carmen Flores Recreation Center. The Dimond, FM Smith, and Ira Jenkins Parks are open from Monday-Saturday, hours vary between them. FM Smith Park is also open from 1:00-3:00 PM on Sunday. Recreation Centers that host classes and activities are Golden Gate, Ira Jinkins, Lincoln Square, Poplar, Mosswood, Montclair, Redwood Heights, Arroyo Viejo, Sheffield Village, Brookdale, Bushrod, Franklin, Allendale, deFremery and Tassafaronga. Lakeside Park Garden Center hosts seasonal school break camps for elementary school children. Tennis classes meet at Davie Tennis Stadium and Jack London Aquatic Center offers swimming and boating activities. Several community gardens (Bella Vista, Bushrod, Golden Gate, Temescal, Marston Campbell) are available for adults to sign up for a space. Studio One Art Center hosts a number of arts classes for teens and adults, as well as a holiday art camp for elementary school students. Special events include the Circle K Children's Resource Fair and Youth Cross Country - Run for Fun.

Alameda Parks & Recreation 1327 Oak St, Alameda CA 94501, 510-747-7429

Recreational facilities in Alameda include 16 parks and several sports field areas, which collectively feature Play Lots, Picnic Areas, Baseball & Softball Fields, Soccer & Football Fields, Basketball, Tennis & Volleyball Courts, Shuffleboard & Bocce Ball Courts, and Horseshoe Pits (Washington Park only). 9 of the parks have a recreation building and 3 (Leydecker, Lincoln, Woodstock) are recreation centers. Other facilities include 2 boat ramps, Osborne Model Airplane field, Meyer's House & Garden, and 2 dog parks, one of which has an area for little dogs; and a skate park, which features a ramp. Tillman Park offers a gazebo, Lincoln Park features a handball court and rose garden, and Jackson Park has a bandstand. The recreation department offers classes and programs for all ages. Godfrey, Harrison, Leydecker, Littlejohn, McKinley, and Woodstock Centers host preschool programs (Tiny Tots and Small Frys) for ages 3-5, meeting from 9 AM-Noon on TTH or MWF (separate sessions for 3 year olds and 4-5 year olds). Wee Play is a drop-in play center program for infants and toddlers that meet at the Veteran's Building 2203 Central Ave. Elementary school children can participate in the Recreation After-School Program (RAP), which meets at local grade schools. Holiday break camps are also offered for children in grades K-5 at Harrison Recreation Center, Lincoln Park, 1450 High St. Club Underground Teens, which meets in room 179 at the Veteran's Building 2203 Central Ave, offers activities and programs for youth in grades 6-12. The center is open after-school from 3-6 PM for middle school students, with transportation provided. Children/Youth sports programs include basketball at Alameda Point Gym, soccer (Kidz Love Soccer) and tennis. Adult sports programs include softball, football & basketball leagues, golf, and tennis. Other adult classes include instrumental music (guitar, piano, Taiko drumming), dance (ballroom, hula, salsa/merengue/Cha-Cha, belly, Tahitian, Hip-Hop), fitness (Body Tune-Up, Combo Aerobics, Firming & Stretching, Glutes & Thighs, Yoga, Latin Cardio, Jazzercise, Aikido), arts & crafts (Painting Workshop, Matting & Framing, Earring Workshop), and special interest (Women's Hiking, Bonsai Classes, Parent Effectiveness Training, Hidden Hawaii Revealed ,Bridge Lesson, Power of Communication). Encinal Swim Center, 230 Central Ave, and Emma Hood Swim Center, 2256 Alameda Ave, offer a variety of aquatic programs & classes. High School Students and Adults with special needs can participate in the Leisure Club, a social recreation program offering recreational activities such as dances, games, cooking, sports and seasonal field trips, which meets at Harrison Recreation Center on various Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Transportation may be arranged to and from the programs for Alameda residents. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave, 510-747-7500, houses a variety of health, education and recreation programs & services for individuals ages 50 & over.

