Marin Playground Profile: Pioneer Park in Novato

March 18, 2024

Pioneer Park has long been a favorite of families in Marin. This big nine-acre park in western Novato has newly refurbished multiple playgrounds, rolling green lawns, picnic areas, and shady trees. It's a great place for a birthday party, too, with plenty of room for bounce houses and active fun.

The park also boasts lighted and recently remodeled tennis courts, a gazebo, and a historic pioneer cemetery to explore on the hill adjacent to the park.

Park Features

The newly upgraded playground area features a tot lot (for ages 2–5) as well as a large play structure for older kids (ages 5–12). The redesigned playgrounds have rubberized play surfaces, plenty of umbrellas for shade, perimeter fencing, and amenities designed for accessibility and inclusive play. Picnic tables and charcoal BBQ grills are located throughout the park, and there's a large covered group BBQ area adjacent to the playground that's perfect for parties.

One of the best things about Pioneer Park are the lush rolling lawns surrounded by shady trees, the perfect place for games and for spreading out a blanket and relaxing on a sunny day. Paved pathways circle the park and lead up onto the adjacent knoll which is the site of Novato's oldest cemetery, which houses the final resting places of some of the city's founding citizens.

Amenities

Pioneer Park is a great place to relax and spend the afternoon. Amenities include:

Plenty of picnic tables
Numerous BBQ grills
Group BBQ area
Gazebo
Drinking fountains
Restrooms
Tennis courts

To reserve picnic areas and other facilities, visit www.novato.org.

If You Go

Pioneer Park is located at 1007 Simmons Lane, Novato 94945. To get there, take Highway 101 to the Delong Avenue exit. Head west on Delong, which will become Diablo Avenue when you pass Redwood Boulevard. Turn right on Novato Boulevard and follow it west. Turn right onto Simmons Lane. Pioneer Park will be on your immediate left. The parking area can get full on busy days, but plenty of street parking is available on Simmons Lane and Novato Boulevard, and there's a second entrance off Novato Boulevard.