Playground: brand new playground which opened in November 2023. Mostly designed for kids older than 4 but still plenty for younger kiddos to enjoy. The flooring is rubber and there was plenty of shade from trees. There are four benches to sit on but lots of seating on a half wall surrounding the park. Wooden and rope structure. Bathrooms: a short walk away from the playground. Parking: Free 30 minute street parking right next to the playground. Payed street parking ($1.25 an hour) and a payed parking lot next door. Location: Next to a moderately busy street, across from the New Childrens Museum and Convention Center. This park has a bit of everything: a dog park, non playable water feature, grass, benches to eat on, ping pong tables, foosball tables, bags/corn-hole, workout equipment, etc. Safety: No unhoused, a little bit of trash, fully fenced in playground. You can avoid the dog park by coming in from the west side.

I love coming to the children's playground. It is small but it has the basics any child would need to expend any extra energy. There are a pair of swings, four bounce boards and an enclosed climbing frame. The ground beneath all the play equipment has a bouncy rubber layer should there be any falls. The grass area is perfect for sitting and enjoying the sun or rolling around in and there is a 'Bubble Lounge' daily from 10am to 3:30pm. There is also a concrete floor shaded area that is great for skating or biking. Across the street, however, is a very different story. Unless you're looking for pine cones (and even then I would try looking somewhere else) I wouldn't go near this side of the children's park. There is nothing there to attract children. Only dirt, cement blocks, a thicket of pine trees and a whole lot of homeless people. That side really should not be called a children's park.

It's a pretty little park right off the trolley that had a big pool with fountains that was initially built for children. Sadly, it's now filled with homeless folks who are likely the reason for the "No wading" signs all over the wading pool. While we never felt unsafe there, an officer came to speak to us and warned that we wouldn't want to go in that water. Sadly, for the cost of posting a security guard (to keep adults from using the wading pool) this would be pleasant place. The pine trees are lovely, and more native (and provide better shade) than the palm trees, but I guess the tourists want the fantasy, so that might be another contributor to this park's decline. Too bad. :(

The recently constructed playground has a fresh, industrial vibe that wonderfully evokes nostalgia. It's enclosed with fencing and surrounded by benches, offering a comfortable and secure environment. Adjacent to it is an impressive dog park, well-maintained restrooms, a variety of exercise equipment, and scenic water walkways. The park was lit at night so we felt safe was able to see the kids play. Recommend.
Playground
High quality and huge structure.
Restrooms
Restrooms also adjacent and on same block
Dog-friendliness
Dog park adjacent to playground. Both fenced in.

What is the deal with San Diego and Cali and the lack of effort to handle the homeless epidemic here? The name of this park is a joke. Homeless Park would be more apt. Do not bother bringing the kids here, unless you want a million questions, such as 'why is that man taking a bath in the fountain?' SD needs more open space for tax paying residents. It is not fair that we work hard, pay taxes and then have to cede our sliver of open space to the homeless. Our government needs to get its act together and get something done about this issue. It just is not fair.

I like the park and the location, especially its proximity to the Children's Museum makes it a nice place for lunch with the family after a morning at the museum. The only problem is it is generally populated by several transient people, sometimes many. Keep that in mind if you're planning on visiting with your friends. The martin Luther King promenade goes through the SW edge of the park and creates a very cool effect as it crosses over the water feature at the park, it feels as though it's floating. Park is surrounded by metered parking.

The remodeled this park and it’s Amazing My two boys loved it. It had a large playground and many parkour type activities. It has public restrooms too. There is a dog park next to it as well. This park is a great addition to the downtown area. It’s located right in front of the San Diego Children Museum.
Playground
Very large playground with many activities
Restrooms
Clean and safe
Dog-friendliness
Dog park is small but cool
Picnic area
Lots a tables to sit and eat or enjoy a cup of coffee

Awesome park across from the new children's museum. Plenty to do and also has workout stations next to this. Plenty of climbers, huge slide. Also has a water splash area. And a dog park right next door. Has some street parking on union or second . Also a private lot next to the park for either here or the museum Highly recommend.
Playground
Plenty of options from climbers to sliders and balance walkers.
Dog-friendliness
Has a small dog park right next to this.

Needed a Park fast for 4 kids, googled this place, when we arrived for a family picnic, there were literally over 50 homeless spread out, no where to sit and eat on hard packed dirt covered in pine needles, nothing for "children". The photo of the fountain is a nice showpiece for the city and on the busy side where cars are is grass, but nothing for "children". To scary to stay. We got immediately back in the car.

The city has allegedly been fixing this place for years but nothing has happened yet. The water feature needs fixing or replacing. Replacement with a more water friendly alternative like the one at the county building waterfront park would make sense. Homeless folk and drug dealers gather here because all of the pine trees hide the activities. Nothing in this park is appealing to children or to neighbors.

