Nealon Park — Attraction in Menlo Park

Nealon Park Review

Nealon Park is easily one of the standout parks in the Menlo Park area—tons of space, tons of vibes. The off-leash dog area is a major win if your pup needs to let loose and embrace their inner track star. Just a heads up though: no separate zones for big vs. small dogs, so if your mini doodle isn’t down to scrap with a golden retriever, maybe keep a close eye. Formalities fly out the window once the zoomies kick in. Weekday: 8AM-10AM, on the baseball field. Pretty tight window but I don't make the rules, I just make observations.

Menlo Park itself leans local—mostly mellow folks, families with stroller squads, and the occasional Stanford undergrad getting their steps in between seminars. The playground? Straight-up toddler paradise. Think colorful jungle gym meets sensory wonderland. If your kid’s under 10, they’ll be locked in for hours. Pro tip: weekends are prime time for birthday parties, so expect balloons, bounce balls, a rogue bubble machine, and at least one speaker bumping Kidz Bop at 11am.

One unique feature: there’s a little alleyway that connects the park straight to downtown Menlo, so if you’re the type to reward your dog walk with a latte or a croissant, it’s a solid move. Plus, there’s a daycare (Little House) right near the restrooms—which might explain all the pint-sized foot traffic during weekday mornings.

If you’re new, bring a paddle and slot it in the waiting queue—simple system, but don’t expect to just waltz on. The paddle queue setup is honestly reminiscent of old-school arcade days—just placing your quarter on the machine like, “I got next.” In this case, it’s a paddle, but the energy’s the same. It gets competitive fast. I once watched a sweet grandma drop a topspin serve that had some tech bro shaking his head like he just got hustled by Serena Williams in a visor. Think Bob Barker in Happy Gilmore (RIP legend)—unexpectedly lethal

The only downside? Getting a court can feel like you’re trying to get a reservation at French Laundry. But once you’re in rotation, the matches move fast, the competition is real, and the vibes are good. Just bring a little humility—and maybe...

Hi neighbors, I’m a mother of a 2-year-old and wanted to share something disturbing that happened today (June 30th) at Nealon Park in Menlo Park around mid-morning, near the large tree trunk area by the playground.

A nanny was there with a group of children and had a bunch of toys laid out. My son briefly picked up a toy and then walked away to chase a ball. A minute later, he ran back toward the toys. Before I could catch up, this nanny forcefully grabbed my son’s arm, and he started screaming in distress. She looked at me and said, “We are not sharing toys right now.” She continued pulling on his arm even as I was approaching. At no point did I give her permission to touch my child, and no words were exchanged before this happened.

I was shocked and upset. I managed to take a photo of her as we were leaving. I’m sharing this here to see if anyone recognizes this caregiver or has had a similar experience. I’ve reported the incident to the appropriate authorities, but I feel it’s important for other parents and guardians to be aware.

This photo was taken in a public park and is being shared strictly for community safety and awareness. If you know who she is or have seen concerning behavior before, please comment or message me privately.

Our kids deserve to feel safe when we take them...

This is only a review in regards to the dog park. This park is simply a huge baseball field that is actively utilized. The reason why I rated this as 2 stars is because the hours are impractical. The hours are from 0800 to 1000 Monday through Friday. You heard it ladies & gents! For only 2 hours on the weekday! Unless you live nearby to walk your dog there and have no job or kids to bring to school, I guess it will work. Please view photos to confirm the hours. Otherwise, it looks like an amazing place because it is rare to see such a huge grassy area for pups. Unless Willow Oaks which looks like a lumber yard, my dog would appreciate this setting more if we could...