Kids Parks in Santa Cruz: West Lake Park

Bradley Drive off Spring Street, Santa Cruz I've only been here once, but I think it is one of my favorites. There were lots of kids, and the parents were friendlier than I am used to. Not huge play structures, but a great lake filled with ducks makes up for it. Some kids were fishing...my daughter is still a little young for that.

NOTE: Turns out fishing is for youth 16 and under and seniors 65 and older only :(

Great park, only problem is that there is no bathroom!
My Rating: 4

This is the only park in Santa Cruz that I let my kids run around barefoot at! My son loves the "waterfall" at the pond and likes playing in the sandbox. Not a huge amount of play equipment but it doesn't seem to matter to him.
My Rating: 4

My family loves this park. It's a great place to meet up with your friends and kids. Bring a picnic and bread to feed the ducks.
My Rating: 4

The ducks are our favorite...my son likes to feed them. And the park is in a nice neighborhood.
My Rating: 5

This is our neighborhood park. We love it and frequent it often. Nice play structure, nice sand, fun to visit the ducks and walk around the pond. Nice neighborhood.
My Rating: 5

Oh, forgot to mention, NO BATHROOMS!

We love this park. We live two blocks away and always walk to the park when our grandkids are visiting. They are ages 2-8, and they all love it...the play structures, the sand, feeding the ducks...and just running around. Also, for adults it's a great little lake to walk around and to sit and relax and watch the ducks and geese and people.

THis is a nice park next to the lake. The structure is nice (although most of it in the sand which is not very convenient if you're not wearing appropriate shoes). The neighborhood is nice, the ducks are always a show-stopper (my son loves them!) and there's lots of grass to run around or play with a ball.
My Rating: 4

I love this park...I have 2 toddlers and we go here quite a bit..tons of parking..nice play ground with sand and you can take a great walk around the small lake/pond to feed the ducks..in a great neighborhood..NO BATHROOMS
My Rating: 5