Berkeley Parks & Recreation 2180 Milvia St, 3rd FL, Berkeley CA 94704, 510-981-6700

Recreational facilities in Berkeley include nearly 3 dozen parks, including several designed or best suited for rock climbing, 8 mini-parks, 7 school parks (operated in conjunction with the school district), and 3 tot-lots. The parks collectively feature picnic areas, hiking/biking trails, athletic fields (baseball, softball, soccer), tennis, basketball and volleyball courts (some lighted), water sports facilities and areas, grassy areas, and school age and tot play areas. Adventure Playground, 162 University Ave at the Berkeley Marina, features a school-age play area with low-risk “build your own playground” activities, including hammering, sawing, and painting. The playground offers a large hanging tire “jungle gym”, kid-designed and built forts, boats, and towers, and a picnic area. Aquatic Park, 80 Bolivar Dr, features a unique tot and school-age playground called "Dream Land for Kids," which was designed by Robert Leather in collaboration with Berkeley school children and offers extensive wooden castles, walkways, and other structures. Berkeley Rose Garden, built in the 1930s as a WPA project, features 3,000 rose bushes, representing 250 varieties of roses, planted in an amphitheatre of six stone terraces; a huge redwood pergola tree supporting climbing roses, and an ornamental pool fed by Codornices Creek. Several parks (Live Oak, 1301 Shattuck Ave, 510-981-6690; Kenney, 1720 8th St, 510-981-6650; Albrier, 2800 Park St, 510-981-6640; Willard Park Clubhouse, 2720 Hillegass St, 510-981-6730) house a recreation center or building, which host indoor classes and activities, such as open gym, arts & crafts, dance, fitness, karate, open computer lab, and Spanish lessons. Outdoor classes and activities include adult and youth sports leagues and classes. The city's 3 swim centers (Willard, 2701 Telegraph, 510-644-8519; King, 2100 Browning, 510-644-8518; West Campus, 510-644-8520) offer lessons for all ages, as well as open swim and other activities. Berkeley High Warm Pool, 2246 Milvia St, 510-644-6843, lends itself to therapeutic swimming. Special programs in Berkeley include Bay Area Outreach & Recreation programs for people with physical challenges, 510-849-4663; Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative 510-883-9096; Tinkers Workshop, 510-644-2577; Berkeley Youth Alternatives, 510-845-9010; and Young Adult Project at the Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St, 510-981-6670.

Other Recreation Programs: Berkeley/Albany YMCA 921 Kains Ave Albany CA 94706 510-525-1130

Fremont Parks & Recreation 3300 Capitol Ave, Building B, Fremont CA 94537, 510-494-4300

Recreational facilities in Fremont include a number of parks of various sizes, numerous picnic areas, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, and softball and soccer fields. The city's Central Park focuses on sports, with a softball complex featuring 6 tournament ready ball fields, a 10-field soccer complex that hosts community youth groups, and an 18-court tennis center featuring a pro-shop and offering lessons and league play. Central Park also houses Lake Elizabeth, which offers fishing, boat rentals, a boat launch, a 1 1/2 mile exercise course and a 2-mile trail around the lake; a dog park and a skate park. Free field trips are available to Stivers Lagoon.

Ardenwood Historic Farm & Patterson House features a Blacksmith shop and offers house tours during the summer, as well as naturalist programs. Ardenwood farm is open Tuesday-Sunday during the winter. Fremont Park Golf Course (privately run), located at 39751 Stevenson Place, 510-790-1919, offers play for golfers of all ability levels. Fremont Pool, 42400 Blacow Rd and Newark Pool, 37400 Cedar Blvd, are both run by the Fremont Swim School and offer indoor swimming lessons for beginning-intermediate level swimmers. Other youth recreational programs in Fremont include dance (which also has classes for women) and gymnastics, 510-494-4320 for info. During the summer, children and youth can participate in the summer camps or summer playgrounds programs. The camps are varied in focus, ranging from science to sports to arts & crafts. The playgrounds program has 16 locations throughout Fremont.

Hayward Area Recreation & Park District 1099 'E' St, Hayward CA 94541 510-881-6700

