Dennis the Menace Park
This park is so fun for kids! There is a huge old Southern Pacific railroad engine at the entrance. After looking at it, next kids will run to try the rock climbing wall. Parents can relax happily on the little grassy hills under a tree. Kids can climb up a ramp and cross a huge bridge that sways from side to side. Stretched out below them are a series of playgrounds! They can slide down two huge wavy green slides on the hill and then run through cement tunnels. Some retro 70s-looking playground equipment makes for some unusual climbs. There's plenty of sand to run around in. A red roller slide under the yellow arch is a popular spot. On the far end, kids can peek through the fence to see Monterey Skate Park on Lake El Estero. Around the park are views of Lake El Estero and the white swan paddle boats that you can rent. It's a merry atmosphere, and you can thank Monterey resident and cartoonist Hank Ketchum, who designed the park!
My son wanted to return to Dennis the Menace Park every day we were in Monterey.
Know the hours to make sure your kids aren't disappointed: This park is closed every Tuesday from September to May. Also, it doesn't open until 10am and it closes at dusk.
Entry to the park is free.
A place in Monterey that will delight is Monterey Bay Aquarium, with the most amazing exhibits, though it's ridiculously expensive and crowded. The jellyfish exhibit will put you in awe of nature's beauty and sense of humor.
From the aquarium you can walk to Lovers Point Park- this is such an intensely beautiful walk, and you can see seals in a little cove on your way and play at the beach at the end. Another fun thing to do is eat and shop at famous Cannery Row. Cool to explore is downtown Monterey, with its little Spanish arcades and nice cafes. It leads to Fisherman's Wharf, a touristy, colorful spot with water every shade of green and blue. Beside Fisherman's Wharf is Del Monte Beach, which can be bright and sunny or wild and wintery- there's no way to predict which one.
For another playground, up in the hills above Monterey Bay, check out Veteran's Memorial Park.
The rockclimbing wall- more fun to be had!
Relaxing for kids, and parents too!
The swaying bridge, and sandy playgrounds below!
The entrance to the swaying bridge!
The green curvy slides!
Paddle boats on Lake El Estero- the ocean can be seen in the distance.
The skate park you can see from Dennis the Menace Park (you must walk around the stadium to get to it).
Warm golden summer night at Dennis the Menace Park.
The railroad engine.
Beautiful Monterey.
The amazing new red slide that everyone adores!
The train wagon- great fun to climb! (No longer allowed unfortunately).
Large concrete tunnel!
Busy Saturday at Dennis the Menace Park!
Playing at one of the tunnels.
Coming out of a blue tunnel.
Tall playground.
Cable and slides.
From Highway 68, exit at Monterey. Turn right on Fremont, right on Camino El Estero, right on Pearl Street, and there is a parking lot.
The address is 777 Pearl St, Monterey CA 93940.
Hours: 10am to dusk. Closed Tuesdays from September to May. Entry to the park is free, and parking is also free.
Jill
Wed, 23 Nov 2011
This was the most wonderful thing I remember about my childhood, going to Dennis the Menace Park was a thrill for me and all of my friends.
CJ
Wed, 23 May 2012
It is a great park. I went growing up, and it was even better then. Many of the more adventurous slides and fixtures are gone, probably because they were actually fairly dangerous... but it is still a great park.
bri
Wed, 17 Feb 2010
Looks awesome and my kids were super excited. However ,the park was closed today and is every Tuesday. I feel like this should be listed on some website somewhere since we made it part of our plans and we came up short. Hopefully we will have time tomorrow.
Nick
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
Enjoyable!
Deb
Tue, 29 Jun 2010
Are dogs allowed in the park?
awcoppelia
Tue, 23 Feb 2010
A park in Midland TX is supposed to be an exact replica of this. I grew up with the Midland TX park and it has only been renovated once. Its weird going to this one and seeing the similarities and differences. We think the one in Midland TX is actually closer to the original now, since they still have 95% of the original equipment. But this park is prettier and newer looking (the TX park looks like its frozen in 1956). It is weird that we only knew recently that it was based on the CA park!
