Occupying a full city block in the heart of West Oakland, beautiful DeFremery Park is a landmark destination steeped in Oakland history and culture. The park became Oakland’s first municipal playground in 1907 on a site that radiates outward from a Victorian mansion built by James de Fremery in the 1860s.

The WPA trained recreation leaders at DeFremery Park during the Great Depression and the USO hosted social events for African American servicemen during World War II. Starting in the late 1960s, DeFremery Park was a local meeting place for the Black Panther Party to hold rallies and offer social services.

After Bobby Hutton was killed by the Oakland police in 1968, DeFremery Park was unofficially renamed Lil’ Bobby Hutton Memorial Park and still hosts an annual memorial celebration.

Park Activities

With its many large, mature trees and vibrant green fields, DeFremery Park is a calm and serene setting brought to life by locals using the park’s many facilities.

The park’s swimming pool and Town Park skateboarding ramps attract young children, teens and families from the across the city, while community members gather for birthday parties and meetings at the park’s BBQ areas and picnic circles. Reviewers call DeFremery Park “West Oakland’s finest” and “a nice place for kids and families” with the “best skatepark in all of the Bay.”

DeFremery Park earns high marks for its active recreation center and community calendar, with programs, classes and events scheduled throughout the year.