The Hayward Area Recreation & Park District is an independent special use district providing park and recreation services for residents of the City of Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and the unincorporated Ashland, Cherryland and Fairview districts. The Park District maintains over 100 facilities and parks, and provides hundreds of educational and recreational classes and programs for all ages. The parks collectively feature sports fields, picnic and barbecue sites, children's play areas, tennis, basketball, handball and volleyball courts (some lighted), and horseshoe pits. District facilities include several community centers, two of which provide programs for older adults (Hayward Senior Center and Kenneth C. Aitken Senior and Community Center). Castro Valley Community Center, Aitken Senior & Community Center, San Felipe Community Center, San Lorenzo Park Recreation Center and Weekes Community Center collectively host a number of classes, including adult fitness, adult/youth dance, adult/youth martial arts and adult/youth art. Douglas Morrisson Theatre, a 250-seat performing arts center hosts live entertainment and houses the District’s Drama Program; and the Adobe Art Center offers pottery, painting, quilting, jewelry making, stained glass and calligraphy classes as well as a summer art day camp for children, and features the Adobe Gallery, site of several art shows each year including the Area Artists Annual Juried Exhibit. Kennedy Park offers a carousel, petting zoo, pony rides and train. Sulphur Creek Nature Center and Shoreline Interpretive Center house the district's Naturalist Programs. 18-hole Skywest Golf Course, 1401 Golf Course Rd, 510-317-2300, and 9-hole Mission Hills of Hayward Golf Course both feature a full service bar & grill. Skywest offers a driving range, golf instruction (for youth/adults of beginner-intermediate ability levels), Pro Shop, practice putting & chipping greens, tournament accommodations, power cart & hand cart rentals. Youth & adult sports (510-317-2303) include softball, basketball, volleyball, tennis & soccer for adults, and flag football, tennis & basketball for children. Adult fitness and martial arts classes include aerobics, water aerobics, yoga, tai chi chih, gung fu and karate. Recreational and instructional swimming is available at the district's 5 five swim centers (Arroyo, 510-317-2306, Castro Valley, 510-881-6780, Year-Round Hayward Plunge, 510-881-6703, Mt. Eden, 510-670-7271, Sunset, 510-888-0126), along with public swim hours, pool parties, and special events. Equipment at the centers includes waterslides, water spray, pool inflatables, and tubes. Art classes for all ages are offered, meeting at the Adobe Art Center, Aitken Senior & Community Center, Southgate Community Center, and Weekes Park Community Center (510-881-6735 for info). Folks interested in photography can participate in PhotoCentral (510-881-6721), a community-based facility that hosts classes and workshops for individuals of all abilities and ages. Personal Enrichment Classes, 510-670-7276, include a range of interests such as Dog Obedience, Writer's Workshop, and Bridge Clubs, and can meet days, evenings or weekends. Castro Valley Community Center hosts a tumbling and gymnastics program for children/youth ages 18 months to 14 years. Tot Programs for children ages 2-5, such as Tot Time, Discovery Time, and Music & Rhythm for Tots, meet at various locations. The Park & Playground Program (Youth Activity Zones), 510-317-2302, operates during the school year, offering free supervised drop-in recreational activities such as sports, arts & crafts, table games, indoor/outdoor games, and special events to elementary and middle school students. During the summer, children can participate in the Summer Day Camps program, 510-881-6747, which is held at East Avenue Park. The Youth Enrichment Program, 510-317-2309, also provides after school and summer enrichment activities such as reading, homework assistance, language lessons, sports, music, arts and crafts and field trips, and is offered in collaboration with the City of Hayward and the Hayward Unified School District. Sorensdale Recreation Center, located at 275 Goodwin St, 510-881-6778, offers recreational, educational, and daily living skills activities for developmentally disabled persons. It operates in conjunction with the Hayward Area Recreation & Park District, the Hayward Unified School District/Adult Education, and the Regional Center of the East Bay, Programs include a Saturday Youth Program for ages 8-21 and Ward Creek Summer Day Camp for ages 8 & up at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley.

Livermore Area Recreation & Park District 4444 East Ave Livermore CA 94550 925-373-5700