SANDRA
Tue, 19 Apr 2011
This park is awesome, i have taken my grandson there and he has always had a ball. I am now planning on taking my two three year old granddaugthers this summer to watch them go crazy and have the time of their lives. I suggest you take your kids, grandkids and your friend and their kids I guarantee that they will want to return with or without you. ENJOY
Dave
Tue, 17 Aug 2010
Great place for the little ones and for a reminder of the things that we didn't have when we were their age.
kirstin
Tue, 03 Nov 2009
it is lots of fun im 10 and its very fun and cool you should go there i wish there was one in bakersfeild
Angie
Thu, 25 Feb 2010
We have never been to Dennis the Menace Park in Monterrey, CA.
Is it free?
Thanks for responding,
aparille@verizon.net
Katy
Thu, 12 Jan 2012
from the picture it looks like a standard high quality play park for kids aged 2 and up (till 10 years I would hazard a guess).
Nick
Sun, 16 Mar 2008
This was my favorite place growing up in Monterey. It has some really awesome and unique play equipment that certainly influenced me to become an architect.
I hope they keep what's left of the older welded-steel play equipment, as it is truly one of a kind.
Also, the train is amazing.
Martha
Sun, 14 Mar 2010
Yes the park is free. I live in this area and have spent many wonderful hours at that park with kids. Awsome place. Bring your camera.
juan
Sun, 10 Apr 2011
I love this park.=)
Editor
Sun, 04 Jul 2010
Hi Deb,
Apparently there is an off-leash area in El Estero Park, which is the larger park that Dennis the Menace the park is located in. Check out this link:
http://www.yelp.com/list/bring-your-dog-along-monterey-area-monterey
Dee
Sat, 29 Dec 2007
Our kids loved this park when they were little. We have had many fun visits there over the years. Best of all, it's free. Your kids won't be disappointed.
Lisa
Sat, 24 Apr 2010
can you BBQ at Dennis The Menace park...
Editor
Sat, 24 Apr 2010
About BBQing at Dennis the Menace: There is a group BBQ area at El Estero Park, which is the park that Dennis the Menace playground is in. But I don't know how close the BBQ area is to the playground. Good luck!
Don
Sat, 23 Jun 2012
Cool stuff!!
Bpon
Sat, 23 Jun 2012
Real cool
Oscar
Sat, 20 Mar 2010
We stayed overnight in Monterey as part of our honeymoon tour down Hwy 1, and we stopped and played at Dennis the Menace Park. It was chilly and had just rained, but we had lots of fun in the park, and what a beautiful distant ocean backdrop to boot! My wife and I are 32 & 30 years old, respectively, and we acted like kids, which is something we don't normally do. I wish I had that kind of park to enjoy when I was growing up!
Oscar & Sara G.
Omaha, Nebraska
Manfred
Sat, 19 Jun 2010
Best site Ive seen in years-You go Dennis The Menace....
Carissa
Sat, 03 May 2008
This was my favorite Park growing up. It seems much smaller now. It seemed so safe playing there. The maze was always my favorite. I can't wait to go back.
Christine
Fri, 30 Dec 2011
We took a day trip to Monterey and wanted to find a place for our two year old to burn some energy and be free. This is a great park and there is lots to do in a fairly confined area. Kids could spend hours at this park going on the different slides, the 3-4 play structures, life size steel train, maze, etc. The only thing that I did not like is the fact that the bathroom did not have a changing station close by for my 2 month old, however, there is one at the visitor center bathroom, but it is a good distance to walk to. Overall, this is an incredible park, free and lots of fun!!!
vero
Fri, 02 Oct 2009
last week my kids and fam visited the dennis the menace park forthe very first time and when the time came up to leave my kids started to cry because they seem to love this preschool park i\'ll never foget the dennis the menace park.
Nitzana
Fri, 01 Jul 2011
This park looks so AWESOME compared to our Midland, Texas Dennis the Menace Park. My son would have a BLAST if we could go there but CA is too far. How about calling Midland and telling them to get it updated to the way your looks...
Last Updated: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:49:10 GMT
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