Hot Spots to Burn Off Your Child’s Extra Energy

As the weather heats up, so does the need to burn off the excess energy your child seems to have these days. With the days staying lighter later, it's paramount that you run your little ones so they’re tuckered out come bedtime.

But running out of energy isn’t the only reason to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. A national study released by the Outdoor Industry Foundation found that most kids are introduced to outdoor activities by parents, friends, family and relatives, and for kids ages 6 to 17, “fun” is the motivator in participating in outdoor recreation.

So, it’s a win-win. Exercise, fresh air, fun and burning energy—what are you waiting for?

Here are a few South Bay outdoor hot spots that will provide your child with engagement and interest, while accomplishing your goal of getting those extra wiggles out.

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Located at 21979 San Fernando Ave. in Cupertino, Blackberry Farm opened for the 2011 season on Saturday. A local favorite, Blackberry Farm offers trails, natural habitats and wildlife, barbecue stations, a pool and a waterslide.

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McClellan Ranch Park is home to 18 acres and was a horse ranch in the 1930s and '40s. A natural museum, community garden, as well as a ranch house, milk and livestock barns and a replica of Baer’s Blacksmith Shop are just a few of the attractions here. Located at 22221 McClellan Rd. in Cupertino.

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Wilson Park has the city’s Ceramic Center, as well as 4.8 acres of picnic areas, fitness course and play structures. The park is at south Portal Avenue near Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino.

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Memorial Park is 28 acres with children’s play area, softball fields, tennis courts and numerous picnic tables and barbecue pits.

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Located at 10455 Miller Ave. in Cupertino, this 13-acre park features two play areas, three soccer fields a half-court basketball court and a pedestrian/bike bridge over the Calabazas Creek.

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Cupertino’s newest park, Franco Park first opened on Jan. 22. A .61-acre park, Franco is a neighborhood park with picnic tables, benches and a playground at the 10981 Franco Court at Homestead Road.

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo:

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo is in Kelley Park at 1300 Senter Rd., San Jose. The park has provided fun and educational family entertainment with its park, zoo, amusement park and puppet theater since 1961.

Los Gatos Creek Trail:

This nearly 11-mile running trail connects the city of Campbell with the town of Los Gatos, ending at Lexington Reservoir County Park. The trail is a paved pathway great for walking, running, cycling, and skating.

Alum Rock Park:

Alum Rock Park is 718 acres with two spacious playgrounds, 149 picnic tables and 85 BBQs. The park has numerous trails and is great for biking, hiking and running.

Raging Waters:

Raging Waters San Jose is Northern California 's Largest Waterpark, offering 23 acres. Raging Waters features high-speed water slides and a 350,000-gallon Wave Pool and The Pirate's Cove—an interactive themed water fort. Raging Waters is off Tully Road on the grounds of beautiful Lake Cunningham Regional Park in San Jose and is accessible from major highways.

Coyote Creek Parkway Path:

This scenic parkway meanders along Coyote Creek for 15 miles and stretches from Kelley Park to Morgan Hill. The north portion features a paved multi-use trail popular with bicyclists, roller-bladers and hikers. There is an equestrian trail paralleling the paved trail south of Metcalf Road. Public transit is available.

The Campbell Skate Park:

The Campbell Skate Park is at the Campbell Community Center, just off Campbell Avenue, west of Winchester Boulevard. The Campbell Skate Park is open during specified hours, and skaters must have a liability release form on file and wear safety gear. Only open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 3 p.m. to dark; Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to dark; and weekend days, noon to dark. The park is closed Mondays for skateboarding classes.

John D. Morgan Park:

Located at 540 W. Rincon Ave. in Campbell, Morgan Park is the city’s largest park at 32 acres. The park contains two softball fields, a soccer bowl, open play-fields, two separate playgrounds, four tennis courts, two sand volleyball courts, four horseshoe pits, restrooms, open fields and water play features. There are sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, tennis courts and softball diamonds, as well as three group picnic areas available for reservation.

Campbell Park:

Campbell Park is between downtown Campbell and Highway 17 and has a variety of children’s play equipment, two full-length, night-lit (until 10 p.m.) basketball courts with spectator seating, par course equipment, small open turf areas and restrooms. It is a major access point to the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

Edith Morley Park:

Edith Morley Park is adjacent to the percolation ponds and is an environmental spot, boasting a community garden, picnic tables, wildflowers and an marsh and wetland area for observation. Located at 615 Campbell Technology Parkway (off McGlincy Lane) in Campbell.

Jack Fischer Park:
Jack Fisher Park is a young child’s playland with a variety of play equipment and an interactive water feature, a “bee hive” hill with walking path and large, open fields. It is at the corner of Abbot Avenue and Pollard Road in Campbell.

For a comprehensive list of South Bay parks, see the Santa Clara County Department of Parks and Recreation or San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services.