Recreational facilities in Livermore include 2 regional parks, 2 community parks, and around 25 neighborhood parks. The regional parks, 742-acre Sycamore Grove,1051 Wetmore Rd, and 32-acre Veterans Park, 5211 Arroyo Rd, feature hiking/bicycle trails, horse trails and restrooms. Veterans Park also has a group picnic area (available for rental) and barbecue pits. The community parks, 12-acre May Nissen Park and Swim Center at 685 Rincon Ave, and nearly 30-acre Robert Livermore Park at 4444 East Ave, feature picnic tables and restrooms. Nissen Park and Swim Center also has a group picnic area, preschool, basketball court, horseshoe pits, softball areas, tennis courts, 2 swimming pools, and dog park, while Livermore offers baseball areas, tennis courts, swimming pool and a community center that houses a teen center, senior services, drop-in gym activities Tot Drop childcare and a variety of classes for children and adults. The neighborhood parks collectively feature tot lots, barbecue pits, picnic tables, tennis and basketball courts, softball areas, soccer fields, hiking/bicycle trails, and group picnic areas. Altamont Creek Park also features baseball backstops, Ida Holm Park offers horseshoe pits, Vista Meadows features a dog park, and Sunken Gardens consists of a skate park. Bill Clark, Christensen and Bothwell Parks feature a preschool and Bothwell Park also offers a Recreation Center with kitchen facilities and meeting rooms. Parent-participation preschool is for children from 6 months to 6 years and locations are the Recreation Center, Jane Addams House, May Nissen Park and Croce, Christensen, and Jackson Avenue elementary schools. Eleven schools house the district's school age child care programs, Extended Student Services (ESS) and Kids Zone (KZ), and 4 middle schools (East Avenue, Mendenhall, Christensen and Junction Avenue) are sites for the Police Activities League (PAL) child care program. Recreational classes and activities for preschoolers include arts & crafts, science, cooking, tumbling/gymnastics, Spanish, gardening, Kindermusik, music & movement, dance, drama, fitness, tennis and swimming. Elementary students can participate in arts & crafts, cartooning, dance, science, cooking, music, acting, magic, bowling, sports, gymnastics, horseback riding, swimming and martial arts classes. Programs for teens include "Elbow Room" teen area, PAL program, sports, dances, Aloha Driving School classes, trips, concerts & special events. Adult activities include arts & crafts, dance, fitness, cooking, tennis, golf, sports, horseback riding, water exercise, online computer classes on a variety of topics, and special interest classes such as French & Spanish, music, and Bridge. Senior adult activities include fitness, Spanish & French lessons, 55 Alive Driving class, trips, tours & special events. The Friendship Center offers an adult day program.

Pleasanton Parks, Recreation and Sports Box 520 Pleasanton CA 94566 925-931-5340

The Parks and Community Services Department offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, classes, services and facilities for all ages. Classes/workshops include arts & crafts, dance, guitar, martial arts, fitness, yoga, science/nature, dog obedience, chess, cooking, babysitting training, portrait photography, woodworking, computers, bumper bowling, swimming and sports. Classes meet at various locations, including the Pleasanton Senior Center, Cultural Arts Center, Nature House, Village High School (multipurpose room), Amador Recreation Center, Hearst Elementary (multipurpose room), Century House, Jue's Taekwondo Studio (5460 Sunol Blvd #8), Augustin Bernal Park (staging area), Callippe Preserve Golf Course, Early Anthony Dublin Bowl, Pleasanton Tennis & Community Park and Dolores Bengston Aquatic Center. Gingerbread Preschool (4333 Black Ave) offers a part-time play-based program during the school year for children ages 3-5. Open gym sessions for adults are offered at Pleasanton, Harvest Park and Hart Middle Schools. Ping Pong classes for youth & adults meet at Pleasanton Middle School, along with youth co-ed volleyball. Badminton is offered at Hart Middle School, along with Mini-Sports for preschoolers. Sports instruction, leagues, and informal recreational opportunities are available for a number of sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, lacrosse, softball, golf, roller hockey, volleyball, bocce, and badminton. Programs for all ages include badminton, basketball, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball. Adult sports include bocce and softball, youth sports include baseball, football, lacrosse, and roller hockey. The Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled (RADD) program serves ages 15 and up. Adults ages 50 & up can participate in trips and activities and receive transportation, supporting services and information. The city offers Paratransit/Transportation for Pleasanton seniors (age 60 and up) and ADA-qualified persons of any age. Recreational facilities include 40 parks (including both community & neighborhood types), several miles of trails, numerous acres of open space, and a Community Garden with plots available for local residents. Community Parks collectively feature barbecue pits, group picnic areas and tables, horseshoe pits, restrooms, soccer, softball and baseball fields, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, public art, and tot and youth play areas. Muirwood Community Park features the only dog park area in Pleasanton, Amador Valley Community Park has the only swimming pool, Sports & Recreation Community Park offers the only skateboard park, Val Vista Community Park features the only roller hockey rink, Centennial Park offers the only Bocce Court, and is the only community park with an exercise course. Neighborhood parks range in size from 1/2 acre to 237 acres, and some have unique features, such as the BMX Park on Stanley Boulevard near Shadow Cliffs. The neighborhood parks collectively feature barbecue pits, picnic tables, restrooms, softball and baseball fields, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, exercise courses, and tot and youth play areas. Other recreational facilities include 18-hole Callippe Preserve Golf Course (8500 Clubhouse Dr) which features a driving range and clubhouse with indoor and outdoor seating and Dolores Bengston Aquatic Center (4455 Black Ave inside Amador Valley Community Park). The aquatic center offers Recreational and Lap Swimming; Adult & Teen Swim Lessons; Swim Team; Competitive Stroke Lessons; Red Cross Certification classes (Lifeguard Training, Junior Guard, Basic Water Rescue, Water Safety Instructor); Learn to Swim Program; Water Fitness classes (Water Exercise, Sunrise Workout, Deep Water Workout, Aqua Aerobics), Pool Play Time (Summer only), Beginning & Advanced Diving classes, Adapted Aquatics; and Water Polo.

