Dennis The Menace Playground

When I learned that there was a Dennis the Menace park, I knew that I wanted to take MY little menace to check it out! My son loves nothing more than to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, zooming across the playground, playing in the sand or wood chips, getting dirty, climbing or sliding down everything in sight, and burning off all of that energy he keeps trapped inside of him all day long! And sure enough, he did just that! We didn't have a whole lot of time to stay, as we were headed elsewhere with a ticking clock behind us, but we were able to get out and let him explore some of the larger, more impressive play structures, tunnels and slides! As he ran around, finding something new and exciting around every corner, I marveled at how impressive this park truly is, both in size and variety of the structures available. I wish we had something like this back at home, but for the most part, our parks pale in comparison...and that's before even mentioning the pee-wee baseball field (complete with concession stand) and duck pond (with rentable paddleboats) on either side!

I've lived here five years and have passed this playground and park probably hundreds of times. Finally stopped by and wish I had earlier. Easy and close parking. It feels safe, fenced with a good mix of people and ages. Can't get on the train engine, but fun to look at. A fenced maze with shrubbery along the fence was fun. My favorite is the swinging bridge. Pond next to the park often has paddle boats which are fun to watch. Parking does get a little crowded when there is a baseball game. Highly recommend a visit!

An Absolute Blast! This playground is Incredible! Wow! We just visited [Playground Name] and it was extreme fun! This isn't just a playground; it's an entire adventure zone. What really stands out is the sheer number of diverse play areas. There's something for every age, with structures thoughtfully spaced out so kids can explore safely and independently. The huge roller slide was a massive hit – a definite highlight that brought out screams of joy! They also have an impressive variety of swings, including a special swing that accommodates both an adult and a toddler, which was fantastic for our little one. Beyond the play structures, the amenities are top-notch. The restrooms were clean (a big win for parents!), and there was plenty of parking, making the visit stress-free from the moment we arrived. The overall setting of the park is simply amazing. It's beautifully surrounded by a serene pond where people were enjoying boating and paddleboarding, adding to the relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. We could easily spend hours here. Highly, highly recommend [Playground Name] for an unforgettable day of play!

Dropped by Dennis the Menace playground and were surprised that there were so many kids and adults during lunch time on a Wednesday afternoon. Love the views over El Estero Lake from the park as well... For the full review and details of our 5 months Round The World (RTW) travels, visit 2bearbear today!

A fun, huge, and very well kept playground. My kids preferred here over the aquarium!!!

First went here as an elementary age kid and got to bring my 8 month old 20 years later. It's an incredible playground park with various climbing structures, swings, a suspension bridge, tunnels, and plenty of open space for running around. This really is one of the best playgrounds I've ever been to, and the design is incredible.

All the classic stuff is back: real steam locomotive, giant adventure slide, suspension bridge, climbing walls, hedge maze, zip line, etc. Now even better – fully accessible, new shade structures, softer surfaces. Location: 777 Pearl St, Monterey (at Lake El Estero, next to El Estero Park). Hours: 10 AM – sunset (closed Tuesdays and when wet). Cost: FREE for everyone now (they removed the old $1–2 fee).

A massive playground for kids. Baseball field and concession stand for fresh hot food and cold drinks. If not McDonald's nearby. This place is awesome. I had a fresh burger at the concessions and it was better than McDonald's. Props to the City of Monterey and those who help build this amazing park.

When I learned that there was a Dennis the Menace park, I knew that I wanted to take MY little menace to check it out! My son loves nothing more than to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, zooming across the playground, playing in the sand or wood chips, getting dirty, climbing or sliding down everything in sight, and burning off all of that energy he keeps trapped inside of him all day long! And sure enough, he did just that! We didn't have a whole lot of time to stay, as we were headed elsewhere with a ticking clock behind us, but we were able to get out and let him explore some of the larger, more impressive play structures, tunnels and slides! As he ran around, finding something new and exciting around every corner, I marveled at how impressive this park truly is, both in size and variety of the structures available. I wish we had something like this back at home, but for the most part, our parks pale in comparison...and that's before even mentioning the pee-wee baseball field (complete with concession stand) and duck pond (with rentable paddleboats) on either side!

