Merced parks offer sports, swimming and playgrounds. Here’s where to go
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Merced operates 38 city parks; the county manages 13 parks, including 3 regional.
- Most parks offer playgrounds; splash pads, courts and fields vary by location.
- City and county plan two new parks by 2026, including sports and skate facilities.
How many parks are in Merced?
The city of Merced operates 38 parks and the county operates 10 community parks and three larger regional parks.
How many playgrounds are in Merced?
Thirty-four city parks have playgrounds. Parks without playgrounds are Ada Givens, MacReady and the Youth Sports Complex.
All county parks except Courthouse Park also have playgrounds
What times are the parks open?
City parks are open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. from March to October and 6 a.m.-7 p.m. from November to February.
County parks are open 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
What amenities are at city parks?
Pools and splash pads - McNamara Park includes a pool and splash pad. Stephen Leonard Park also has a splash pad.
Baseball fields - The Youth Sports Complex and Ada Givens, Bernasconi, Flanagan, Joe Herb, McNamara, Rudolph Joseph Merino, Santa Fe Strip parks have baseball facilities.
Basketball courts - Bernasconi, Flanagan, Gilbert Macias Park, Harriet Tubman, McNamara, Rudolph Joseph Merino and Stephen Leonard parks have courts.
What amenities are at county parks?
Pickleball courts are available at Le Grand Park.
Basketball - Snelling Courthouse, Lake Yosemite, Le Grand, Houlihan and Winton parks have basketball courts.
Courthouse Park and Snelling Courthouse Park have museums.
Baseball fields - O’Banion, Winton, Lake Yosemite and Henderson parks have baseball fields
A splash pad is available at Houlihan Park.
Are there plans to build more parks?
The city’s newest park, the Merced Regional Sports Complex, is set to open in South Merced in the fall.
The city is also creating a 2025 master plan for city parks. The current plan was created in 2005.
The county is building a new park in the Franklin-Beachwood community between Merced and Atwater. Jaime Gonzalez the parks supervisor for the county said it will include a skate park and soccer fields. He said the county expects the park to open in spring 2026.