Parkside Aquatic Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Located in San Mateo County, California, Parkside Aquatic Park is an urban park that offers a range of recreational activities for visitors of all ages, making it a must-visit destination.
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Summary
The park is situated on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, offering stunning views of the water and the surrounding landscape.
One of the main reasons to visit Parkside Aquatic Park is the variety of activities available. Visitors can swim in the park's outdoor public pool, play on the park's picnic tables and barbecues, or explore the park's extensive network of trails. There are also areas for volleyball, basketball, and other sports.
Points of interest at the park include the boat launch and fishing pier, where visitors can catch fish and crabs. The park also offers several playground areas, including a water play area for children. The Bay Trail, which runs alongside the park, is a popular spot for hiking and biking.
Interesting facts about the area include the history of the park, which was once a landfill site that was converted into a recreational area. The park's design also includes several innovative features, such as a stormwater management system that filters and purifies rainwater before it enters the bay.
The best time of year to visit Parkside Aquatic Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is open for swimming and other activities. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year.
Overall, Parkside Aquatic Park is a great destination for anyone looking for a fun and relaxing day out in California. With its scenic views, wide range of activities, and innovative design, it is a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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