This review is coming from a 7 year old born and raised in Santa Cruz . "I don't really like it but I do like it . I don't like it because the red slide with the tubes I like it because it's big and I love the slides

This huge kids' playground, just a stone's throw from the Monterey Municipal Wharf and a short stroll from Cannery Row, is easily one of the best family stops in the area. The park is packed with fun attractions for both kids and adults, with enough variety to keep everyone entertained for hours. . There are multiple play structures, big twisting slides, swings, a suspended walking bridge, a cement boat, concrete tunnels, a rock-climbing wall, a spinning cone carousel, and even a giant roller slide that's a hit with all ages. One memorable feature is the tunnel bridge -- perfectly sized for kids, but a fun (and slightly snug!) adventure for adults too. Younger explorers will also love the small maze made of chain-link fencing lined with bushes, leading to a standalone play structure with a corkscrew climber. . Visually, the park is anchored by an impressive giant arching staircase that resembles the profile of a rising sun. It sits at the center of the playground and makes for a fun photo spot as well as an energetic climb. . The whole space has a charming Charlie Brown theme, and you'll even spot a playful lion-shaped water fountain greeting visitors near the entrance. Bathrooms are conveniently available on-site and are connected to the preschool next door -- a huge plus for families spending long stretches at the park. . Just beyond the playground is a small lagoon where you can rent paddle boats, adding another layer of fun to the outing. There's also a baseball diamond next to the parking lot, which adds to the buzzing, lively feel of the area. And as you enter from the parking lot, you're welcomed by a giant vintage train engine on display -- a total showstopper for train-loving kids. . The only drawback is the parking lot itself, which is on the smaller side. On busier days, especially weekends or warm afternoons, it can take a bit of patience to secure a spot. (Reason for knocking a star off the review. Not the end of the world, but worth noting for those making a drive specifically for this playground) . All in all, this playground is a gem -- creative, spacious, and full of variety -- making it an unforgettable stop for families exploring Monterey.

My wife was born in the Monterey area so when we make a drive down to visit, we usually stop here at the Dennis the Menace park. It's just so nostalgic and fun! We consider ourselves to be huge kids at heart and sometimes you just want to feel that youthful park lovin' energy of yesterday. The location and perfect beachy weather is always on point, I do suggest checking hours before driving over though. Once you reach the destination..... it's all thrills from there! 5 stars!

After hearing so much about Dennis The Menace Park located in Monterey & bookmarking the park for forever, I am ecstatic to say I finally made the visit. Not realizing that this park was initially opened in 1956- YES!! 1956!!- I was literally floored by the size, condition, and beauty of this place. The parking lot is kind of small but with our visit being a weekday, there was no issues. There are restrooms and working water fountains but I can't speak on the conditions since our party didn't actually use the washrooms. There are play structures specifically for younger kids vs older ones. My 5 year old had the time of her life and tearing her away was 100% a difficult task. My only complaint is the fact that Dennis The Menace Park is located sooo very far from us! 5 stars. Hopefully we'll be back sooner than later.

What a fun play area!! It is well-maintained and has a variety of structures for all ages. There are swings, different kinds of slides, bridges, climbing walls, all spread out over a pretty big area. There is a free parking lot and restrooms in front of the

Been coming here since I was a kid, but it got even better!! It's such a fun park for anyone of any age. There are so many fun parts of this playground also isn't the name so funny lol

This is a must-visit playground! After spending the morning at the aquarium, we headed here at 9 AM on a Sunday, expecting it to be empty--but a few early risers were already enjoying the space. There's a small, free parking lot, but it fills up quickly. This playground has been around for decades and features great slides, a bridge, and a climbing wall. If you're visiting Monterey with kids, it's definitely worth a stop! It also has a separate playground for smaller kids and one for bigger kids.

