Amador Valley Park
Amador Park is a large, beautiful park in Pleasanton. It has barbecue areas and several playgrounds as well as a sports field, a soccer field and a lighted baseball diamond. In addition there's also a swimming pool, tennis courts and horseshoe pits as well as restrooms with showers. The park is covered by lush lawns and landscaping making it inviting for picnics, family gatherings or just to relax on one of the many benches which provide ample shade from the hot summer sun.
History
Amador Park was opened in 1984 taking its name from the Amador Valley where it is situated. This valley was first settled by Don Jose Manuel Nuñez who had been awarded land here for his service to the Pueblo de San José. He began farming and became quite successful. The city of Pleasanton has adopted the name "Amador'' for its own use in commemoration of his success.
The park was established by Mike Spence who also served as the first City Councilmember to represent the newly incorporated City of Pleasanton, his wife Brenda Spence and others on the original Amador Park Committee. This committee had a goal to create a multi-purpose park for use by families in west Pleasanton where there were no parks at this time. They wanted a place close enough to be easily accessible yet far away from development so that noise would not be an issue. The Estates area provided all these requirements plus excellent views which continue today with its location at the top of Amador Valley.
At first, there were only two pieces of property to choose from that met their criteria. Spence built a trailhead with signage pointing out an informal trail which led to the second property where he proposed building the park. The council liked both properties but because of cost concerns they chose to use just one which later became known as Estates Park. It was also used for overflow parking during Pleasanton's centennial celebration in 1989. City Councilmember Marsha Mouton had been a member of the Amador Park committee and helped with the negotiations. The developer agreed to dedicate this land as parkland provided that an access road could be built from Stanley Boulevard at a later date after the homes were sold. In return for this concession, Pleasanton would expand Estates Park by purchasing adjacent properties to improve circulation within the development, which is now called Stone Valley. This became known as Stone Valley Parkway through the area and Stone Valley Road off of Hopyard Road. A separate connector road was approved traveling south across Arroyo Drive between two new housing tracts then along a private easement behind existing homes to connect to Milton Road without crossing any additional property belonging to other owners.
What to Expect
The park has much to offer with its fenced dog play area (a much loved addition), large open grassy spaces, sports fields for soccer or other activities, three reservable ramadas for groups to congregate under cover when needed plus many trees along its paths which act as windbreaks in certain locations. There are two trailheads one on either side of Amador Creek (separated by Stanley Boulevard) which can accommodate; horse trailers if needed. The lower portion of this trail is not well suited for horses due to the steepness of the terrain but there is still plenty of room down at creek level where they can enjoy off during hot summer days especially if they are given a bath afterwards. There is also an upper trailhead on the opposite side of the creek that provides access to Arroyo Park and many trails in the Open Space Preserve further up into the hillsides which afford panoramic views of Pleasanton and beyond.
Amador Creek
Amador Creek surrounds much of this park and offers places to view wildlife including ducks and geese, cranes, herons, blue jays, quail, wild turkeys (in season) or other birds you might see here if you keep your eyes open. The creek itself has beaver ponds along its banks where there was another water issue years ago when someone tried to change its course. This did not work but it did affect what we now know as the duck pond, a man-made (artificial) body of water that is fed by Amador Creek. There are many paths that wind throughout the park and to Arroyo Park as well if you wanted to walk further up the creek to where it meets Iron Horse Trail somewhere along its path where there is also another trailhead for access to other areas.
Pleasanton, California is blessed with some of the area's most amazing parks you shouldn't miss. Here's a list of some of our favorites:
- Mission Hills Park
- Bernal Community Park
- Muirwood Community Park
- Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
- Val Vista Park
- Moller Park
- Creekside Park
- Alviso Adobe Community Park
- Amador Valley Park
All of these wonderful schools are located just a short distance from our amazing location at 4900 Hopyard Road, Suite 100 in Pleasanton! Stop by for a visit anytime!
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