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Home » Family Travel » SF Bay Area

Dennis the Menace Playground in Monterey, California

Dennis the Menace Playground at the El Estero Park Complex in Monterey, California holds special memories for adults who played there in their youth. The park first opened in 1956!  I learned about the park from my friend, Connie, and took the opportunity to visit the first time we were in the area.  Because of new safety standards, the park isn't the way everyone remembers it. But it's still fun for little kids who don't have any point of comparison.

Directions to Dennis the Menace Playground: Coming from downtown Monterey, take Del Monte Avenue and turn right on Camino Aguajito. Then turn right again onto Pearl Street and park at the playground on your right.

Highlights:

  • Double windy slides
  • Suspension bridge
  • Hedge maze
  • Climbing wall for older kids
  • Red roller slide
  • Stairway bridge
  • Crawl-through tunnels
  • Cypress forest shading the slides
  • A beautiful setting with water surrounding it

 

 

 

Checklist:

  • Restrooms nearby
  • Drinking fountain in the lion head at kid level
  • Ballfield with bleachers
  • Skate park
  • Official El Estero Park Complex page
  • Awesome official Dennis the Menace Playground video tour by the City of Monterey
  • Save the Train page on Facebook

Thanks to Connie for recommending the park back in 2009! And thanks to my husband and son for finally visiting this summer.

More SF Bay Area

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About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

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