Which Modesto park should you visit? Find one based on activities you love

Looking for the perfect park for your next family outing this summer? With 75 across Modesto, offering various amenities from splash pads to riverside trails, every park has families in mind. Whether families want to play games and sports, enjoy nature, have picnics or cool off, the public spaces meet those needs.

Water Activities

During the summer heat, water activities provide a way to cool down. Nine parks in Modesto offer splash grounds: Marshall Park on Sutter Avenue, Lions’ Junction on the Virginia Corridor Trail, Sylvan Park on Niabell Place, Ustach Park on Hillglen Avenue, Sanders Park on Kodiak Drive, Freedom Park on Sharon Avenue, George Rogers Park on Hillside Drive, Coffee Claratina Park on Highlights Way and Graceada Park on Needham Street. Graceada Park also offers a wading pool.

Modesto offers learn-to-swim programs for children and adults to help build confidence, stay active and learn safety skills in water. The program is sponsored by the Modesto Irrigation District and runs throughout the summer at various locations in Modesto, including Graceada Park. Registration for Modesto’s Aquatic Programs is available online, in addition to information on other programs.

Paddle Sports

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in popularity, combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Modesto has 28 pickleball courts: 12 at Graceada Community Park and 16 at Beyer Community Park. For those interested in tennis, Modesto offers 33 tennis courts, some of which can be found at Beyer Community Park and Roosevelt Park.

Like aquatics, Modesto offers lessons for those picking up pickleball paddles and tennis rackets for the first time. Online registration for pickleball lessons at Graceada Park is open to anyone over the age of 18. Tennis lessons at Roosevelt Park are grouped by age and are taught by USPTA-certified tennis professionals. Registration is available online.

Biking, Trails and Nature

Those looking for spaces to bike, run, jog or stroll can visit Modesto parks, where there are 17 miles of dedicated bike and pedestrian trails. The Peggy Mensinger Trail, also known as the Dry Creek Trail, is flat and paved, offering greenery and birdlife. Located at East La Loma Park on Edgebrook Drive, the trail offers a 4.5-mile bike or walk.

The Virginia Corridor Trailway is a 4.2-mile trail that offers picnic areas, barbecues and greenery. The trail follows the Tidewater Southern Railway line from Needham Street to Bangs Avenue and is open to bikers, runners and walkers.

More Activities

Various Modesto parks offer volleyball courts, including Beyer Community Park, Woodrow Park on Sherwood Avenue, Brewers Rose Park on Wylie Drive and East La Loma Park. Also at East La Loma Park is a disc golf course, which combines elements of golf and flying discs. Additionally, Beyer Community Park offers horseshoe pits.

Upcoming Renovations

César E. Chavez Park in west Modesto is undergoing renovation and is expected to reopen in summer 2026. The $8.5 million renovation began last fall and has been made possible by the Statewide Park Revitalization Program from a bond measure in Proposition 68. Once the renovation is complete, families can expect a lighted basketball court, a skate park and an aquatics facility with a pool, water tower and water slides.

“The really unique thing about César E. Chavez Park is really the Aquatic Center, as we really don’t have anything like that in Modesto,” said Nathan Houx, the city’s parks planning and development manager. “It’s basically like a small water park and a place where you can have birthday parties, hang out and play on the waterslides.”

In addition to renovations at Chavez Park, a cricket pitch is underway at Mary E. Grogan Community Park and will be ready by fall.

In the remaining summer months, families can turn to Modesto’s summer activity guide, at www.modestogov.com/483/Activity-Guide, for comprehensive information on classes, lessons and activities at parks. Houx also recommends that families follow the city’s social media channels for city events taking place at parks.

This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 10:11 AM.