Becky Temko Tot Park

A Cozy Haven for the Little Explorers

Situated in Berkeley, California, Becky Temko Tot Park is one of those sweet little neighborhood spots that feels like a secret only local families know about. Nestled between Dwight and Channing Ways in Southwest Berkeley, this compact playground was designed with the tiniest adventurers in mind.

Freshly renovated in August 2018, this park may be about half the size of Totland, but while small, it has a certain neighborhood charm. The fully enclosed space gives parents a chance to breathe easy while toddlers wobble and explore on their own terms. One of the best features has to be the nicely soft surface - excellent for those still mastering the art of staying upright!

A Park with Heart

The story behind this little green space goes back to 1968 when Berkeley acquired the land. What makes it special is how the community literally rolled up their sleeves to help create it - neighborhood residents pitched in to demolish an old building on the site, while the Flatlands Neighborhood Association took an active role in planning and keeping it beautiful.

Originally called Roosevelt Tot Lot, the park was renamed in 1998 to honor Becky Temko, a local resident who chaired the Parks and Recreation Commission. Her family shares that she designed the park with a simple but powerful vision: making green space accessible to everyone in the community. The recent renovation came to life thanks to funding from the East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW Grant Program.

Playground Highlights

The play area here feels thoughtfully curated for the under-5 crowd. You'll come across a play structure with slides at various heights (because even among the little ones, some are more daring than others!), a whimsical spinning tea cup that usually gets giggles, and these charming stone sculptures resembling cats that seem to keep watch over the fun.

The sand pit with water features is typically a big hit, offering that sensory play that's so important for developing minds. It's the kind of place where you can easily spend an hour watching your little one get completely absorbed in scooping, pouring, and creating.

Community Vibes

One of the sweetest things about this park is the sense of shared ownership. Families often leave behind toys for the next visitors, creating an unspoken toy-sharing network. You'll notice a surprising collection of riding cars and tricycles that somehow stay in decent shape thanks to everyone pitching in to maintain them.

The intimate size of the park makes it particularly manageable if you're trying to keep an eye on multiple little ones at once. Just note that there are no restroom facilities on-site - something to keep in mind when planning your visit with potty-training toddlers!

Good to Know

This park is specifically designated as a children's space, so dogs aren't allowed inside. This keeps the play area clean and safe for crawling babies and toddlers.

Becky Temko Tot Park is open daily from 6AM to 10PM, providing a neighborhood spot for Berkeley families with young children.