This park was gifted to the children of San Diego. It consists of a large reflecting pool for the Marriott that kids can not swim or wade in surrounded by a dark pine forest and dirt. There is absolutely nothing here for children. Great gift!? Kids should cross the street to the children's museum and their public playground.

Homeless Encampments. This has been a constant annoyance about this "potentially beautiful " park. This is slated to be renovated in 2019 I believe, and will be complete around 2020 or 2021. Can't wait. ***Update 7/26/22: Renovations underway since 2021, and I believe should be complete before the end of the year***

Nice small dog play area, there is a large kids play area, ping pong tables, fooze ball tables and other items available. Nice sitting areas.
Playground
Nice new kids play area
Restrooms
Restrooms available
Dog-friendliness
Small enclosed dog park area
Picnic area
Areas for picnic

Love this area during Comic Con... Great place to relax out the sun while hitting all the entertainment outside convention center....... They use to let kids in the fountian, now I wouldnt even attempt it. :p ........... Has a small park for kids (looks like a jail area)

Family visited for the first time after going the New Children's Museum. Very disappointed to see that this park has become a homeless encampment. Bushes smell like they are used as a loo. Taxpayers deserve better protection of public property. Won't take my kids here.

I think this park is a great idea, but poor execution? When I was there it was cold for San Diego, and I saw a grown man bathing in the water. I mean, you have to bathe somewhere, I'm sure. But I don't think that's what they intended it for? It is a neat spot, though.

No children, just homeless. There is a plan in the making to redo the entire park. However, it's been a couple of years in the making and zero progress. The mayor and the city council needs to get their act together, in reference to the park and the homeless issue!

Very nice. Great for kids. Close to convention center, crowds and parking may be an issue depending on event at convention center. But worth a visit. For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of GOD is eternal life through Christ JESUS our Lord

So SAD! Beautiful water and fountains. I use to think "what a great place to take photos." Not any more! Our city planners should be embarrassed! The HL have taken over. Right where thousands of visitors see this. Come on city managers, DO SOMETHING!

Im sure it was a great park when it was first opened. The south section has a nice water feature and shallow pool. The North section is a rustic park with no grass but plenty of shade. Unfortunately many have made this area their temporary home.

Beautiful, however its over run at night with homeless people and our first journey through it, there was a male pleasuring himself in the wide open, sad. .disgusting. Wish the city would help the people who sleep there to find a better space

In the time this park has been closed for construction, SDSU has demolished an old stadium, built a new stadium and promises to finish the river park by the end of the year. This "park" has been closed for years now re-routing foot traffic

I felt compelled to write a review specifically to address "James and Heather Grant's" review... 2 months ago this park was torn apart and they could not have visited it if they tried. This park is undergoing a HUGE renovation that will

This is a known homeless camp that hasn't had its named changed. If you've been to the "Children's Pool" only to realize the area has been declared as a protected space for wildlife, this is similar: it is no longer a safe place for

A nice little park but I wish it was enclosed better for safety reasons as it is really close to busy streets. With little ones who can run faster than you that's problematic. Also, I wish there was more playground equipment.

It was a good place to eat lunch with a group. However, it appears to be a gathering place for people doing drugs and others with mental issues. The daily entertainment was a Schizophrenic who was always arguing with himself.

The park looks okay, but depressingly, there is no wading allowed in the water. It's nice and shallow, with overhead sprinklers. Looks like a great way to cool off in the heat...if it were allowed. Ducks were cute though.

If and when the new playground opens.... the homeless will flock to it. The city and the mayor will need to prove how much they care for their citizens and children when this place is finally open to the public.

A nice place to go and relax with or without children! Wet your feet a little! It would be even nicer if people weren't "camping out" there. Everyone is welcome there but the extra "luggage" is not a great look.

The place is beautiful. The design is extraordinary and gives you a relaxing peaceful feeling. It feels comfortable there. The only setback would be that it has a high potential of becoming a homeless refuge.

really neat but also very simple. a lot of homeless people around but they were nice and didn’t even ask for money or other things. doesn’t bother us but might be an important information to some other people

The name is kind of misleading. There is basically nothing for kids to do here, especially with all the homeless people. It's relatively clean, and the water is nice. But again, nothing for kids.

I like it there too but some people come by and stop to do things that they are supposed to do in private and the residents who live nearby come by to take photos of the people in the park

Peaceful! and free of Adult influence that is by...,. Those Parents, who don't Understand (what it feels like to be a Child . WW). drop the beat Jazz. Will. we are on in 5 ! …

Children's Park is no longer Children's Park it is the hangout for the homeless people to sit and congregate with nowhere to go #Sandiegoca #Childrenspark #DowntownSD #Marina #SDOutReach

Some much needed updates will be coming to the park very soon. Lets hope the park becomes more child and people friendly. In the current situation it is right now the park is a flop

Not a child’s park at all. Downtown San Diego and homeless people everywhere. I read previous reviews and hoped for the best. I was extremely disappointed and left within 5 minutes.

