Community Park
Location: 480 St. Mary's Road -- 1,500 feet south of the Lafayette Community Center
The 68-acre site of Lafayette Community Park contains a diverse array of topography, wildlife and recreation opportunities. The south-end has two sports fields that are used for baseball in the Spring and soccer in the Fall. There is a group picnic area that can be reserved and several single picnic tables. A Tot Playground with an adjoining lawn is near the picnic area and fields. A footbridge leads people from the parking lot, located at 480 Saint Mary’s Road, to the fields, picnic area and public restrooms. A natural trail meanders through the entire park. Click here for a park trail map.
Bordered by Las Trampas Creek and Saint Mary's Road is a Pétanque site (French version of bocce) and picnic tables. Access is provided by a pathway from the Lafayette Community Park’s south-end parking lot. Local Pétanque players successfully assisted the Parks, Trails & Recreation Department with the construction of the courts and provide ongoing maintenance, lessons and tournaments. Click for more information about the Lamorinda Pétanque Club.
Las Trampas Creek has formed a narrow meandering strip with steep-sided banks along the western edge of the park and Grizzly Creek runs along the northern edge. Zones of dense riparian vegetation accompany the creeks. Flatlands along Las Trampas Creek were originally floodplains, and prior to the 1960’s were used for growing walnuts and pears. Remnants of these orchards still remain. The rolling lands form the highest ground and comprise the majority of the overall site. They support a variety of vegetative communities, including a well-developed oak woodland, open grassland and two eucalyptus groves. Wildlife and vegetation include:
| trees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder |
Madrone |
Valley Oak | ||
| California Buckeye |
Black Walnut |
Mulberry |
||
| White Alder | Coast Live Oak | Arroyo Willow | ||
| California Bay | ||||
| shrubs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coyote Brush | Toyon | Canyon Gooseberry |
|
Ninebark |
Coffeeberry | Wild Rose |
| Blush Lupine | Honeysuckle | California Blackberry |
| Hazelnut | Tefoil | Snowberry |
| Poison Oak | ||
| birds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Red Tail Hawks | Stellar Jays | Woodpeckers |
| Great Horned Owls | Rufus Sided Towhees | Mocking Birds |
| Cooper's Hawks | Brown Towhees | Black Headed Grossbeaks |
| Sparrow Hawks | Turkey Vultures | Quail |
| California Jays | Sparrows | Red Shafted Flicker |
| Ravens | Western Bluebirds | Titmouse |
| White Breasted Nuthatch | Audubon Warbler | Ruby Crown Kinglet |
| Robin | Chickadee | |
| reptiles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Blue Bellied Lizards | Gopher Snakes | Garter Snakes |
| Northern Alligator Lizards | Ringed Neck Snakes | Green Racer Snakes |
| mammals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Opposum | Rats |
|
Raccoons |
Fox |
Moles |
|
Red Squirrels |
Skunks |
Gophers |
|
Mountain Lion |
Mice |
Shrews |
| amphibians | ||
|---|---|---|
| California Newts | California Tree Frogs | |
Click Here for a printable version of this chart
Opportunities including baseball or softball, soccer, lacrosse, hiking, walking, picnicking and observing nature.
Applications for use of the group picnic area and use of the sports fields are accepted up to one year in advance. All applications must be processed and paid at least 30 days in advance of the reservation date. If you are interested in applying for use of the fields or reserving the group picnic area, please call the Lafayette Parks & Recreation Department at (925) 284-2232 to check if the date you are requesting is available.
Applications to reserve the picnic area or sports fields are available here: Group Picnic Rental Sports Fields Rental Sports Fields Fees
Park & Field Rules
FOR THE ENJOYMENT & PRESERVATION OF OUR LAFAYETTE PARK FACILITIES, PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS:
- The hours of the Park are from dawn to dusk.
- Use of the Sports Fields & Batting Cages by permit only.
- Alcohol and smoking strictly prohibited.
- Dogs & Horses are not permitted on the Sports Fields. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Dog excrement & all trash must be put in trash containers or carried out of the Park.
- Motor vehicles, including motorbikes and motor scooters, are permitted in the parking area only. Vehicular access to the sports fields is by permit only.
- Fires are not permitted anywhere in the Park except in a barbecue unit approved by permit.
- Any games or activities such as golf, model airplanes, rocketry, or anything likely to endanger property or sports fields users are not permitted.
- Plants and wildlife are protected by laws. It is a violation to hunt, harm, feed, frighten, kill, trap or chase a wild animal or remove the young, egg, or nest of any animal. No wood or plant gathering is permitted.
- Firearms, hunting or fireworks are not permitted. It is a violation to possess or discharge any type of gun, including paint guns and air-soft rifles.
- It is a violation to write, mark, print or post signs on trees, buildings or public property. It is also a violation to cut, break, injure, deface, or disturb a building, sign, fence, bench, structure apparatus, equipment or other property.
- It is a violation to roller-skate, ride a bicycle, scooter or skateboard on grassy or planted areas, within the playground area, or to leave them where a person may trip or be injured.
- Use of threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language or gesture is prohibited.
- Pick up all litter and debris from park grounds and deposit in trash containers.
- Noise levels should not disturb neighbors (e.g. no amplified music).
- Park users will be held financially responsible for any damage to City property.
All Requirements and enforcement provisions of the Lafayette Municipal Code, Title 11Chapter 1, Sections 11-101 through 11-504, apply to use of City Parks and Sports Fields. Any person or persons who violate any of these regulations will be cited and/or fined.
Contact Phone Numbers:
Lafayette Police: (925) 284-5010
Public Works: (925) 934-3908
Parks, Trails & Rec Dept: (925) 284-2232
Click HERE to learn more about the Community Park Native Bee Houses!