What an amazing park for the youngsters 2 run around in!!! It's a busy park, but we were able 2 find parking. The baseball field's snack bar was open so we stopped & got an iced tea & a mocha. My friend also got a large bag of popcorn. It was delish 4 a snack bar!!! Playground is huge & has multiple slides 4 the kids 2 enjoy. There were tunnels, a maze, & other playground equipment 4 every1 2 enjoy!!! Highly recommend!!!

Such a great spot to stop by at if you are on Monterey! We stopped by on our way back down to LA on Saturday around 11am and it was PACKED. There is a small parking lot, so parking may be tough, might need to street park. We were lucky an snagged a spot as someone was leaving. There are also restrooms available. The playground was much larger than I expected. I like that it was kind of separated by each area (like rock climbing, play structure, bridge, etc.). Our 16 month old was a little too small to play on most of the items, but he still got a kick out of running around some areas like the bridge and tunnels. Everyone was pretty courteous and watched their kids in case any one was in the way, so that was nice! Definitely gotta practice sharing with so many people running around. Highly recommend to get all the zoomies out of your little ones!

This is such a cute playground! They have everything from slides to swing sets to mazes to themed play areas. I'm not a little kid, but I really enjoy going here whenever I go to Monterey. There's something for everyone, and it's such a unique playground!

There are many fun obstacles for the kids to play on with lots of space to run. 100% recommend!

Love this park - it's more than just a play structure and swings. I appreciate the different "levels" with the lower area, the bridge, tunnels, climbing wall, extra long roller slide, and it's super colorful! This park allowed my 2 year old to explore more than a regular park. I've only visited this park twice but FYI parking is tough.

A must see playground if you have kids and are in the area. It's not in the best condition, but it maintains a fun retro feel without compromising safety. There's the largest twisty slide I've ever seen and a fun, loud suspension bridge. There's also a wild spinny carousel at the top of the hill, which is worth checking out (and supervising younger kids). There aren't many swings, but that's ok. So much to explore and space to run around.

This public park is AMAZING! I had seem the photos but it's just not the same until you visit in person with your little ones! Such a great place to take them to play and enjoy being kids! There are lots to do! Climbing walls, maze, swings, different type of play structures, human carousels, bridges, tunnels, you name it!!! Even I wanted to be a kid again there! So much fun! The best part of it was that It's FREE!!! I'm so grateful they have such a place for little ones! Monterey family, you're so lucky! We definitely come here again when we're in the area, my little one still talked about this place!

My kids LOVED this park! It really has everything you could want in a park. I highly recommend having an adult for each kid so that they can go do the thing that interests them while being supervised.

We've been coming here for years and it's always an excellent stop for the kids. PROs: there are lots of different rides and activities to burn your kids energy off. The train at the entrance that was put here by the founding group is also really cool for the history of the city. A lot of people don't know it but there's a snack bar that supports the park right next to the baseball field. some of our favorite things are the suspension bridge and the huge merry-go-round at the top of the hill. CONs: they should expand the parking because it could be a challenge during pretty much anytime of the day. The bathrooms definitely need to be updated along with some sort of water bottle refilling station.

I used to frequent Dennis the Menace as a child. I brought my children, and my grandchildren here. While things have changed, most things have remained the same. Dennis the Menace remains, a fun place to play at and meet new friends.

