North Rosedale Park

North Rosedale Park is a rich green 14.4 acre oasis perfect for outdoor activities smack in the middle of dry brown Bakersfield, and until today I never even knew it was here. My friend, Joan, likes to bring her dogs here to play and get exercise, but I'd never joined her so I was missing out on all the other opportunities there are here for good clean outdoor fun in the sun.There's quite a bit of equipment for children of all ages to clamber about and plenty of bark below to help soften a fall. There are public restrooms, though I did notice that there were also port-a-potties out front - not sure what was up with that.There is a large covered area with long picnic tables and adjacent barbecue grills perfect for large groups to picnic. You can reserve this picnic shelter, which has a capacity of 80 people, for your own group by contacting the NOR Parks & Recreation District at 392-2010 and filling out an application which can be downloaded here http://norfun.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FR-100-Use-of-Facility-Online-Packet.pdfIf you're into outdoorsy sports, there are four lighted sofball diamonds complete with bleachers. There is also a full sized tennis court, a full sized basketball court, and two basketball half courts. There were people practicing or playing on two of the baseball diamonds and on the tennis courts and random people picnicking with families the day of our visit.There is plenty of grass for kids or dogs to play on (please clean up after both groups) and picnic tables scattered randomly about the park.I think I may join my friend and her dogs for their next outing here.

It isn't the most glamorous parks but it gets the job done with the huge fields, the basketball court and the playground. My kids love it right after school so it is one of our major places to attend.