San Leandro Recreation and Human Services 835 E. 14th St San Leandro CA 94577 510-577-3462

Recreational facilities in San Leandro include 23 parks and recreation facilities, including community and neighborhood parks, swimming pools and sports fields. The facilities lend themselves to a variety of activities such as running & walking, picnicking, tennis, softball, and swimming. Ten large group picnic areas and all three swimming pools are available on a reservation basis. The community pools (Boys' and Girls' Club Pool, 401 Marina Blvd, 510-483-0832, Farrelly Pool 864 Dutton Ave, 510-569-1245, Manor Pool, 14900 Zelma & Cumberland, 510- 895-0329) offers swim lessons, recreational and lap swim times (purchase of swim tickets) and private rentals for occasions such as birthday, business, or family parties. Boys' and Girls' Club Pool is an indoor pool open year-round, while the other 2 facilities are seasonal outdoor pools. The department operates an after school Kid’s Club program at various local elementary schools for children in grades 1-5. Program activities include homework support, arts and crafts, group games, sports, and team building activities. Kiddie Kollege, held at Halcyon and Washington Manor Parks, offers a developmentally appropriate preschool program including such activities as arts & crafts, circle time, and free play. A number of summer day camp programs (general recreation, sports, art) are offered for children ages 4-18. Teen-oriented programs include college & career exploration, and SLHS CollegeBound. Teens can participate in the Youth Advisory Commission and various volunteer opportunities. Adult activities focus mainly on sports. Older adults can participate in fitness groups, trips, classes, social activities and community education forums. General recreational classes include dance, music, drama, martial arts, sports, arts & crafts, and fitness. Classes generally meet at the Marina Community Center 15301 Wicks Blvd 510-577-6080. Registration for programs can be made at the south offices at City Hall, 835 E. 14th St or the Marina Community Center.

Union City Leisure Services Dept 34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City CA 94587, 510-675-5265

Union City's Leisure Services department provides recreation and leisure services for all ages. UCLS operates the Holly Community Center, the Kennedy Community Center, the Ruggieri Senior Center, the Teen Center, the Teen Workshop and, in the summer, the Dan Oden Swim Complex. Recreational programs for all ages include fee classes; summer, winter and spring day camps; after school middle school programs; youth sports; aquatics; arts; tot time; senior lunches; community gardens; volunteer recruitment and special needs programs for people with physical and mental disabilities. Holly Community Center 31600 Alvarado Blvd, 510-471-6877, serves residents on the west side of Union City, and features an auditorium with a wooden stage, large kitchen area with counter space, and accommodations for up to 250 people for dining. The Holly Senior Room holds 90 people and is designed for small events such as baby showers or meetings. Kennedy Community Center 1333 Decoto Rd 510-489-0360 The Kennedy Community Center, in Kennedy Park, features a kitchen with a large refrigerator and freezer, a lobby area, restroom facilities and an assembly hall that can holds up to 160 people for dining. The Ruggieri Senior Center, located near City Hall and across from Logan High School, offers a large assembly hall, which seats 200, a commercial-size kitchen with a large refrigerator, ovens, steamers and counter space, and a dining room that accommodates 100. Dan Oden Swim Complex, 33901 Syracuse Ave (at Logan High), 510-471-3837, offers a wide variety of Red Cross certificated classes such as learn to swim levels 1-5, tiny tots, lap swimming, stroke clinics, private lessons and water exercise classes during the spring, summer and fall. Special summer programs include water polo, scuba diving courses, Junior Lifeguard and a variety of special events. The Union City Sports Center, now being built on Union City Boulevard, features a large gym, a health/sports wing, with a fully-equipped exercise facility and a dance/aerobics area, classroom and meeting space, and a full-service kitchen. Teen Centers William C. May Jr. Teen Center, 1200 J St, 510-489-1462 (in Kennedy Park) and Holly Teen Center (inside Holly Community Center), 31600 Alvarado Blvd, 510-471-6877, both offer drop-in activities for teens, including games, sports, arts & crafts, and cooking. Union City's 2 dozen plus parks collectively feature soccer, baseball and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic areas and tables, barbeque units, barbeque units, children's playgrounds, exercise courses, restrooms, drinking fountains, park benches, bike racks, parking lots. William Cann Civic Center Park 34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd, features a lagoon, home for many large migratory birds, and houses the city's new 18,000-square-foot skate park. Drigon Dog Park offers several special features, including fake fire hydrants, doggie watering stations, scooper dispensers, a dog bone shaped walkway, dog jumps, dog tunnels and a dog climbing platform, as well as a small dog area for dogs of 29 lbs or less and a large dog area designed for dogs of 30 lbs or more. Kennedy Park, 1333 Decoto Rd, Union City’s largest community park features a concrete memorial to Union City's World War II veterans, an amphitheater, community center, and teen center. Old Alvarado-Cesar Chavez Park is known for its wooden gazebo, which stands in center of the park and has been used for special events and weddings. The Union City Community Garden, located on Venito Ave, 510-489-7396, offers 17 plots of about 15 X 30 feet each.