No trip is complete without at least one trip to a playground for my grandkids. And this one, found by sheer accident, was declared one of the best parks for children ever. That declaration came from their playful dad, my son-in-law. But all of us wholeheartedly agreed. His two kiddies gave an enthusiastic two thumbs up and begged to return each morning before we had to leave Monterey. The park was open by 9 am, but sadly, the frost had not yet melted on our 2 other precious, December mornings. By the time that would happen, we were already piled in the van, headed towards other exciting adventures. The park was first conceived in the 1950's by Hank Ketchum, the creator of the Dennis the Menace comic series, a long-time favorite of the post-war generation. We always found his fresh, wholesome humor in the funny pages. There are memorials to him at the entrance to the park. This large, public park is beautifully maintained by the City of Monterey. In the distance you can see Monterey Bay. The grove of huge pine trees that surround it makes this place even more special. Surrounding the park on three sides is an even larger lagoon. A cluster of colorful, giant duck and swan paddle boats are tied up at the boathouse just waiting to be untethered as they wait patiently for more clement weather. The many brightly colored play structures beckon kids of all ages. If you have children, this is the perfect place to bring them. Great memories!

My son had an amazing time at this park. Plenty of play space and slides, swings ect. Snack bar prices were reasonable

This is an incredible park & there's nowhere else I've been to that can compare. Where to begin--an awesomely long suspension bridge, an arch bridge, tunnels, short hedge maze, rock climbing wall, a variety of slides, playground equipment in multiple areas, a play boat and sea creatures to climb on, a long roller slide, and still more that you don't see just anywhere. This large, spacious park has multiple elevations and is in a scenic setting with a great view of Lake El Estero. Ramps and slopes help with accessibility. The photo ops are all over. The train is behind a fence now, but is still a cool feature. Parking lot is a little small. Restrooms are located near the entrance. The family will enjoy a fun time. Kids will absolutely love playing here!

This is a nice playground that's close to the Monterey Aquarium and a few downtown eats options, so a convenient stopover for us when driving down. I'd say it's a 20-30 min park, with my son gravitating towards the spinning wheel, lion fountain and ship (the things that aren't always at most playgrounds). Parking convenient.

This park made me wish I was 5 again. Rolling into the parking lot, you could be at a nice park anywhere, but you're anywhere but when you're here. Walking up you're greeted by an old steam engine, which isn't a play area sadly, and just past it the entire expanse of the park is revealed. This park is so well put together from both a fun and safety standpoint. The first thing I noticed was all the elevations, greenery and distinct areas to explore. Large and long bouncy bridges, tunnels over gaps and through mountains, hedge mazes, jungle gyms. carousels, swings and even a bouldering wall are all here to be enjoyed. Watching my sons, 2 and 5, race around was so wonderful. Seeing them use their imagination and creativity was mesmerizing, and I loved how they used every inch of this place to get their energy out. The people of Monterey are lucky. This is fantastic.

Great spot for kids to run rampant around the playground . For adults, not so much. But it's cool to check out. Apparently, designed by the creator of Dennis the Menace. Lot of different play structures and a small lake with paddle boats. Small parking lot and snack stand.

Nothing I can add that hasn't already been mentioned but it's a great playground. Lots of separate equipment, a mini maze, a huge suspension bridge, a spinning carousel thing. The playground itself is way past its prime. Most of the equipment needs serious TLC but no one notices that but the parents. There's a sweet Dennis the Menace statue in a corner, in disrepair and fenced off. Along with the steam engine. But nonetheless the kids burned some serious energy for about an hour and after spending boat loads of cash at the aquarium, it's nice to get this "freebie".

Everything we travel to Monterey we visit this park. My kids love it, and I love that there is no sand. The baseball field next door has food.

Our son, who was 5 yrs old when we visited, loved it so much we stayed an extra day to visit this twice, two consecutive days. It's a role-model childeren's playground that every city should strive to have to entertain the community of children and visiting kids. It's good for a few hours of entertainment for young kids and is really fun to see the gleefully spirited kids enjoy themselves here.

Nice urban park with picnic benches, swings, slides, and other places for children. Well maintained with lots of parking.

