July was National Parks and Recreation Month, and to celebrate, we asked our Link readers to share their favorite parks.

Local and regional parks received the highest number of votes; a whopping 68.8 percent of you selected them. And, more than 33 percent of you cited dog-friendliness as a highlight.

Managing Counsel Maria Shanle enthusiastically recommends Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. “This is the best dog park in the world, especially for dogs who love the water!” she says. “There are fantastic views, acres of off-leash dog space, lots of friendly dogs, a cafe and a dog washing shop.”

The overall most popular park was Redwood Regional Park, which earned nearly 19 percent of votes. “It’s shady and cool on hot days, and magical when it’s raining,” says Director of Integrated Marketing Rana Freedman. “Even though I’ve traversed miles and miles of it over the past 15 years, I never get bored.”

Administrative Officer Lizette Lim agrees. “Walking among the redwoods is awesome, and because there are so many miles of trails that are close to Berkeley and Oakland, you don’t have to go far to experience them!”

The second most beloved park was Lake Chabot Regional Park, with 13.5 percent of your votes. “It has lots of things to do, from hiking and boating to picnicking and fishing,” reports Pre-Award Team Lead Rebecca Stanek-Rykoff. “You can walk along a main path and run into tons of people you know, or hike along a quieter path into Anthony Chabot Regional Park.”

Further north, Legislative Director Michael Bedard recommends Ancil Hoffman Park, which he describes as “a 400-acre park 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento that contains oak woodlands and meadows along a broad, slow stretch of the American River. It’s a perfect spot to bird-watch; spot coyotes, deer, rattlesnakes, skunks and more; or take a short hike down to the river for skipping stones and cooling off.”

Administrative Assistant Allison James at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland with her dog, Hendrix.

And, some of you couldn’t limit your praise to only one park. Administrative Assistant Allison James cherishes the amazing views of the downtown Oakland and San Francisco skylines from scenic Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland where, she explains, “watching dock workers unload containers off the enormous container ships is fascinating.” But, her all-time favorite refuge is Ponto State Beach in Carlsbad, which she describes as, “Quiet. Hidden. Awesome fishing.”

Here are some additional parks recommended by your colleagues:

• Bodega Bay
• Joshua Tree National Park
• MacKerricher State Park
• Mission Dolores Park
• Point Reyes National Seashore
• Strawberry Creek Park
• Tilden Nature Area
• Yosemite National Park

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! If you missed our survey, feel free to share your favorite park in the comments.

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