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Roberts Regional Recreation Area

Roberts Regional Recreation Area

Roberts Regional Recreation Area

About The Park

This 82-acre area is a popular place for family and group picnicking. It is known for its lush setting in a grove of fragrant second growth redwood trees off Skyline Boulevard in Oakland. The original grove was logged between 1840 and 1860 to support the needs of a growing Bay Area community. Watch a movie clips. 

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Adopt a Park

Early in 1979 Roberts became the first park in the two county Regional Park District to be "adopted" by a local industry. An ongoing partnership was formed with Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, tapping the financial and human resources of the worldwide, Oakland based firm to assure the continued operation of this popular urban parkland.

The Adopt A Park program was developed in July 1978 after California citizens voted to change the state's tax structure, resulting in funding cutbacks for special districts and public agencies like EBRPD that were primarily dependent on property taxes for operation. For more information on how to help the District maintain its current parklands and services, call the Public Affairs Department at 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757) or write to: East Bay Regional Park District, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381, Attn: Public Affairs Department.

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History

Roberts Regional Recreation Area opened for public recreation and enjoyment in 1953. The park was named to honor Thomas J. "Tommy" Roberts, who at that time had served as secretary to the East Bay Regional Park District board of directors for 19 years. He continued to serve on the board until his death in 1958 at age 95.

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Park Features

Roberts Regional Recreation Area features a baseball field, playfields and a sand volleyball court (all available on a first come, first served basis). Roberts Park is also home to a new "Barrier Free" wheelchair accessible children's play area.

The Redwoods

Because the Roberts entrance and parking area are in a grove of redwoods, it has proved to be a popular stop for tourists. This is the best access to redwoods for visitors who cannot hike a long distance or have failed to pack their favorite hiking shoes. Drop by for a moment...you'll want to stay longer.

The famous "landmark trees" were believed to have been located in or near Roberts Park; their location is marked by state historic plaque #962 near the Madrone picnic area. These were two giant redwoods used by sailors as navigational aids to avoid the treacherous Blossom Rock, submerged in the bay between Alcatraz Island and San Francisco. Captain F. Beechey of the Royal Navy noted in his log (1826) that in order to miss the rock, one should line up the northern tip of Yerba Buena Island with "two trees...south of Palos Colorados...too conspicuous to be overlooked." The distance from the sailors' ships to these trees was 16 miles, which attests to their size. Historical records indicate that the redwoods in this area ranged up to 20 feet or more in diameter.

Another redwood grove can be reached by entering Redwood Regional Park at the Redwood Gate entrance, two miles east of Skyline Boulevard on Redwood Road. Leave your car in the parking area and stroll along Stream Trail through the shady canyon.

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Park Activities

Swimming

The Roberts Pool complex features a 25 yard, heated swimming pool with a depth of from 3 feet to 8.5 feet (no diving board), vending machines and lawn areas. In addition, the complex is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the bathhouse and an accessible lift into the pool.

The pool is open to the public from April through October with varying days and times of operation. For current hours of operation call (510) 544-3157 or visit the Swim Facilities page. Programs offered at the pool include group and private swim lessons, recreational swim, lap swimming, and a special time set aside for disabled swimmers only. The pool is also available for rent to groups wishing to have a swim party or other group function. For information about swim programs or pool rental, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757. POOL ACCESS FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, visit the Swim Facilities page for current fees. 

Picnicking

There are eight reservable picnic sites in the main Roberts area of varying capacities: Bay Vista (300), Manzanita (300), Diablo Vista (150), Huckleberry (100), Sycamore (50) Madrone (50), Oak (35) and Roberts Grove (35). These sites are reservable for day camps, group picnics and weddings Two additional sites, are located in the Redwood Bowl area: Redwood Bowl (60) Anna Costa (50), these sites are also available for group picnics and weddings. All sites are equipped with serving tables, BBQ pits and drinking fountains. Individual picnic tables and cooking areas are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. See map below for locations.

Make your picnic reservations a minimum of 14 days in advance by writing, phoning, or faxing EBRPD Reservations, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381, 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (press option 2, then 1), FAX (510) 635-3478. Reservations are not necessary for family picnicking when there are fewer than 25 people in your group. 

Hiking, Jogging and Biking

Trail connections from the Roberts area to neighboring Redwood Regional Park make Roberts popular for bicyclists, joggers, runners and hikers. A map of Redwood Regional Park is available on request by phoning (510) 635-0138, ext. 2203.

Archery

The Redwood Bowmen Association archery range is located inside the Redwood Bowl entrance off Skyline Boulevard in Oakland. Call (510) 530-0400 for information.

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ADA accessibility iconPark Accessibility

Roberts Park has a new "Barrier Free" wheelchair accessible children's play area. The swim complex is fully accessible to individual with disabilities, including the bathhouse and an accessible lift into the pool.

Trail Accessibility Reports

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To Reach The Park

Bus Service

Call AC Transit at 817-1717 (TDD 800-448-9790) to confirm the following bus schedule information: On weekdays #46 runs to the intersection of Skyline Blvd. and Joaquin Miller Road, and further south along Skyline to the former EBRPD headquarters (11500 Skyline Blvd.). It is a 1 mile walk uphill along Skyline to Roberts. From behind the former headquarters building, it is 1.08 miles along the Dunn and Graham trails to Roberts. 

Transit

BART: (510) 464-6000
AC Transit: 511 or visit www.transit.511.org

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Trail Map

Roberts Regional Recreation Area trail map

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Movie Clips

  • Roberts Movie Clip (duration: 1 min 1 sec)
  • Blossom Rock Redwoods (duration: 41 sec)
This is a place holder for Roberts movie clip.

You can also save movies to your computer in QuickTime format. If you don't have QuickTime, you may download QuickTime here.

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Park Info

Address
10570 Skyline Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
Download Brochure
Phone Number
Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4555
Local Weather
movie clip icon Movie Clips
Maps
View Trail Map
Download PDF Map
Yahoo Map
Park Hours
Open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted or permitted
Pool open hours
Park Events
Click here for upcoming events
Parking Fee
$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
Dog Fee
$2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free payable
Beach Access Fee and Pool Rental
See Swim Facilities page for fees
Camping Reservation
No reservable campground
Picnic Reservation
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1
Emergency Number
911
EBRPD Headquarters
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757
Source URL:
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts