DIMOND PARK
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
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Established by the City of Oakland in 1917, Dimond Park is named for Hugh Dimond, a Gold Rush newcomer who acquired the land comprising the adjacent district in 1867. Located in the heart of the Dimond District at the upper end of Fruitvale Avenue, the park sits at the base of Dimond Canyon with hiking trails that climb to reach Joaquin Miller Park in the hills above. Reflecting these historic roots, Dimond Park also hosts Lions Pool, opened to the public in 1929, and was the former site of what was believed to be Oakland’s oldest documented oak tree before it was cut down in 2017.
Park Activities
With its expansive open spaces and play areas for different age groups and activities, Dimond Park can feel like a giant neighborhood living room. On a given afternoon, families tiptoe through Sausal Creek, couples spread out on picnic blankets, hikers prepare to climb up into Dimond Canyon and community members gather for events like yoga classes, youth bake sales and church meetings. Reviewers call Dimond Park “large, well-liked and used” and “one of the gems of the neighborhood.” The park also earns high marks for its active recreation center, open air outdoor pool and generally well-maintained grounds. Wandering from one end of Dimond Park to the other opens a window on a comfortable space that provides a little bit of something for everyone.
Park Facilities
Barbecues
Basketball Courts
Bathrooms
Hiking Trails
Picnic Tables
Playground (Ages 5-12)
Recreation Center
Swimming Pool
Tennis Courts
Tot Lot (Ages 2-5)
Park Info
Address
3860 Hanly Road
Dogs
Allowed on leash
Hours
Closed from dusk until dawn, unless otherwise posted or permitted
Maintenance Requests
OAK 311
(510) 615-5566
Recreation Center Programs
City of Oakland
(510) 238-7275
Rentals
City of Oakland
(510) 238-3420
Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of Dimond Park
Park and Surroundings
Additional Photos
Your turn! What are your favorite activities and experiences at Dimond Park? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below!
Beautiful, like many others who have visited Diamond Park in Oakland, I love “the creek”. Unbelievably wonderful place to experience.
Totally agree with you, Pat. One of our favorites!
i grew up on Dimond Ave., which dead ends at the park where a small foot bridge leads into the park, or did at one time, so many fond memories of the pool and the creek running through the park which also ran through my back yard. My former home was demolished many years ago and an apartment bldg is now in its place = the pool was THE PLACE to be during teen age years
What wonderful memories, Barbara! Thanks very much for sharing them here for others to enjoy.
Hey Barbara! I too grew up just above Dimond Park (up Hanley Rd on Waterhouse) and just about lived in the park as a kid. We’re talking the 1950s-’60s (Glenview Elementary). We knew the park, and the canyon, like the back of our hands, even camping out in the canyon (couldn’t do that today re crime etc). Sigh. The park looks great now and I’m really glad they’ve saved the creek. It’s ridiculous how much $$ the homes in the area are going for now. My house is averaged to cost almost 2 million now, and when my folks bought it in 1953 it was $15,000. Haha. It was a neighborhood where a lot of Oakland Police officers (including my dad) lived. The Rec Center in the park was so handy to us kids as teens, particularly the pool. There was a snack bar that you could buy all sorts of junk (candy, popcorn, pink popcorn, Winner suckers, etc.). I don’t know how old you are, but I remember a horrible winter where the creek overflowed and wiped out Hanly Road between the path from the park to the canyon, and flooded the park by the swings with a couple of feet of water. Scary and awesome at the same time for me, who was probably about 6 or so at the time.
There was also a rope swing attached under the Leimert Bridge (seems like every year), but I was never brave, or stupid enough to try it. Such a lot of memories for me in that park. I wonder if we knew each other. Dimond District —
Guy’s Drugs, the little library, the bowling alley, and (going way back) the roller skating rink. I see the Altenheim (sp) is still on Excelsior (it was an “old folks” home when I was a kid). My mom used to always get my sister when she would say they were going to tear the Altenheim down; my sister would say “why?” and mom would say “because there are too many old cracks in it.” Funny what you remember…
Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories, Denise!
I lived on upper Fruitvale Ave in the 40’s and early 50’s. I used to walk through the park every day to go to Glenview School for kindergarten. I was escorted by my babysitter. My mom used to take me to swim at that pool. I don’t remember too much about the creek or anything else, but I do remember that pool!
I loved Dimond Park as a boy of 5-7 years old. I lived near Laurel School. One time with a friend we walked from our neighborhood to the park and hiked upstream. Part of that hike was in a large culvert pipe. If my memory is correct, the hike ended near a golf course. I also remember Winner Suckers (red & purple) from the snack bar. Good childhood memories from early 1960’s Oakland.
So great to hear about your childhood, Dana!
I would so love it if Dimond Park could install some dedicated pickle ball courts. Just allocating one of the tennis courts that exists there now for pickle ball would be a start. These days, if I want to play, I have to drive several miles to find a court. That’s a bit ridiculous, really.
In case you didn’t know, pickle ball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S.!
So Oakland, please invest some of our tax dollars to build more pickle ball courts here asap.
Thank you!
Thank you for your advocacy, Alison!
I moved into the neighborhood in 2020 and I love it here. The park is easily one of the greatest assets of this neighborhood . I was in the park a few days ago and noticed the playground behind the pool looks to have some renovations happening. I’d be excited to know what the plan is. Our daughter is turning three this year and we visit this park often.
Give a call into the Recreation Center, Sam. I’m sure they’d be happy to fill you in!