Tice Valley Park features a fenced in play area for toddlers, adventurous rocky hill for young explorers, and a wide field for all manner of athletic sports and is adjacent to the Jewish Community Center of Contra Costa, which offers educational and recreational programs for children of all ages.
What's here: The park has a large open area of grass for athletic sports such as soccer, lacrosse, baseball and Frisbee. The playground area is mostly shaded with two separate play structures – the smaller play structure geared for tots and preschool aged children is even safe for unsteady tots just learning to walk. They can climb, slide down a pole and explore under a shaded area. The larger play structure has a two-story slide and lots of areas for exploration and imaginative play. There is also a fantastic multi-seating teeter totter for kids to rock on and sit under the canopy when they get tired. There is a picnic table under a shade next to the play structures for rest and snacks during play. All equipment is on sand and the entire playground area is fenced in to keep in little “runners.”
Coolest feature: There is a small hill with mountainous formation of rocks where young explorers can venture into “secret caves” – a great hideout with a rocky terrain amidst trees and bushes and great for imaginative play. You can just imagine a young boy pretending to be Robin Hood finding exciting adventures right here in Walnut Creek.
Ideal for: Active roamers, school-aged kids who can freely seek adventure by the rocky hillside. The playground is also great for tots since it is completely fenced in and easy access to the restroom is great for potty trainers.
How's the sand? The sand is coarse and grainy construction type sand and is less likely to get into the eyes of small children.
Close by: The Jewish Community Center (JCC) shares the parking lot with Tice Valley Park. There are numerous programs offered at the JCC; including Jewish culture and education programs, fitness programs, drop-off day care center, adult day care, and youth and teen programs. The center has a banquet room for private events, basketball courts, fitness center, game room and a recreational pool
Parking? Parking may be one of the best features of this park. There is a large parking lot in front of the park with ample room for larger cars such as a minivan or SUV and there are always plenty of spaces to park.
Restroom proximity: A public restroom is located in the playground and hard to miss. Very clean, well-kept, safe and visible from the playground for young children to enter by themselves.
Safety Concerns? No fencing on the other side of the rocky hill so unsupervised children may be in danger of oncoming traffic on Tice Valley Boulevard and Rossmoor Parkway if hey leave the hillside. Also, some parents have reported seeing glass bottles among the rocks and trees – perhaps due to some late night party-goers?