They changed a few things in the park since we came here last time. I recall the kids climbing all over the train, but that is closed off now. Also the roller slide ramp is a lot slower (kids and I came to a stop half way down). That being said this is a really cool park with a lot of unique and fun features. It's a pretty big area to just run around and there some tunnels on the left and a small hedge maze on the right. Decent sized play structure with slides helps all of those that want to play tag. Near the entrance is a small rock climbing wall and in the middle is a rickety, but safe, bouncy bridge. Two normal swings and two baby swings up front. Newest install is in the back - a merry-go-round that someone needs to push around like a mule and 4 little cage things that let you spin around while the whole mechanism turns (for those of you who like the nauseous feeling from tea cup rides). We had a blast on it.

What a great park! My littles loved it and didn't want to leave. Bonus points that they have bathrooms too!

Had a lot of fun here as a kid although, as I found a while back when going there with some younger members of the family, a lot of the more interesting and iconic parts of the park and playground were either removed or changed. This includes the iconic train that many people have fond memories of climbing on as a kid, being fenced off and closed to anyone climbing on it. The park has also had its fair share of issues with litter over the years as, even back when I was going there regularly as a kid, I remember seeing more than the occasional bottle on the ground. Overall could still be a good experience for bringing kids but a lot of what made it so charming to begin with seems to have been lost in recent years.

What an awesome place to park your kids bored with adult Monterey attractions! This playground (free of charge) is gigantic, with plenty of options to climb, slide, swing, run, jump and spin! Restrooms are available and drinking water at the entrance. There's little shade, so pack up on sunscreen.

What a cute park near the Aquarium. Our entire enjoyed exploring the plentiful playgrounds. This park offers a great way to run and play after a full day of visiting the Aquarium. Definitely recommend!

When I took my daughter on a work trip many years ago, we stopped at Dennis the Menace Park. It was pure joy. Quite the nostalgia for me as I spent many summer days and other days throughout the year at Dennis the Menace park. I even took swim classes next door. I still remember splashing about with my paddleboard. The locomotive at the entrance of Dennis the Menace was one of my favorites to climb and explore. Matter of fact, the park itself is filled with all sorts of interesting and fun-filled activities. There was a tall hedged Labrinth at one time as well wobbly bridge and gigantic slide. It was such a treat for me as a kid playing with friends and my brother. Many games of tag and hide and go seek were played there. When I introduced Dennis the Menace to my daughter we did the same activities and why not? We should at some time always return to being kids and experience the elation and exhilaration that kids have. That carefree and full of spirit Joie de vie often leaves us as we get older. Dennis the Menace is free to enter and there are posts to picnic. Whether you live in the Monterey Bay area or are visiting, Dennis Menace park is a destination location. Here's a tip leave your cell phones behind, locked up, and enjoy your day. Note: the Steam Locomotive that I referenced at the beginning is currently fenced off since it is not in compliance.

Great community park for the kids! Overall the park had a lot of different activities for kids to play on. Some unique parts of the park include a large bridge for the kids to run across, a bush maze with a playground structure in the center, and a rock climbing wall with various hand and foot holds. The rock climbing wall had various levels of difficulty and was the most popular attraction. The park unfortunately had two slides that were boarded up for safety and it looked like the park needed some repairs and updating.

This place is one of the best parks I have ever been to. There are ton of things for the kids to do. It is unfortunate that California and it's laws have to take away all the good old fun. I wanted to share my experiences of playing on the train with my daughter but that is taken away now.

Dennis the Menace park is a lovely historical park in Monterey, California. Parking is generally easy to find. It's a beautiful, large park with an array of play structures, slides, swings, bridges, and more. Our first couple of visits we had the most wonderful time and were really blown away by how well maintained everything was. However, we were disappointed this was far from the case on our last visit. There were several things in need of being refurbished, touched up, and items in general disrepair. We hope this was just an anomaly as our family really enjoys the park when we're in the area. There's a lovely boat rental place nearby with paddle boats. My oldest daughter and I had a blast exploring the area. It's a beautiful area and we hope it continues to stay that way for years to come.