Albany Recreation & Community Services 1249 Marin Ave Albany CA 94706 510-524-9283

Recreational programs in Albany include Sports, Dance, Music, Arts & Crafts, Fitness, Martial Arts and a variety of special interest classes. Recreational facilities include Albany Community Center, where many of the classes are held, Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave, 510-524-9122, which offers classes, recreation activities, social services, massage therapy, and trips for adults age 60 or older (as well as piano, chess and martial arts classes for younger individuals), and the Albany Bill Lewis Teen Center, which provides drop-in activities, trips, sports activities and homework assistance. Paratransit (Van/Taxi) service is available to qualifying seniors. The facilities in and surrounding the Albany Community Center include small meeting rooms, banquet rooms, a commercial kitchen, parks, barbeque pits and sports fields. Friendship Club 1331 Portland Ave 510-524-0135, is the City of Albany's School Age after-school program for youth in grades 1-5. Meeting in Memorial Park, the program offers arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor games, sports, computer play, and homework assistance. The Police Activity League (PAL), 510-525-7300, offers diverse programs including recreation, sports, and community services for children/youth ages 6-18.

Other Recreation Programs: Berkeley/Albany YMCA 921 Kains Ave Albany CA 94706 510-525-1130

Newark Recreation & Community Services 35501 Cedar Blvd Newark CA 94560 510-742-4437