It's just a little park by the Convention Center. It has a large wading style shallow pool to cool you off and a number of small mounds. Nothing special there at all.

Great new playground in downtown SD but there are no bathrooms. Poor city planning for what could have been a great kids park. There are some bushes in an emergency.

This is really nice park in front of the Children's Museum. I really that the city decided to put such a lovely park in the Midwest of lots of hotels and businesses.

It is truly sad that this park is not suitable for children with the homeless, bums and addicts taking over the park. An example for solving our homeless problem.

Sidewalks need cleaning... Water had been sitting for so long that it had mold. It was otherwise a great place to relax and wet your feet on a hot day.

This Children's Park is close to many of the downtown San Diego attractions including the Marriott Marquis the Hyatt in the San Diego Convention Center

The park continues to go downhill. There is not a blade of grass left--only ugly, loose dirt that shifts and blows under your feet. What gives

It looked like it could or might have been really nice at one point. Theres a lovely foundtain that's unfortunately just surrounded by dirt.

This is a cute little urban playground right across from the Children's museum. There is a swing and bubbles and a great play structure.

Nice quite low key park, various areas of play with a little "trail" to follow along as you leave. Nearby trolley, convention center.

Ugliest park in America. Barren dirt and homeless abound. Worst possible excuse known to man to call this place a "children's park."

Pretty lame. A decent sized space with almost nothing to play on. There’s a jungle gym which is locked at 3pm. What a waste.

My nine year old said this is her new favorite playground. Perfect to walk to from Seaport Village with the little ones.

The actual park isn't equipped for a family outing... kids period! But across the street at the museum is kid friendly!

Please do not go here this is not what we want you to think San Diego is it's full of homeless people it's very scary

For me, any park with shade and a place to sit is an okay park. It's not a bad park, nor a good park, just a park.

This park is nice except the homless are dangerously close, I understand it's hard to do anytjing about it though

No grass, just dirt. Homeless hangout. Not the place to bring kids. No playground. Lots of "NO" signs everywhere.

Cute little park downtown with a little pool with duckies. Nice for taking a break from walking around downtown.

my five year old says it should be called adult park, because there is nothing for children to do in this park.

At first it’s beautiful water features make it fascinating, however this area gets quit a few homeless around.

Nice scenic walk. However, allot of transient activity. Parking is $10 for all day. Beautiful architecture!

It would be a nice park but I don't feel safe when I'm there, at night I wouldn't recommend it to anybody.

This is almost like homeless people central. You will rarely see people here actually enjoying the park.

Fun cute park. Just make sure small children are attended by adult. Also keep an eye out for splinters.

Beautiful area, large parking lot and ample free street parking, fun to explore. Feel the breeze!

It was very nice when it first opened unfortunately there is a lot of homeless people there now.

In a nice area of town along a well kept walkway. The children's playground its self is lacking.

It's a beautiful park but the day we were there, there were too many homeless people everywhere

It's a very cute park but all the homeless people camped out make it feel a little less safe.

Nice place, has lots of potential but it is sparsely equipped for a children's playground.

Not far from public transportation and it sits right on The Harbor. It's just simply Nice.

It's a nice park with elegant modern seating areas and play equipment for the young ones.

It could of been a beautiful park but it was very dirty and needed some serious cleaning.

One of the play structures is not open to public just yet. Kids were a bit disappointed.

Nothing for kids, unsafe, a lot of homeless people doing their laundry or taking bath,

Great place to catch Pokemon when people aren't training like Rocky all over the place

As far as a scenic children friendly places downtown goes this is the place to visit

Good park to relax collect yourself and take in the view of the convention center.

Wide open area with plenty of shade on one side and a huge fountain on the other.

A lot of homeless people and there is a lot of garbage. It also smells there too.

The park it's not bad at all, but there is too much homeless people around here.

Beautiful design. Water feature is not treated for wading, swimming or bathing.

Loose dirt. Zero grass, only pine trees. But close to the trolley& playground.

Very quaint, and lots of fun, when visiting friends. Very visually pleasing!

Very nice, clean but needs shade. It gets too hot there with not much trees.

Portions of park under renovation. Sadly, a lot of homeless surround park.

Too Many homeless, no grass...this park is not for children at all...sad

I went for an Undertale meetup, it could be cleaner and more decorated.

They took out the play equipment and sooo many homeless everywhere

Every so many feet there a comment he's said I love those saying.

Nice park except for many homeless. Police patrols so it's safe.

Didn't see any kids. Looked to be more of a homeless encampment.

Be a nice place for children if they can keep the homeless out

A good park. Tons of people but good. I would go there again

Bring the kids change of clothes, they will want to get wet.

Great place to hang out and bring your pets an families

Nice area? I got jumped and stabbed twice in this park!

love the ducks and its nice and quiet plus the scenery

I would like to prefer trade marked San Diego weather!

Small little covered park area for the kids to play.

My kids loved this place. It's safe fun and peaceful

We had ffg ood delivered here, that's pretty coool