Large park with tons of things to keep the kiddos busy for a bit. Bathrooms available, plenty of shade. Would visit again.

Me and my family had an amazing time here. My 2 daughters had so much fun on this amazing playground and park. Highly recommend if your in the Monterey Bay Area. Very enjoyable for all ages.

After many years of passing this park when going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium we finally stopped and let the girls go play. This park has the largest variety of play structures and play areas I have seen at any park. There are multiple structures, bridges, tunnels, climbing walls, slides and a maze. This park has it all. There is also a bathroom near the entrance. Our girls (7 and 9) ran around and played for over an hour and had a great time.

Great place to play for kids of all ages! If you get the opportunity, must give this playground at least half an hour.

One of the best parks I've ever been to. The playground is huge and there are plenty of structures to run and play on. There is even a pond across from the playground you can fish at. There is a structure on the playground with a section closed off for mother geese protecting their eggs so it's important for parents to keep their kids away.

This is the largest free playground I have ever been to and is wonderful for the whole family. My 10-year-old, four-year-old, and two-year-old all had a blast doing different things. From rock walls to tunnels to rubber hills to roll down to a large spinning structure that could fit over 20 kids this is a great start for the whole family in Monterey. Not only is the park a great opportunity, but it is surrounded by a picturesque lake with swan boats that catch the children's eyes as they play. What an absolute blast we had here. Will be a regular stop for us in Monterey.

My absolute all time favorite park! There aren't enough words to describe this perfect place if you're in the area or live here close by. THIS PARK IS A MUST WHEN WE COME TO THE AQUARIUM! We always stop by, it's the most amazing space for imaginative play, and let kids and adults just be kids. There are a plethora of structure for all climbing stages and ages. There are slides that are straight, and curved. There are swings, and a rock wall. There is a roller slide and a spinning structure that will for sure make you vomit. There's a little zip line, and a huge wooden bridge. We can spend hours here! And we do every time. Again this is a must! Except they close the park during school days on Tuesday's during the day. So be mindful of that. Small parking lot, and it is shared with the baseball field- parking by the cemetery across the street.

Been wanting to check out this park for several years now. Every time we go to the aquarium we pass by it, but by the time we are done visiting the aquarium we don't have energy for the park. This past weekend we were in the neighborhood and decided to check it out. It's a big park and has been around for a long time. There is a cool long bridge and several structures. My kids likes the spinning structure the best. Man spinning that thing is a good workout! There is a really cool skate park right next to it and you can also rent paddle boats on the water nearby. My kids spent a total of an hour here and were over it. I was expecting a bit more from this park ie monkey bars and things to hang and climb (there is a good sized rock climbing structure near the entrance). Glad we finally got to stop by.

This is by far one of the best park playgrounds we've ever been to. In a small area, there's multiple play structures. Our son loved the different slides, the suspension bridge, and the maze on the side. We had a great time as a family. I even accompanied my son on some of the slides. It in a beautiful setting as you're surrounded by the lake and people paddle boating. A well thought out park that has everything you're looking for to entertain your littles in an afternoon in Monterey.

Perhaps they should revise the hours on Yelp as CLOSED on TUESDAY's. Drove from an hour away only to find out that they closed Tuesday's for maintenance. What a big disappointment!

This was a fun park! Our family was in town for a couple of nights. We had a great time as we explored Monterey. This was a great place to go with kids and use up some energy! Lots of stuff to climb around on. Even had a merry go round that had extra spinning stuff on it... I wish I had taken a picture of it! Anyway, one of the highlights to me what's the drinking fountain. The zoo where I grew up had a drinking fountain just like this and it brought back memories.

This park is chaos. No one watches their kids, they let them roam free, knocking over smaller children... being aggressive. There's plenty of homeless lurking around in the parking lot. Great history, fun idea, but not a place I want to take my kids to regularly.