Recreational programs and activities in Newark for all ages include sports, dance, and aquatics. Preschool programs include music classes, Tae Kwon Do Tots, Kidz Love Soccer, including a separate Mommy, Daddy & Me class for age 2-3 1/2, Tumbling, Tot Ice Skating, Licensed full day Child Care for ages 3-5, Small World (Intro to preschool for ages 2-3), and Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten (Kindertots) for ages 3-4 & 4-5, respectively. Elementary school children can participate in Instrumental Music Lessons (Keyboarding/Piano, Guitar), Gymnastics, Science & Mad Science Classes, Drop-in After School Recreation (Free, at Bunker, Kennedy, Lincoln, Milani, Musick and Snow Elementary School Playgrounds, in conjunction with Newark Unified School District), and Holiday Break Camps. Power Soccer is designed for wheelchair-bound children age 7 & up. Teens can enjoy the activities and facilities of the Teen area of Stillman Activity Center, which include Homework Club, Teen Resource & Job Boards, Movies, Snacks, Games, Tournaments, and Parties. Adult programs include Photography (age 16 & up) and CPR/First Aid. Senior Center Activities and Services include Bingo, Billiards, Knitting/Crochet/Needlework Group, Aerobics, Hula Dance, Adult Education Classes (Music & Memories, Beginning/Intermediate Spanish, Computer, Digital Music, Digital Camera, Special Events, Trips/Tours, Health Insurance Info, Cell Phone Program (free cell phone, 911 calls only), Mercy Brown Bag Program (registration at Senior Center), AARP Driver Ed, Senior Property Maintenance Program, Senior Help Line (Resource & Referral, 510-574-2041), Paratransit, 1-800-555-8085, and WOW Mobile Healthcare Clinic, 510-608-3203. Most programs meet at Stillman Activity Center, 6800 Mowry Ave, 510-742-4400, 510-739-2620, Stillman Family Aquatic Center, also 6800 Mowry Ave, 510-739-2620 and Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Blvd, 510-742-4437. Tumbling & Gymnastics classes are held at Demaray's Gymnastics Academy, 40511 Albrae St in Fremont, Kidz Love Soccer programs meet at Sports Field Park, Ice Skating is offered at Sharks Ice Rink, 44388 Old Warm Springs Blvd in Fremont. Beginning Golf Clinics are offered at Fremont Park Golf Center, 29751 Stevenson Place in Fremont. Stillman Family Aquatic Center offers Recreational Swim, Lap Swim, Lifeguard Training, Coached Swim Workout, Water Aerobics/Fitness, Swim Lessons (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Youth (6-13), Teen/Adult (13 & up), and Competitive Swim (6-13) in the aquatic part of the facility, which features an activity pool with zero depth entry and water play structure, 25 yard 4 Lane Lap Pool with depth of 42" at the end and 54" at the center, 245' Lazy River complete with inner tubes to ride on, 15 person warm-water spa; 2 Water Slides; one slide is a full chute and 1 slide is a half chute, Men's and Women's locker rooms with showers, restrooms and baby changing stations as well as family changing rooms, and Otter Alley Café. Stillman Activity Center features a Fitness Center, Gym, Teen Area (6th-12th grade), Fun Zone (1st-5th grade), Dance Studio, and meeting/classrooms. Newark Community Center, in Newark Park, offers a Kitchen Facility, Tables, Chairs, & Private Patio and also features Lighted Tennis Courts, Open Grass Area & Pathways, Children's Wading Pool, Picnic Facilities and Restrooms. Newark Senior Center, 7401 Enterprise Dr, 510-742-4840 offers a Catering Kitchen, Tables, Chairs, and Private Patio. Newark's parks collectively feature play structures for tots and older children, family picnic facilities, water play areas, open grass (turf) area & pathways, tennis courts (most lighted), and basketball courts (some lighted). Ash Street, Birch Grove and Community Center Parks offer restrooms. 15-acre Birch Grove Park also features a fenced softball field. Ash Street Park also features softball fields, a volleyball court and a horseshoe pit, and houses privately operated Viola Blythe Community Center and a Head Start preschool facility. Lakeshore Park, a 16-acre Lake for Fishing, and Newark Civic Center/Park: 37101 Newark Blvd, 510-793-1400, each offers an exercise course. Mayhews Landing and Community Center Parks each feature a combined basketball and handball court. Community Center Park also offers a children's wading pool. Civic Center Park includes a par course. MacGregor Playfields, 35725 Cedar Blvd, feature about 10 acres of soccer and youth baseball practice play fields. 2-acre Eucalyptus Grove South is a largely undeveloped park that hosts the City's annual summer concert series.

Piedmont Recreation Department 358 Hillside Ave Piedmont CA 94611, 510-420-3070

Recreation programs in Piedmont include toddler & preschool programs (First Step, Tiddlywinks, Tot Zone and Playschool), youth & adult sports (mini super-stars for elementary school children, summer T-Ball for K-1 age children, volleyball &, track and field for middle school students, and flag football & basketball for both age groups, adult basketball and softball), Schoolmates for children in grades K-5 (before and after school child care during the school year at Beach, Havens and Wildwood Schools and full day care during the summer and vacation periods), summer and holiday break camps and special events. The Recreation Department sponsors the PLAY program, 510-654-7863, a summer youth employment program that matches students interested in various types of summer work (babysitting, gardening, painting, maintenance, clean-up, office work, transportation, pet care) with members of the community who are seeking such services. Recreational facilities include athletic fields, tennis courts and Kennelly Skate Park, 510-420-3074. The Piedmont Swim Club, 510-655-5163, is a private club that offers open public swim to Piedmont residents each Friday (except the third Friday) and the third Saturday of each month for a fee. Piedmont Unified School District Adult School, 510-594-2655, offers a variety of classes. Piedmont Seniors Especially for Singles group, 510-420-3070, offers monthly meetings and excursions.

