Let the Fur Fly at Willard Park

Bubba and I strolled over to Willard Park to check out the local dog diggs. 

Located on the corner of Hillegass and Derby, is a local hot spot where coeds like to sunbathe on the weekends. It’s definitely the perfect place to romp with our furry friends! Tall redwoods offer shade for picnicking while local dogs socialize and sniff every inch of the park. The park’s large grassy area is large enough to play a game of catch or frisbee offering  some great exercise. Children frolic on a colorful jungle gym, hanging from monkey bars while their parents play meet-and-greet.

Willard — much like every neighborhood pocket in Berkeley — also comes with its own little piece of history. 

During the Vietnam War Willard Park was known as Ho Chi Minh Park by the community activists. On Bastille Day in the summer of 1969, protestors led a march from Ho Chi Minh (Willard) park to People's Park. The park was later named after Frances Willard, a suffragette, educator, and temperance leader. 

Decades later, Willard Park is still a sacred gathering spot. The park is spacious, green and well maintained. Willard offers water for dogs directly beneath the human drinking fountain, and biodegradable plastic bags are generously provided for picking up after our canine companions.

There is also plenty of leeway for well mannered dogs off leash. The locals require respect among the fur; in other words if you don’t know your manners they ask that you stay on the leash. Courtesy is everything at Willard.

Bubba met two new local fur pals while I spoke with their parents.  The locals gave me the low-down on dog etiquette.  Their biggest concern was that if Bubba and I revealed Willard Park as a place to take the family fur, everyone would want to come.

"The beauty of this park is its serenity," said one of the locals. 

We assured them that the Patch was hyper local and we would do our best to only let the neighbors know.