James Kenney Park

James Kenney Park is the center of a vibrant multi-cultural community in the City of Berkeley. Initiated in 2015, the James Kenney Park project created a renovation plan for play and picnic areas in the central portion of the park on the south side of James Kenney Community Center. Key elements of this central area include two play areas for varying age groups, group picnic areas, bio-retention planting, and the preservation of two existing sycamore trees at the heart of the site. The project’s design theme accentuates community gathering and nature play. Both the toddler and school-age playgrounds are furnished with accessible resilient matting in a playful river motif. The playground envelops the site’s existing trees and provides a unique nature exploration area of natural logs and boulders. A range of play equipment provides accessible options to children with special needs. The project also incorporates accessibility improvements—an ADA accessible ramp and pedestrian sidewalk —along the east edge of the park, where no accessible route previously existed.