Emeryville Community Services Dept 4300 San Pablo Ave Emeryville CA 94608 510-596-3782

Recreational facilities in Emeryville include 7 City Parks: Emeryville Marina, 3100 Powell St, 510-594-3716; Emery Cove Marina, 3300 Powell St, 510-428-0505; Stanford Avenue Park, Stanford Ave at Doyle St, Temescal Creek Park, Temescal Creek at Adeline & 45th St; 61st Street Mini-Park, 61st St at Doyle St, and Marina Park, 3300 Powell St. Other facilities include Emery Gym, 4700 47th St and Emeryville Senior Center, 4321 Salem St. The department also offers a Community Garden, located at the Recreation Center (4300 San Pablo Ave). The Recreation Department provides recreational programs and services for ages three years to adult. Adult programs include sports (Basketball leagues for men and women) and fitness/health classes, offered on week nights, as well as a summer coed softball league for individuals age 21 or older (location is Golden Gate Field, 1075 62nd St in Oakland, 510-596-4338), and dance classes (ballroom, belly). Activities/classes for older adults include Monthly Walking Trips, Monthly Dining Out event (lunch), Art (Garden & House Art, Painting/Drawing), Fitness (Tai Chi, Weight Training, Feldenkrais, Yoga), Bingo, Bridge, Computer, Quilting, Ballroom Dance classes, Hot Lunch Program and Transportation Services for eligible seniors (East Bay Paratransit, Taxi Vouchers), Personal Services (Home Care, Nutrition-Home Delivered Meals, Post Surgery Support, Brown Bag Food Distribution, Information/Resource/Referral, Health Insurance Counseling, Trips/Travel. City-run Emeryville Child Development Center, 1220 53rd St, 510-596-4343, is open from 7:30-5:30 for preschoolers aged 1 1/2-5. Other summer preschool programs include Kinder Gym, and Parent & Tot Swim Lessons. During the school year, a Youth Sports program includes intramural seasonal sports leagues: YATES (all coed), which offers flag football, soccer, basketball, softball and track, and EMSA, which offers coed football, volleyball softball and track, and girl's & boy's basketball. After-school care (school year) is available through the Adventure Works Extended Care Program for grades K-3, which includes homework time, tutoring, special monthly educational unit, daily themes, games, crafts, drama, music, gardening, snack and story time; and the Kids in Motion Latchkey Program for grades 3-5, which offers homework time, tutoring, special monthly educational unit, daily themes, games, crafts, drama, music, gardening, cooking, leadership development, special committee work, community projects and independent living skills instruction. During the summer, Emery Adventure Works (urban day camp) offers children ages 5 1/2-12 day camp sessions that include specially selected theme weeks with coordinating activities and trips; activities include environmental awareness, cooperative games, sports, crafts, music, dance, cultural studies with corresponding events, weekly group projects, swimming, urban hikes and off-site trips to Bay Area attractions. Each session ends with a parent program and a dessert potluck. Other camp programs include T-Ball Camp, for ages 4-7 at Emery Field, 53rd St & San Pablo Ave, Basketball Camp, Emery High Gym, 1100 4th St, for children ages 8-14, Nature Treks, a Saturday nature camp that takes participants ages 9-14 on spring and summer outings to environmental and nature study sites throughout the Bay area, and Sports for Life camp, which provides personalized sports activities for youth ages 6-15. Steppin' Out offers Middle School students, ages 12-15, a summer camp program featuring specially selected theme weeks with coordinating activities and trips and focusing on activities such as weekly community service projects, job shadowing, crafts, games, movies, guest speakers, and weekly field trips. Kala Arts also offers a city-funded art immersion program for this age group. Emeryville Environmental Institute offers an Outdoor Adventure program including some overnight trips, for teens ages 12-16 who are experienced with the outdoors. For older teens (ages 14-18), the Leadership in Training (LIT) program offers volunteer/job training opportunities with the community services department. For teens in grades 8-12, during the school year, the Emery Connection Teen Center is open in the evenings, with specific themes and activities including cooking, board games, video games, ping pong, various tournaments, group contests, a themed art project and open space for teens to work on or pursue their own projects. Off site trips to Bay Area attractions are offered once per month. The Teen center activities are integrated with Friday Night Live to allow for participation in chapter events such as dances, and bay cruises. The Emery Community Swimming Pool is open during the summer and offers swimming classes for all ages, as well as family swim time, lunch hour lap swim and water aerobics.