John Hinkel Park - Park in Berkeley - 41 Somerset Pl, USA

I love this secluded little park. It's absolutely gorgeous. The hills are a little steep, but it's amazing. The trees are beautiful. It was raining the whole time I was there and I loved the mist on my face and the fresh air. It was just amazing.

A very cool unique hillside park with that is hidden from most non-locals. My friend and I walked through it on our way to another park. Pros: Unique, neighborhood park, small, hidden, amphitheater, water fountains (even for dogs), waterfall after rains, great for meditation, benches, and lots of stairs for stair training. Cons: Not much parking, not the greatest for wheel chairs, no bathrooms, no grass, and no playground equipment.

Small but beautiful! Amphitheater and three picnic tables around the park. One porto potty and dedicated lot w 4 spots (3 regular + 1 handicap).

Quaint with a really cool amphitheater. Small playground right next to the picnic tables.

Beautiful, quiet park with a newly installed natural-feeling climbing structure and freshly landscaped play area. This neighborhood park is a well kept secret for a family picnic or playdate

Review for Sept 2022: - we don't live in Berkeley so we don't know how this park was before the renovation - checked out the playground and walking trails with our 5.5 year old daughter - newly renovated playground area as of Spring or Summer 2022 - lots of natural logs for the swings, climbing area - extremely small parking lot (maybe 4 spaces?). If you can't get a parking space infront of the playground, drive a block or 2 to find street parking. - port-o-potty was there, no other bathrooms - one water fountain up the hill from the new playground - nice amphitheater; I heard they may do plays there? Not sure. - would go there again if we are in the neighborhood.

John Hinkel is a beautiful park for hikes in the pathways along the side of the canyon. Even better, it is a wonderful place to see a play in the summer. In past years Cal Shakes (then Berkeley Shakespeare Festival) performed here from the early 1970's to the early 1990's, before moving to their fancy new digs in Orinda. Later years saw Shotgun Players, Women's Will, Open Opera, and Theatrefirst. Most recently Actors Ensemble of Berkeley and Inferno Theatre have been regularly performong here in the summer. No bathrooms, however, except in the summer when performances are in session. There is a beautiful playground now, though folks should be respectful and quiet when performances are taking place.

I was a bit disappointed with this park to be honest. It is quite small, which can be nice at times. It had a few benches, but mostly it was sloped and tree covered. As a green space, it is lovely. As a park however, it is not the most inviting, perhaps intentionally. If you're looking to get away from crowded spaces, this might be a decent spot to come. Additionally, dog owners seem to enjoy bringing their dogs here. One final thought, there is a single metal slide for kids, nothing else as far as a play structure.