Applegate Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Applegate Park is a popular attraction in Merced, California that offers visitors a variety of activities and points of interest.


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Summary

One great reason to visit Applegate Park is to enjoy the beautiful scenery, which includes a pond, walking trails, and various picnic areas. The park also features a playground for children and sports facilities like baseball fields and tennis courts.

While exploring the park, visitors should make sure to check out the zoo, which houses over 75 species of animals, including lions, monkeys, and amphibians. Another interesting point of interest in Applegate Park is the "Hall of Heroes," a memorial dedicated to local veterans and military personnel.

Interesting facts about Applegate Park include that it was established in 1908 and spans over 50 acres. The park is also home to the Merced County Fairgrounds, which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as live music performances and agricultural fairs.

The best time of year to visit Applegate Park is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. Summer months can be hot, but the park offers plenty of shade and water fountains to keep visitors cool.

Overall, Applegate Park is a great destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of California.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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